Bowman School Photo

Top 10 Best Palo Alto Private Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 35 private schools serving 4,799 students in Palo Alto, CA (there are 23 public schools, serving 10,898 public students). 31% of all K-12 students in Palo Alto, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The top ranked private schools in Palo Alto, CA include Castilleja School, Challenger School - Middlefield, and Imagination Lab School.
The average tuition cost is $35,171, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,207.
17% of private schools in Palo Alto, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Jewish and Other).

Top Ranked Palo Alto Private Schools (2025)

School
Location
Grades
Students
3880 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 213-8245
Grades: PK-8
| 406 students
Imagination Lab School
Imagination Lab School Photo
(5)
4050 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 460-8940
Grades: PK-8
| n/a students
Kehillah Jewish High School
Kehillah Jewish High School Photo - World-class academics in a supportive environment
Special Program Emphasis (Jewish)
(1)
3900 Fabian Way
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 213-9600
Grades: 9-12
| 190 students
870 N California Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 899-7385
Grades: NS-8
| 353 students
Fusion Academy Palo Alto
Fusion Academy Palo Alto Photo - Classes at Fusion are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. Students have different teachers for different subjects, and teachers act as mentors in the one-to-one setting.
Alternative School
2191 E. Bayshore Road, Suite 100
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(877) 673-8893
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Bowman School
Bowman School Photo
Montessori School
(1)
4000 Terman Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 813-9131
Grades: NS-12
| 265 students
Castilleja School
Castilleja School Photo - Swimming and water polo happen in our on-campus pool.
All-girls
(2)
1310 Bryant St
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 328-3160
Grades: 6-12
| 424 students
Esther B Clark School-childrens Health Council
Special Education School
650 Clark Way
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 688-3634
Grades: 2-10
| 78 students
Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School
Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School Photo - The Hausner curriculum nurtures academic success through critical thinking and whole-child learning that encourages every child to flourish.Hausner classrooms are dynamic environments that buzz with curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.
(Jewish)
450 San Antonio Road
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 494-4404
Grades: PK-8
| 309 students
2800 W Bayshore Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 424-1221
Grades: NS
| 14 students
2890 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 328-1711
Grades: K-8
| 317 students
Keys School
Keys School Photo - Where Learning Comes to Life!
(1)
2890 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 328-1711
Grades: K-8
| 324 students
Silicon Valley International School
Special Program Emphasis
(2)
151 Laura Ln
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 251-8500
Grades: PK-12
| 781 students
Achieve Inc.
Special Education School
3860 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 494-1200
Grades: 3-12
| 49 students
Athena Academy
Athena Academy Photo - Two students at Athena Academy.
Special Education School
(1)
525 San Antonio Av
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 543-4560
Grades: 1-8
| 72 students
Casa Dei Bambini School
Montessori School
(4)
457 College Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 520-3513
Grades: PK-1
| 34 students
4243 Manuela Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 215-0208
Grades: 1-4
| 39 students
Creative Montessori Learning Center
Montessori School
1421 Bay Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 325-9543
Grades: PK-K
| 50 students
Discovery Children's House Montessori School
Montessori School
437 Webster St
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-8023
Grades: K-1
| 50 students
Downtown Palo Alto KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
848 Ramona St
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 473-1100
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
1041 Myrtle St
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 688-0850
Grades: 9-12
| 258 students
2800 W Bayshore Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 424-1267
Grades: 1-8
| 30 students
Guidepost Montessori
Montessori School
930 Emerson St
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 382-0550
Grades: PK-K
| 41 students
2525 E Bayshore Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 565-8391
Grades: PK-12
| 87 students
International School Of The Peninsula
Special Program Emphasis
3233 Cowper St
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 852-0264
Grades: PK-K
| 129 students
La Scuola International Silicon Valley
La Scuola International Silicon Valley Photo - Inspiring Brave Learners to Shape the Future. The Reggio approach nurtures collaboration, inquiry, experiential learning and a Hundred Languages to express themselves.
Daycare / Preschool
2086 Clarke Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 800-9650
Grades: PK-1
| 40 students
4000 Middlefield Rd # 29
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 646-1066
Grades: 9-12
| 10 students
Living Wisdom School Of Palo Alto
Alternative School
(1)
456 College Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 462-8150
Grades: K-12
| 78 students
Meira Academy
All-girls | Alternative School (Jewish)
3921 Fabian Way
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(646) 240-6772
Grades: 9-12
| 12 students
Odyssey Montessori
Montessori School
100 Addison Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(659) 321-2747
Grades: PK-K
| 70 students
951 Oconnor St
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 396-2779
Grades: K-2
| 141 students
St. Elizabeth Seton School
(Catholic)
1095 Channing Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 326-9004
Grades: PK-8
| 202 students
Torah Academy
All-boys (Jewish)
3070 Louis Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 424-9080
Grades: 4-5
| 6 students
625 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 469-3656
Grades: K-5
| 36 students
UP Academy
Special Program Emphasis
505 E Charleston Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 796-3848
Grades: NS-3
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Palo Alto, CA?
The top ranked private schools in Palo Alto, CA include Castilleja School, Challenger School - Middlefield, and Imagination Lab School.
How many private schools are located in Palo Alto?
35 private schools are located in Palo Alto.
How much do private schools cost in Palo Alto?
The average tuition cost is $35,171, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,207.
How diverse are private schools in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto private schools are approximately 56% minority students, which is higher than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of students in Palo Alto go to private school?
31% of all K-12 students in Palo Alto are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Palo Alto?
17% of private schools in Palo Alto are religiously affiliated (most commonly Jewish and Other).

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