Imagination Lab School Photo

Best Palo Alto Private Elementary Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 28 private elementary schools serving 8,141 students in Palo Alto, CA.
The top ranked private elementary schools in Palo Alto, CA include Castilleja School, Emerson Montessori School - Palo Alto, and Silicon Valley International School.
The average tuition cost is $38,391, which is higher than the California private elementary school average tuition cost of $17,399.
11% of private elementary schools in Palo Alto, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Jewish and Catholic).

Top Ranked Palo Alto Private Elementary Schools (2025-26)

School
Location
Quick Facts
3880 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 213-8245
Gr: PK-8 | 406 students Avg. class size: 24 students
Emerson Montessori School - Palo Alto
Emerson Montessori School - Palo Alto Photo - * Individualized, self-paced core curriculum *Chinese, Spanish, art, music, and PE for all *Year-round, full-day program for grades 1-8 *Cultivation of thinking skills and ethical values *Emphasis on personal goal setting
Montessori School
(3)
2800 West Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 424-1267
Gr: NS-8 | 3,710 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Imagination Lab School
Imagination Lab School Photo
(5)
4050 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 460-8940
Gr: PK-8 Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
870 N California Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 899-7385
Gr: NS-8 | 353 students Avg. class size: 14 students Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition listed
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
Gr: 6-12 Avg. class size: 1 student Tuition listed
Bowman School
Bowman School Photo
Montessori School
(1)
4000 Terman Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 813-9131
Gr: NS-12 | 265 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
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
Gr: 6-12 | 424 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 11 Tuition listed
Discovery Children's House Montessori School
Montessori School
437 Webster St
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-8023
Gr: K-1 | 50 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)
(1)
450 San Antonio Road
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 494-4404
Gr: PK-8 | 335 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
2525 E Bayshore Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 565-8391
Gr: PK-12 | 107 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
2890 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 328-1711
Gr: K-8 | 317 students Tuition listed
Keys School
Keys School Photo - Where Learning Comes to Life!
(1)
2890 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 328-1711
Gr: K-8 | 324 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
Silicon Valley International School
Special Program Emphasis
(2)
151 Laura Ln
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 251-8500
Gr: PK-12 | 781 students Sports: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Torah Academy
All-boys (Jewish)
3070 Louis Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 424-9080
Gr: 4-5 | 6 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Achieve Inc.
Special Education School
3860 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 494-1200
Gr: 3-12 | 49 students Tuition listed
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
Gr: 1-8 | 72 students Avg. class size: 6 students Tuition listed
Casa Dei Bambini School
Montessori School
(4)
457 College Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 520-3513
Gr: PK-1 | 34 students Tuition listed
4243 Manuela Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 215-0208
Gr: 1-4 | 39 students
Esther B Clark School-childrens Health Council
Special Education School
650 Clark Way
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 688-3634
Gr: 2-10 | 78 students Avg. class size: 11 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Girls' Middle School
All-girls | Alternative School
(5)
3400 West Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 968-8338
Gr: 6-8 | 198 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
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
Gr: PK-1 | 40 students Avg. class size: 10 students Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition listed
Living Wisdom School Of Palo Alto
Alternative School
(1)
456 College Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 462-8150
Gr: K-12 | 78 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
951 Oconnor St
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 396-2779
Gr: K-2 | 141 students
St. Elizabeth Seton School
(Catholic)
1095 Channing Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 326-9004
Gr: PK-8 | 202 students Avg. class size: 27 students Sports: 3
Sand Hill School
Special Education School
650 Clark Way
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 688-3605
Gr: 2-8 | 53 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
Sand Hill School
Special Education School
650 Clark Way
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 388-3685
Gr: 2-8 | 43 students Tuition listed
625 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 469-3656
Gr: K-5 | 36 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
UP Academy
Special Program Emphasis
505 E Charleston Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 796-3848
Gr: NS-3

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private elementary schools in Palo Alto, CA?
The top ranked private elementary schools in Palo Alto, CA include Castilleja School, Emerson Montessori School - Palo Alto, and Silicon Valley International School.
How many private elementary schools are located in Palo Alto?
28 private elementary schools are located in Palo Alto.
How much do private elementary schools cost in Palo Alto?
The average tuition cost is $38,391, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,399.
How diverse are private elementary schools in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto private elementary schools are approximately 55% minority students, which is higher than the California private school average of 50%.
What percentage of private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Palo Alto?
11% of private elementary schools in Palo Alto are religiously affiliated (most commonly Jewish and Catholic).
Which private elementary schools in Palo Alto are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private elementary schools in Palo Alto include: The Girls' Middle School vs. Castilleja School, Castilleja School vs. The Girls' Middle School

Recent Articles

Transferring from Public to Private School Mid-Year: What to Expect
Transferring from Public to Private School Mid-Year: What to Expect
Considering a mid-year transfer from public to private school? Learn what to expect with admissions, academic placement, social adjustment, and financial aid to ensure a smooth transition.
A Guide to Day vs. Boarding School: Which Is Right for Your Family
A Guide to Day vs. Boarding School: Which Is Right for Your Family
Discover the key differences between day and boarding schools to determine the best fit for your child. Explore benefits, costs, lifestyle factors, and questions to help guide your family’s decision.
The A to Z of Private Schools 2025
The A to Z of Private Schools 2025
Explore the A to Z of private schools in 2025—from admissions to tuition—offering parents and educators clear insights into today’s options.