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Elementary Schools in Atherton, California: Atherton schools aren't just reaching proficiency — they're pushing students beyond it.

Above Average2024–25 data3 schools · avg 68.1/100

Atherton, California has 3 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 68.1/100 — 23.2 points above the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Laurel Elementary at 85/100, where 59.7% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Atherton schools average 45.3% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 3 schools, 2 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 8.3% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
68.1
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
38.9
46.3 – 85.2
Avg Exceeded %
45.3%
State avg: 21.3%
Chronic Absenteeism
8.3%
State avg: 17.9%
Schools Ranked
3
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary3Solid
68.1/100
45.3%+23.2
High1Solid
63.4/100
39.5%+19.7

How Atherton schools compare

Atherton has 3 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 68.1/100 — 23.2 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Laurel Elementary with a Scope Score of 85 and 59.7% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Atherton schools average 45.3% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.

Chronic absenteeism in Atherton averages 8.3% — below the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

School archetypes in Atherton

2 High Ceiling1 Culture First

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in Atherton

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Laurel Elementary
Menlo Park City Elementary High Ceiling
59.7%Strong
85/100
2Encinal Elementary
Menlo Park City Elementary High Ceiling
53.2%Strong
73/100
3Menlo-Atherton High
Sequoia Union High Strong All-Around
39.5%Solid
63/100
4Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion
Redwood City Elementary Culture First
23.0%Developing
46/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 4 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Atherton

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Atherton

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Atherton good?
Atherton's 3 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 68.1/100, which is 23.2 points above the state average. 45.3% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Atherton?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Atherton is Laurel Elementary with a Scope Score of 85/100 and 59.7% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Atherton schools compare to the state average?
Atherton elementary schools average a Scope Score of 68.1/100 — 23.2 points above the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 45.3% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 8.3% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Atherton?
Atherton has 3 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.