Portola Valley Elementary

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.