Each level is scored on its own scale — elementary, middle, and high are never ranked against each other.
The elementary years
The elementary schools average 75.0/100 — 36.1 points above the state average, with 12 of 12 in the Strong band.
38 points separate the strongest and weakest of these 12 elementary schools — the average hides more than it tells.
Ohlone Elementary (90/100) holds the Strong band — 66.4% of its students exceed the state standard, against a level average of 60.3%. 1 school classifies as Strong All-Around — no weak dimension we measure.
38 points separate the top and bottom elementary schools — the district average won't predict the school in front of you.
The middle years
Consistently strong: all 3 middle schools land within 5 points of each other, averaging 79.6/100 — 41.0 points above the state average.
All 3 middle schools land within 5 points — the average is a fair summary here.
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle (82/100) holds the Strong band — 63.5% of its students exceed the state standard, against a level average of 57.2%.
Only 3 campuses at this level — one school's year moves every number in this chapter.
The high school years
Consistently strong: all 3 high schools land within 5 points of each other, averaging 91.2/100 — 37.2 points above the state average.
All 3 high schools land within 5 points — the average is a fair summary here.
Palo Alto Middle College High (94/100) holds the Strong band — 53.1% of its students exceed the state standard, against a level average of 57.0%.
Only 3 campuses at this level — one school's year moves every number in this chapter.
What it means for your family
Compare schools at your child’s level before deciding on an address. The strongest attendance-zone candidate is Ohlone Elementary at 90/100 — confirm the exact boundary with the district before the house.
No charters or magnets among the ranked schools here, so the main lever is an intra-district transfer — California districts run them on their own windows and criteria. If your zoned school sits low in the appendix below, ask the district office for this year's dates.
A band is a position, not a prophecy — a school's number can move without your kid's experience moving with it. Ask your school two questions: what happens for a kid who arrives behind, and what the classroom looks like for one who arrives ahead.
The strongest-scoring run through the district:
Ohlone Elementary 99th percentile · StrongScope Score 90/100Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle 98th percentile · StrongScope Score 82/100Palo Alto Middle College High 99th percentile · StrongScope Score 94/100
Top scorers at each level — not necessarily one zoned sequence. Confirm feeder patterns and enrollment zones with the district, and visit before you decide.
What this page can't see: whether a campus feels safe and glad at 8 a.m. If a path above looks workable, the next step is a visit.