Is this your school? Email the board to prioritize reading!
Email BoardPalo Alto High
50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301-2321
Summary
Palo Alto High is an excellent school.
Reading and math results average to the 96th percentile among comparable California schools.
82.3% of students met California's reading standard, and it is trending up.
77.9% of students met California's math standard, which is strong statewide and is trending up.
Proficiency stats
| Current Reading Proficiency | 82.3% |
| Current Math Proficiency | 77.9% |
| Reading State Rank | 102/1,596 (94th percentile) |
| Math State Rank | 21/1,596 (99th percentile) |
School information
| Student / Teacher Ratio | 16:1 |
| Student enrollment (2024–25) | 1,891 |
| Low-Income Students | 256 (13.5%) |
| English Learners | 37 (2.0%) |
School Website
Great Schools
Niche
Ed-Data
CAASPP| Admissions | Open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Charter school | No |
| Magnet school | No |
Test score trends
Reading rose 6.6 points from last year and rose 10.0 points over the full period. Math rose 4.2 points from last year and rose 7.8 points over the full period.
•Math +7.8 percentage points (2024–2026)Reading Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
Most students in every reported group meet the reading standard. Two or more races and Asian students have the strongest results.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
82.3% of tested students meet the reading standard in the grade shown. Overall, the school’s reading results rank in the top 7% among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 18.7-point reading income gap is slightly wider than the 14.7-point gap at a typical California 9–12 school. It narrowed over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
Results for both language groups are unavailable, so a current reading gap cannot be calculated.
Math Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
Asian students have the strongest math results at about 91% proficiency. The other reported groups range from about 34% to 88%.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
77.9% of tested students meet the math standard in the grade shown. Overall, the school’s math results rank in the top 2% among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 31.5-point math income gap is wider than the 14.2-point gap at a typical California 9–12 school. It narrowed over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
Results for both language groups are unavailable, so a current math gap cannot be calculated.
How we compare income gaps
“Typical” means the median gap across 876 schools for reading and 882 for math. The comparison uses 2026 California 9–12 schools with at least 20 tested students in each income group and a reported low-income student population. Each school counts once. Its gap is non-low-income proficiency minus low-income proficiency, including negative gaps. California state test data
Understanding this school
How does Palo Alto High compare within the district?
Palo Alto High is No. 1 in reading and No. 2 in math proficiency among the 2 9–12 schools in Palo Alto Unified with 2026 results.
Explore the district’s schoolsHow does Palo Alto High rank in California?
Palo Alto High ranks No. 102 of 1,596 in reading and No. 21 of 1,596 in math for 2026. These proficiency rankings compare California schools in the same grade-level category.
How do low-income students at Palo Alto High compare within the district?
Low-income students here rank No. 1 in both subjects among 2 9–12 district schools with reportable 2026 results for this group. 65.9% meet the reading standard and 50.0% meet the math standard.
See results by student groupHow does Palo Alto High compare with other schools in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto High is No. 1 in reading and No. 2 in math proficiency among the 2 9–12 schools in Palo Alto with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Palo AltoHow does Palo Alto High compare with other schools in Santa Clara County?
Palo Alto High is No. 8 in reading and No. 7 in math proficiency among the 52 9–12 schools in Santa Clara County with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Santa Clara CountyWhich schools should I compare?
Schools serving 9–12 in the same district.
| School | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto HighThis school | 77.9% | 82.3% |
| Henry M. Gunn High | 80.6% | 82.2% |
