Summary:
The Portola Valley Elementary district, serving a small, affluent community, consists of two high-performing K-8 schools with a total enrollment of 495 students, consistently ranking among the very best in California.
Both Corte Madera (grades 4-8) and Ormondale Elementary (grades K-3) demonstrate exceptional academic results, with student proficiency in English and math more than double the state averages. Corte Madera is ranked in the top 1% of all California middle schools, while Ormondale's third graders show particular strength in mathematics. A key factor in this success is remarkably high student attendance, with chronic absenteeism rates at both schools around 4%, far below the state average of over 19%.
While both schools excel, there are some differences: Corte Madera has a lower student-teacher ratio and higher per-student spending, which may reflect different middle school program needs. The district's cohesive administration ensures strong performance across all grade levels, with eighth graders at Corte Madera achieving over 92% proficiency in English. The combination of ample resources, high community engagement, and effective district policies creates an environment where nearly all students in Portola Valley achieve academic proficiency.
Thank you for your feedback!