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Palo Alto Unified School District

Item: Palo Alto Unified School District
Rating: 10
Author: Public School Review

25 Churchill Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306-1005

( shown in map)

10/

Top 5%

Tel: (650) 329-3700

www.pausd.org

Top Rankings

Palo Alto Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Overview

This School District

This State (CA)

# Schools

20 Schools

10,347 Schools

# Students

10,187 Students

5,790,405 Students

# Teachers

597 Teachers

267,593 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

17:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
Kind	798	264
1	651	187
2	668	196
3	716	204
4	735	205
5	727	209
6	732	210
7	791	213
8	784	216
9	861	231
10	888	225
11	909	226
12	927	235

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District Rank

Palo Alto Unified School District, which is ranked #26 of all 1,904 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 98% has increased from 95% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (CA)

#27 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 5%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District
2023	#27
2022	#28
2021	#33
2019	#47
2018	#17
2017	#23
2016	#20
2015	#14
2014	#14
2013	#21
2012	#28

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78%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2023	78%	34%
2022	78%	33%
2021	79%	34%
2019	81%	40%
2018	83%	39%
2017	81%	38%
2016	84%	37%
2015	83%	34%
2014	90%	63%
2013	87%	59%
2012	86%	59%

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82%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2022	82%	47%
2021	80%	49%
2019	81%	51%
2018	83%	50%
2017	81%	48%
2016	83%	48%
2015	82%	44%
2014	88%	58%
2013	87%	57%
2012	88%	58%
2011	87%	56%

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72%

29%

98%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2023	98%	87%
2022	96%	87%
2021	95%	84%
2020	94%	85%
2019	95%	84%
2018	95%	84%
2017	96%	83%
2016	95%	83%
2015	95%	89%
2014	96%	88%
2013	94%	87%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.71

0.63

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2024	0.71	0.63
2023	0.72	0.64
2022	0.72	0.63
2021	0.71	0.62
2020	0.71	0.63
2019	0.71	0.63
2018	0.68	0.64
2017	0.68	0.64
2016	0.67	0.64
2015	0.66	0.64
2014	0.68	0.65
2013	0.67	0.65
2012	0.66	0.65
2011	0.65	0.67
2010	0.67	0.67
2009	0.68	0.71
2008	0.59	0.65
2007	0.58	0.67
2006	0.58	0.66
2005	0.57	0.67
2004	0.56	0.67
2003	0.53	0.67
2002	0.52	0.67
2001	0.50	0.67
2000	0.50	0.67
1999	0.49	0.67
1998	0.48	0.67
1997	0.47	0.67
1996	0.47	0.67
1995	0.47	0.67
1994	0.46	0.67
1993	0.46	0.67
1992	0.44	0.67
1991	0.42	0.67
1990	0.39	0.66
1989	0.38	0.65
1988	0.35	0.65

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

43%

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2024	41%	12%
2023	40%	12%
2022	39%	12%
2021	38%	12%
2020	37%	12%
2019	37%	12%
2018	36%	11%
2017	36%	11%
2016	36%	11%
2015	35%	11%
2014	35%	11%
2013	34%	11%
2012	34%	11%
2011	33%	11%
2010	30%	11%
2009	29%	11%
2008	33%	12%
2007	31%	12%
2006	29%	12%
2005	28%	12%
2004	26%	12%
2003	24%	11%
2002	22%	11%
2001	22%	11%
2000	20%	11%
1999	19%	11%
1998	19%	11%
1997	18%	11%
1996	19%	11%
1995	18%	11%
1994	17%	11%
1993	16%	11%
1992	16%	11%
1991	15%	11%
1990	13%	10%
1989	13%	10%
1988	11%	10%

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% Hispanic

16%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2024	16%	56%
2023	16%	55%
2022	15%	56%
2021	14%	56%
2020	13%	55%
2019	13%	55%
2018	12%	54%
2017	12%	54%
2016	11%	54%
2015	12%	54%
2014	11%	53%
2013	11%	53%
2012	11%	52%
2011	11%	51%
2010	11%	50%
2009	8%	49%
2008	9%	50%
2007	11%	49%
2006	10%	48%
2005	10%	47%
2004	10%	46%
2003	8%	45%
2002	8%	44%
2001	7%	43%
2000	7%	42%
1999	7%	41%
1998	7%	40%
1997	6%	40%
1996	6%	39%
1995	6%	38%
1994	6%	37%
1993	6%	36%
1992	6%	35%
1991	5%	34%
1990	5%	33%
1989	5%	31%
1988	4%	30%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2024	2%	5%
2023	2%	5%
2022	2%	5%
2021	2%	5%
2020	2%	5%
2019	2%	5%
2018	2%	6%
2017	2%	6%
2016	2%	6%
2015	3%	6%
2014	2%	6%
2013	2%	6%
2012	2%	6%
2011	3%	7%
2010	3%	7%
2009	3%	7%
2008	3%	8%
2007	6%	8%
2006	5%	8%
2005	5%	8%
2004	5%	8%
2003	4%	8%
2002	4%	8%
2001	4%	8%
2000	5%	9%
1999	5%	9%
1998	5%	9%
1997	5%	9%
1996	5%	9%
1995	5%	9%
1994	6%	9%
1993	6%	9%
1992	5%	9%
1991	5%	9%
1990	5%	9%
1989	5%	9%
1988	5%	9%

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% White

27%

20%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2024	29%	20%
2023	30%	21%
2022	32%	21%
2021	34%	22%
2020	37%	23%
2019	37%	23%
2018	42%	24%
2017	42%	24%
2016	43%	24%
2015	42%	24%
2014	44%	25%
2013	45%	25%
2012	46%	26%
2011	49%	27%
2010	47%	27%
2009	47%	28%
2008	55%	29%
2007	52%	29%
2006	56%	31%
2005	57%	31%
2004	59%	32%
2003	64%	34%
2002	66%	35%
2001	67%	36%
2000	68%	37%
1999	69%	38%
1998	69%	39%
1997	71%	39%
1996	70%	40%
1995	71%	41%
1994	71%	42%
1993	72%	43%
1992	73%	44%
1991	75%	45%
1990	77%	47%
1989	77%	49%
1988	80%	50%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

View Data

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2014)
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2014	1%	1%
2013	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%

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% Two or more races

11%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2010-2024)
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2024	11%	6%
2023	11%	6%
2022	11%	5%
2021	11%	5%
2020	10%	4%
2019	10%	4%
2018	8%	4%
2017	8%	4%
2016	8%	4%
2015	8%	3%
2014	7%	3%
2013	7%	3%
2012	6%	3%
2011	4%	2%
2010	9%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $28,368 is higher than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $30,318 is higher than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.

This School District

This State (CA)

Total Revenue

$289 MM

$116,387 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2023	$289 MM	$8 MM
2022	$321 MM	$7 MM
2021	$289 MM	$8 MM
2020	$321 MM	$7 MM
2019	$317 MM	$7 MM
2018	$318 MM	$29 MM
2017	$272 MM	$26 MM
2016	$268 MM	$24 MM
2015	$179 MM	$17 MM
2014	$220 MM	$21 MM
2012	$186 MM	$19 MM
2011	$183 MM	$19 MM
2010	$179 MM	$17 MM
2009	$177 MM	$19 MM
2008	$171 MM	$19 MM
2007	$159 MM	$19 MM
2006	$146 MM	$17 MM
2005	$136 MM	$16 MM
2004	$124 MM	$16 MM
2003	$130 MM	$16 MM
2002	$145 MM	$15 MM
2001	$137 MM	$15 MM
2000	$111 MM	$13 MM
1999	$101 MM	$12 MM
1998	$96 MM	$11 MM
1997	$86 MM	$10 MM
1996	$66 MM	$9 MM
1995	$62 MM	$8 MM

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Spending

$309 MM

$107,188 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2023	$309 MM	$7 MM
2022	$304 MM	$7 MM
2021	$309 MM	$7 MM
2020	$304 MM	$7 MM
2019	$314 MM	$7 MM
2018	$300 MM	$29 MM
2017	$266 MM	$24 MM
2016	$267 MM	$23 MM
2015	$183 MM	$18 MM
2014	$234 MM	$21 MM
2012	$235 MM	$19 MM
2011	$192 MM	$19 MM
2010	$183 MM	$18 MM
2009	$186 MM	$18 MM
2008	$173 MM	$19 MM
2007	$155 MM	$18 MM
2006	$148 MM	$17 MM
2005	$145 MM	$16 MM
2004	$156 MM	$17 MM
2003	$158 MM	$15 MM
2002	$152 MM	$16 MM
2001	$133 MM	$14 MM
2000	$120 MM	$13 MM
1999	$98 MM	$11 MM
1998	$87 MM	$11 MM
1997	$71 MM	$10 MM
1996	$66 MM	$8 MM
1995	$64 MM	$8 MM

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Revenue / Student

$28,368

$20,100

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2023	$28,098	$15,607
2022	$27,436	$14,213
2021	$26,942	$15,669
2020	$27,436	$14,213
2019	$26,508	$14,063
2018	$25,984	$16,033
2017	$22,229	$16,692
2016	$21,546	$15,604
2015	$14,301	$10,238
2014	$17,679	$11,786
2012	$15,254	$11,929
2011	$15,255	$11,681
2010	$15,260	$10,238
2009	$15,506	$11,099
2008	$15,272	$11,762
2007	$14,542	$11,879
2006	$13,609	$10,859
2005	$12,844	$10,445
2004	$11,949	$10,566
2003	$12,863	$10,456
2002	$14,628	$9,803
2001	$13,639	$10,568
2000	$11,084	$8,943
1999	$10,411	$8,203
1998	$10,123	$7,395
1997	$9,383	$6,922
1995	$7,315	$5,953
1992	$6,849	$5,430

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Spending / Student

$30,318

$18,511

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Palo Alto Unified School District	California
2023	$30,030	$13,914
2022	$25,976	$13,602
2021	$28,795	$13,970
2020	$25,976	$13,602
2019	$26,309	$13,522
2018	$24,556	$16,124
2017	$21,700	$15,588
2016	$21,455	$14,779
2015	$14,627	$10,739
2014	$18,795	$11,804
2012	$19,268	$12,155
2011	$16,009	$11,509
2010	$15,608	$10,739
2009	$16,274	$10,975
2008	$15,464	$11,678
2007	$14,163	$11,317
2006	$13,781	$10,926
2005	$13,750	$10,789
2004	$15,033	$11,073
2003	$15,641	$10,210
2002	$15,297	$10,600
2001	$13,270	$10,007
2000	$11,982	$9,131
1999	$10,100	$7,911
1998	$9,222	$7,592
1997	$7,787	$6,759
1995	$7,523	$6,033
1992	$7,018	$5,588

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Palo Alto Unified School District?

Palo Alto Unified School District manages 20 public schools serving 10,187 students.

What is the rank of Palo Alto Unified School District?

Palo Alto Unified School District is ranked #26 out of 1,904 school districts in California (top 5%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 5%), Highest math proficiency (Top 5%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%), Highest science proficiency (Top 5%), Highest graduation rate (Top 1%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%), Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Palo Alto Unified School District?

43% of Palo Alto Unified School District students are Asian, 27% of students are White, 16% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Palo Alto Unified School District?

Palo Alto Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 17:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.

What is Palo Alto Unified School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $30,318 is higher than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 20 schools
Grades: K-12
Enrollment: 10,187 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 73%
: 98% (Top 1% in CA)
: Top 5%
: 78% (Top 5%)
: 82% (Top 5%)
: 72% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education