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Email BoardWalter Hays Elementary
1525 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301-3353
Summary
Walter Hays Elementary is a good school.
Reading and math results average to the 91st percentile among comparable California schools.
77.0% of students met California's reading standard, but it is trending down slightly.
73.5% of students met California's math standard, which is strong statewide but is trending down.
Proficiency stats
| Current Reading Proficiency | 77.0% |
| Current Math Proficiency | 73.5% |
| Reading State Rank | 364/4,657 (92nd percentile) |
| Math State Rank | 454/4,657 (90th percentile) |
School information
| Student / Teacher Ratio | 15:1 |
| Student enrollment (2024–25) | 305 |
| Low-Income Students | 53 (17.5%) |
| English Learners | 56 (18.5%) |
School Website
Great Schools
Niche
Ed-Data
CAASPP| Admissions | Open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Charter school | No |
| Magnet school | No |
Test score trends
Reading rose 1.0 points from last year and fell 1.1 points over the full period. Math fell 5.7 points from last year and fell 5.9 points over the full period.
•Math -5.9 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
The share meeting the reading standard ranges from 68.8% to 83.3% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s reading results rank in the top 8% among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 35.2-point reading income gap is wider than the 19.8-point gap at a typical California K–5 school. It narrowed over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
33.3% of English learners meet the reading standard, compared with 83.1% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results fell and English-only results rose.
•Math Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
Asian students have the strongest math results at about 92% proficiency. The other reported groups range from about 42% to 81%.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the math standard ranges from 69.6% to 79.2% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s math results rank in the top 10% among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 46.6-point math income gap is wider than the 20.0-point gap at a typical California K–5 school. It narrowed over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
36.8% of English learners meet the math standard, compared with 74.0% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results fell and English-only results fell.
•Progress as students move up
2023–2026
How we compare income gaps
“Typical” means the median gap across 1,832 schools for reading and 1,839 for math. The comparison uses 2026 California K–5 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 Walter Hays Elementary compare within the district?
Walter Hays Elementary is No. 8 in reading and No. 10 in math proficiency among the 12 K–5 schools in Palo Alto Unified with 2026 results.
Explore the district’s schoolsHow does Walter Hays Elementary rank in California?
Walter Hays Elementary ranks No. 364 of 4,657 in reading and No. 454 of 4,657 in math for 2026. These proficiency rankings compare California schools in the same grade-level category.
How do low-income students at Walter Hays Elementary compare within the district?
Low-income students here rank No. 4 in reading and No. 7 in math among 9 K–5 district schools with reportable 2026 results for this group. 47.8% meet the reading standard and 34.8% meet the math standard.
See results by student groupHow does Walter Hays Elementary compare with other schools in Palo Alto?
Walter Hays Elementary is No. 6 in reading and No. 8 in math proficiency among the 10 K–5 schools in Palo Alto with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Palo AltoHow does Walter Hays Elementary compare with other schools in Santa Clara County?
Walter Hays Elementary is No. 38 in reading and No. 52 in math proficiency among the 153 K–5 schools in Santa Clara County with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Santa Clara CountyWhich schools should I compare?
Schools serving K–5 in the same district.
| School | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Hays ElementaryThis school | 73.5% | 77.0% |
| Addison Elementary | 74.5% | 78.4% |
| Barron Park Elementary | 66.2% | 61.8% |
