Palo Alto Unified School District schools - district elementary, middle, and high school information

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Palo Alto Unified School District

This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

25 Churchill Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Santa Clara County
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PH: (650) 329-3700
FAX: (650) 329-3803

District Web site >

Grades K-12
10,855 students
18 schools

View all schools in this district >

Compare schools in this district:

CST Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 2

English Language Arts

77% (2008)

80% (2007)

81% (2006)

73% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2008.

Math

87% (2008)

87% (2007)

85% (2006)

86% (2005)
The state average for Math was 59% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 3

English Language Arts

75% (2008)

76% (2007)

73% (2006)

73% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 38% in 2008.

Math

83% (2008)

84% (2007)

85% (2006)

84% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 4

English Language Arts

87% (2008)

87% (2007)

87% (2006)

86% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 55% in 2008.

Math

86% (2008)

84% (2007)

86% (2006)

82% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 5

Science

85% (2008)

84% (2007)

80% (2006)
The state average for Science was 46% in 2008.

English Language Arts

85% (2008)

87% (2007)

86% (2006)

86% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2008.

Math

84% (2008)

86% (2007)

87% (2006)

83% (2005)
The state average for Math was 51% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 6

English Language Arts

85% (2008)

85% (2007)

83% (2006)

79% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 47% in 2008.

Math

83% (2008)

82% (2007)

80% (2006)

78% (2005)
The state average for Math was 44% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 7

English Language Arts

86% (2008)

86% (2007)

82% (2006)

82% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 49% in 2008.

Math

84% (2008)

79% (2007)

77% (2006)

76% (2005)
The state average for Math was 41% in 2008.

Algebra I

95% (2008)

95% (2007)
The state average for Algebra I was 80% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 8

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

67% (2008)

55% (2007)

64% (2006)

61% (2005)
The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 31% in 2008.

Science

86% (2008)

83% (2007)

85% (2006)
The state average for Science was 52% in 2008.

English Language Arts

81% (2008)

82% (2007)

84% (2006)

81% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 45% in 2008.

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

77% (2008)

76% (2007)
The state average for History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative was 36% in 2008.

Algebra I

98% (2008)

96% (2007)

96% (2006)

97% (2005)
The state average for Algebra I was 42% in 2008.

Geometry

100% (2008)

100% (2007)

100% (2006)
The state average for Geometry was 84% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 9

Algebra II

100% (2008)

100% (2007)

92% (2006)

91% (2005)
The state average for Algebra II was 66% in 2008.

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

19% (2008)

20% (2007)

6% (2006)

13% (2005)
The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 18% in 2008.

Biology/Life Sciences

84% (2008)

81% (2007)

75% (2006)
The state average for Biology/Life Sciences was 52% in 2008.

English Language Arts

86% (2008)

87% (2007)

82% (2006)

85% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 49% in 2008.

Earth Science

Data not available for this district (2008)

Data not available for this district (2007)

Data not available for this district (2006)
The state average for Earth Science was 31% in 2008.

World History

72% (2008)

67% (2007)
The state average for World History was 36% in 2008.

Integrated/Coordinated Science 1

Data not available for this district (2008)

Data not available for this district (2007)
The state average for Integrated/Coordinated Science 1 was 12% in 2008.

Algebra I

67% (2008)

68% (2007)

63% (2006)

70% (2005)
The state average for Algebra I was 18% in 2008.

Geometry

98% (2008)

98% (2007)

97% (2006)

99% (2005)
The state average for Geometry was 43% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 10

Algebra II

87% (2008)

89% (2007)

93% (2006)

92% (2005)
The state average for Algebra II was 36% in 2008.

High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)

98% (2008)

100% (2007)
The state average for High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11) was 68% in 2008.

Science

84% (2008)

77% (2007)

78% (2006)
The state average for Science was 40% in 2008.

Biology/Life Sciences

79% (2008)

43% (2007)

73% (2006)
The state average for Biology/Life Sciences was 35% in 2008.

English Language Arts

85% (2008)

77% (2007)

79% (2006)

79% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 41% in 2008.

Chemistry

78% (2008)

74% (2007)

75% (2006)
The state average for Chemistry was 41% in 2008.

Earth Science

38% (2008)

21% (2007)

Data not available for this district (2006)
The state average for Earth Science was 23% in 2008.

World History

17% (2008)

17% (2007)
The state average for World History was 33% in 2008.

Algebra I

26% (2008)

10% (2007)

21% (2006)

28% (2005)
The state average for Algebra I was 9% in 2008.

Geometry

70% (2008)

67% (2007)

69% (2006)

63% (2005)
The state average for Geometry was 12% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 11

Algebra II

42% (2008)

54% (2007)

43% (2006)

45% (2005)
The state average for Algebra II was 11% in 2008.

High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)

92% (2008)

94% (2007)
The state average for High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11) was 43% in 2008.

Biology/Life Sciences

96% (2008)

94% (2007)

89% (2006)
The state average for Biology/Life Sciences was 39% in 2008.

U.S. History

84% (2008)

79% (2007)
The state average for U.S. History was 38% in 2008.

English Language Arts

82% (2008)

80% (2007)

74% (2006)

73% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 37% in 2008.

Physics

76% (2008)

66% (2007)

67% (2006)
The state average for Physics was 47% in 2008.

Chemistry

64% (2008)

68% (2007)

55% (2006)
The state average for Chemistry was 25% in 2008.

Earth Science

Data not available for this district (2008)

Data not available for this district (2007)

Data not available for this district (2006)
The state average for Earth Science was 28% in 2008.

World History

16% (2008)

0% (2007)
The state average for World History was 9% in 2008.

Algebra I

17% (2008)

19% (2007)

0% (2006)

Data not available for this district (2005)
The state average for Algebra I was 5% in 2008.

Geometry

15% (2008)

17% (2007)

18% (2006)

9% (2005)
The state average for Geometry was 6% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the tests

In 2007-2008 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled.
The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California.
The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

Testing in California: An Overview

See California's state standards

Compare all elementary, middle or high schools in the district

CAHSEE Results

Scale: % passing

Grade 10

English Language Arts

97% (2008)

96% (2007)

96% (2006)

96% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 79% in 2008.

Math

97% (2008)

96% (2007)

96% (2006)

97% (2005)
The state average for Math was 78% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

In 2007-2008 California used the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to test high school students' skills in English language arts and mathematics.
The results for grade 10 students taking the test for the first time are displayed on GreatSchools profiles.
The CAHSEE is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of California.
Students must pass all parts of the CAHSEE in order to graduate from high school. If they do not pass it the first time, students have multiple opportunities to retake the test.
The goal is for all students to pass both sections of the test.

Testing in California: An Overview

Compare all high schools in this district

CAHSEE Results By Subgroup

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Scale: % passing

Grade 10

English Language Arts	This District
All Students	97%
Females	97%
Males	96%
African American	83%
Asian	99%
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	78%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	99%
Declined to state	100%
Economically disadvantaged	69%
Non-economically disadvantaged	98%
Students with disability	70%
English learner	85%

Math	This District
All Students	97%
Females	97%
Males	98%
African American	87%
Asian	99%
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	84%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	99%
Declined to state	100%
Economically disadvantaged	76%
Non-economically disadvantaged	99%
Students with disability	70%
English learner	93%

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

In 2007-2008 California used the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to test high school students' skills in English language arts and mathematics.
The results for grade 10 students taking the test for the first time are displayed on GreatSchools profiles.
The CAHSEE is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of California.
The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.
Students must pass all parts of the CAHSEE in order to graduate from high school. If they do not pass it the first time, students have multiple opportunities to retake the test.
The goal is for all students to pass both sections of the test.

Testing in California: An Overview

Teachers

Teacher Credentials

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
	This District	State Average
Full credential	99%	95%
Emergency credential or waiver	<1%	4%

Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >

Teacher Experience

Source: ¹CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
²CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
	This District	State Average
Average years teaching¹	12	13
Average years teaching in district¹	9	10
First-year teachers²	5%	6%

Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >

Average Class Size

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
	This District	State Average
Kindergarten	19	20
Grade 1	20	19
Grade 2	20	19
Grade 3	19	20
Grade 4	22	23
Grade 5	21	29
Grade 6	23	29
Grade 7	25	29
Grade 8	26	29
Grade 9	26	27
Grade 10	27	30
Grade 11	28	28
Grade 12	27	25

How Important is Class Size? >

Students

Student Ethnicity

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Ethnicity	This District	State Average
White	48%	29%
Asian	27%	8%
Multiple or No Response	13%	3%
Hispanic or Latino	8%	49%
African American	3%	7%
Pacific Islander	<1%	<1%
Filipino	<1%	3%
American Indian or Alaska Native	<1%	<1%

How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >

Student Subgroups

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
	This District	State Average
English language learners	9%	25%

The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >

Spending Per Pupil

		This District	State Average
Total per pupil expenditures		$12,264	$10,805

Source: NCES, 2005-2006
Breakdown By Expenditure
Instructional	66%	61%
Student and staff support	8%	7%
Administration	12%	15%
Other expenditures	13%	18%

School Finance: Issues to Consider >

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