Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Palo Alto High

Public Grades 9-12

76^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,135 California High Schools

Better than 96% of California high schools

Summary

Palo Alto High serves 1,891 students in grades 9–12 in Palo Alto, in the highly ranked Palo Alto Unified district. Its 2025–26 results were especially strong compared with California: 82% of students were proficient in English language arts (ELA), 78% in math and 68% in science, exceeding state results by 33, 40 and 32 percentage points, respectively. The most important takeaway is that Palo Alto High is among the area’s strongest schools academically, though it does not lead its district in every subject.

Among seven nearby schools with 2025–26 all-grade scores, Palo Alto High ranked first in ELA and second in math and science. Its ELA result was close to Henry M. Gunn High’s (82% versus 82%, or 82.3% versus 82.2% rounded to one decimal to show the difference); Gunn scored higher in math and science. Within the district, Palo Alto High was 1 point higher in ELA, but 2 points lower in math and 7 points lower in science. One grade-specific result deserves attention: 12th-grade science proficiency was 18%, below both the district’s 29% and state’s 33%, despite a 68% all-grade science result. Graduation was strong at 97%, but chronic absenteeism was 15%, compared with 10% in the district.

Scores improved from 2022–23 to 2025–26: ELA rose 7 points, math 6 and science 17, and the school’s advantages over state results widened in all three subjects. SchoolDigger ranks Palo Alto High 76th of 2,137 statewide, at the 96th percentile with five stars; its district ranks 31st of 968. SchoolDigger’s ranking for Hispanic Students was at the 79th percentile, 17 points below the school’s overall percentile, but rose from 71 in 2023–24. Its ranking for Multi-racial Students climbed from the 88th to the 97th percentile over that period. The student–teacher ratio was 16.7 in 2024–25, and 13% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible that school year.

1,891

Students ?

16.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$33,090

Per pupil spending ?

13.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

50 Embarcadero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94301-2321

(650) 329-3701

District: Palo Alto Unified

Feeder schools for Palo Alto High:

Elementary:	Addison Elementary
	Duveneck Elementary
	Escondido Elementary
	Walter Hays Elementary
Middle:	Frank S. Greene Junior Middle

Racial breakdown:

Asian:

37.5%

White:

31.4%

Hispanic:

15.2%

See top rated California high schools

Compare Palo Alto High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2016 → 96th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (76% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 4% of California high schools

✓97% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school76%

District avg79%

California avg42%

76^th of 2,135

California public high schools ?

Top 4%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3High Schools in the Palo Alto Unified

45^th of 1,530Palo Alto Unified among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	95.5	76 of 2135	96.4%	★★★★★
2025	95.4	88 of 2162	95.9%	★★★★★
2024	94.9	116 of 2159	94.6%	★★★★★
2023	93.3	156 of 2170	92.8%	★★★★★
2022	98.3	37 of 2123	98.3%	★★★★★
2021	97.0	31 of 1290	97.6%	★★★★★
2019	97.8	39 of 2133	98.2%	★★★★★
2018	94.8	89 of 2017	95.6%	★★★★★
2017	95.2	71 of 2021	96.5%	★★★★★
2016	97.1	30 of 2039	98.5%	★★★★★
2015	96.3	44 of 1994	97.8%	★★★★★
2013	85.2	75 of 2426	96.9%	★★★★★
2012	83.3	98 of 2354	95.8%	★★★★★
2011	83.3	98 of 2367	95.9%	★★★★★
2010	82.9	98 of 2281	95.7%	★★★★★
2009	83.5	67 of 2238	97.0%	★★★★★
2008	90.8	18 of 2117	99.1%	★★★★★
2007	92.0	19 of 2063	99.1%	★★★★★
2006	86.6	54 of 1968	97.3%	★★★★★
2005	90.2	26 of 1901	98.6%	★★★★★
2004	92.0	11 of 1653	99.3%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	86.9	33 of 575	94.3%	★★★★★
2025	83.6	62 of 585	89.4%	★★★★☆
2024	84.9	66 of 573	88.5%	★★★★☆
2023	72.1	186 of 591	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	83.2	75 of 581	87.1%	★★★★☆
2019	89.6	29 of 582	95.0%	★★★★★
2018	81.7	94 of 581	83.8%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	99.1	17 of 1161	98.5%	★★★★★
2019	99.9	4 of 1117	99.6%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	96.0	45 of 1864	97.6%	★★★★★
2025	94.6	83 of 1906	95.6%	★★★★★
2024	95.4	77 of 1915	96.0%	★★★★★
2023	93.9	119 of 1915	93.8%	★★★★★
2022	98.2	27 of 1858	98.5%	★★★★★
2021	97.6	11 of 1054	99.0%	★★★★★
2019	97.5	35 of 1833	98.1%	★★★★★
2018	97.5	13 of 1760	99.3%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	74.5	402 of 1880	78.6%	★★★★☆
2025	68.9	513 of 1900	73.0%	★★★★☆
2024	65.4	558 of 1902	70.7%	★★★★☆
2023	76.5	361 of 1917	81.2%	★★★★☆
2022	94.0	85 of 1861	95.4%	★★★★★
2019	86.0	172 of 1814	90.5%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	79.0	360 of 1997	82.0%	★★★★☆
2025	74.3	450 of 2013	77.6%	★★★★☆
2024	73.2	436 of 2026	78.5%	★★★★☆
2023	60.3	691 of 2030	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	82.4	236 of 1943	87.9%	★★★★☆
2021	87.8	109 of 1126	90.3%	★★★★★
2019	87.3	169 of 1937	91.3%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	95.8	78 of 1930	96.0%	★★★★★
2025	95.5	82 of 1942	95.8%	★★★★★
2024	93.9	124 of 1948	93.6%	★★★★★
2023	92.5	156 of 1963	92.1%	★★★★★
2022	97.7	56 of 1916	97.1%	★★★★★
2021	94.3	65 of 1122	94.2%	★★★★★
2019	97.4	52 of 1880	97.2%	★★★★★
2018	93.6	123 of 1834	93.3%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	94.0	18 of 588	96.9%	★★★★★
2025	93.8	16 of 577	97.2%	★★★★★
2024	84.3	70 of 574	87.8%	★★★★☆
2023	82.7	82 of 541	84.8%	★★★★☆
2022	91.5	22 of 515	95.7%	★★★★★
2019	87.4	32 of 422	92.4%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	79.6	157 of 1235	87.3%	★★★★☆
2025	76.2	176 of 1252	85.9%	★★★★☆
2024	76.3	186 of 1216	84.7%	★★★★☆
2023	83.1	119 of 1197	90.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	90.6	59 of 1130	94.8%	★★★★★
2025	90.7	64 of 1155	94.5%	★★★★★
2024	89.0	89 of 1173	92.4%	★★★★★
2023	82.7	185 of 1193	84.5%	★★★★☆
2022	91.8	64 of 1204	94.7%	★★★★★
2019	92.8	54 of 1222	95.6%	★★★★★
2018	84.2	154 of 1173	86.9%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Disabled (2022)99th percentile~ school

Female (2026)98th percentile~ school

Multi-racial (2026)97th percentile~ school

Male (2026)96th percentile~ school

White (2026)95th percentile~ school

Asian (2026)94th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)87th percentile-9 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)82nd percentile-14 vs school

Hispanic (2026)79th percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy82%+33 vs state

Mathematics78%+40 vs state

Science68%+32 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Rate Palo Alto High

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a student
Monday, October 27, 2014

I am a student at Paly and I can confidently say that this school is crushing my spirit. But at least we have good test scores, right? Close Quote

Schools Near Palo Alto High

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CAST Science (2026)				Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)		Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 10th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Palo Alto High	Public	9-12	50 Embarcadero Rd.	Palo Alto	94301	Santa Clara County	Palo Alto Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(650) 329-3701	1,891	113	16.7	13.3%	594 (31.4%)	37 (2.0%)	287 (15.2%)	709 (37.5%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (1.5%)	233 (12.3%)	95.5	76^th of 2135 public high schools	96.4%		95.4	88^th of 2162 public high schools	95.9%	12	71.1		18.2	68.4	82.3	82.3	77.9	77.9	$33,090	$2,472	$30,618
Menlo-Atherton High	Public	9-12	555 Middlefield Rd.	Atherton	94025	San Mateo County	Sequoia Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(650) 322-5311	2,158	120	17.9	33.0%	747 (34.6%)	69 (3.2%)	918 (42.5%)	180 (8.3%)	36 (1.7%)	96 (4.4%)	111 (5.1%)	85.3	291^st of 2135 public high schools	86.4%		87	264^th of 2162 public high schools	87.8%	27		54.1	26.1	52.9	68.3	68.3	52.5	52.5	$20,162	$786	$19,376
Oxford Day Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	763 Green St.	East Palo Alto	94303	San Mateo County	Oxford Day Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(650) 260-3152	108	3	43.0	66.7%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	107 (99.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.9%)								(n/a)									$23,195	$1,535	$21,660
East Palo Alto Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	1050 Myrtle St.	East Palo Alto	94303	San Mateo County	East Palo Alto Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(650) 893-8900	278	21	12.9	63.3%	2 (0.7%)	7 (2.5%)	251 (90.3%)	1 (0.4%)	4 (1.4%)	10 (3.6%)	3 (1.1%)	26.1	1562^nd of 2135 public high schools	26.8%		22.8	1632^nd of 2162 public high schools	24.5%	70		15.7		15.7	40.7	40.7	7.7	7.7	$24,102	$606	$23,496
KIPP Esperanza High	Public, Charter	9-12	1039 Garden St.	East Palo Alto	94607	San Mateo County	KIPP Esperanza High District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(415) 528-1546	194	19	10.2	95.9%	1 (0.5%)	5 (2.6%)	185 (95.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	52.9	977^th of 2135 public high schools	54.2%		52.8	973^rd of 2162 public high schools	55.0%	4	21.6			23.1	53.3	53.3	36.7	36.7
Henry M. Gunn High	Public	9-12	780 Arastradero Rd.	Palo Alto	94306	Santa Clara County	Palo Alto Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(650) 354-8200	1,643	100	16.4	11.7%	450 (27.4%)	20 (1.2%)	215 (13.1%)	765 (46.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.2%)	188 (11.4%)	97	50^th of 2135 public high schools	97.7%		97.6	42^nd of 2162 public high schools	98.1%	8	79.0		54.6	78.4	82.2	82.2	80.6	80.6	$34,120	$2,556	$31,564
Tide Academy	Public	9-12	150 Jefferson Dr.	Menlo Park	94062	San Mateo County	Sequoia Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(650) 369-1411	212	22	9.4	40.1%	47 (22.2%)	5 (2.4%)	129 (60.8%)	11 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.3%)	13 (6.1%)	78.9	435^th of 2135 public high schools	79.6%		58.6	859^th of 2162 public high schools	60.3%	424		50.0		50.0	69.2	69.2	38.5	38.5	$36,157	$961	$35,196
Woodside High	Public	9-12	199 Churchill Ave.	Woodside	94062	San Mateo County	Sequoia Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(650) 367-9750	1,660	101	16.3	28.7%	575 (34.6%)	19 (1.1%)	880 (53.0%)	88 (5.3%)	9 (0.5%)	8 (0.5%)	81 (4.9%)	77.4	458^th of 2135 public high schools	78.5%		76.5	469^th of 2162 public high schools	78.3%	11		53.9		53.7	57.2	57.2	43.3	43.3	$21,792	$910	$20,882
Los Altos High	Public	9-12	201 Almond Ave.	Los Altos	94022	Santa Clara County	Mountain View-Los Altos Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(650) 940-8812	2,170	120	18.1	16.5%	630 (29.0%)	13 (0.6%)	607 (28.0%)	660 (30.4%)	4 (0.2%)	9 (0.4%)	226 (10.4%)	95.2	83^rd of 2135 public high schools	96.1%		95.8	83^rd of 2162 public high schools	96.2%				66.9	66.9	77.3	77.3	66.5	66.5	$35,147	$871	$34,276
Summit Preparatory Charter High	Public, Charter	9-12	890 Broadway	Redwood City	94063	San Mateo County	Summit Preparatory Charter High District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(650) 556-1110	293	15	19.5	71.7%	22 (7.5%)	3 (1.0%)	242 (82.6%)	12 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.1%)	44.2	1160^th of 2135 public high schools	45.7%		44.8	1145^th of 2162 public high schools	47.0%	15			24.1	24.1	34.1	34.1	23.5	23.5	$21,242	$791	$20,451

Frequently Asked Questions about Palo Alto High

Is Palo Alto High a good school?

Yes! Palo Alto High is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 76^th of 2135 California high schools.

What is the racial makeup of Palo Alto High?

Students at Palo Alto High are 37% Asian, 31% White, 15% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 2% African American, 2% Pacific Islander.

What schools feed into Palo Alto High?

Palo Alto High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Addison Elementary
Elementary : Duveneck Elementary
Elementary : Escondido Elementary
Elementary : Walter Hays Elementary
Middle : Frank S. Greene Junior Middle

How many students attend Palo Alto High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,891 students attended Palo Alto High.

What district is Palo Alto High in?

Palo Alto Unified

Rate Palo Alto High!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

CACalifornia High School Rankings

CACalifornia District Rankings

Schools in Palo Alto, CA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Palo Alto High!

Latest California data All new data »

2024–25 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 15, 2026

2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresOct 15, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.