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Stratford School Palo Alto

Offering Early Preschool, Preschool, Elementary, and Middle School, Stratford School Palo Alto provides an unparalleled education where children are inspired to be creative problem solvers, innovators, and confident, compassionate leaders.
Our balanced approach in and out of the classroom ensures both academic success and personal development.
In the classroom, our curriculum intentionally instills STEAM rigor and academic excellence taught in a warm and caring environment.
Arts, music, character development, and physical activity round out the Stratford experience.
In addition to our robust STEAM-infused curriculum, our campus offers an Early Preschool program, starting at age two with no potty training required, and a Mandarin Bilingual Preschool program where students are taught and cared for by a two-teacher team, one speaking and instructing in English, the other in Mandarin.
We also offer a Mandarin Specialty Language option starting in Elementary and a Mandarin after-school club.
With Mandarin continuing at our Stratford Preparatory High School, students can now study Mandarin as a second language from Preschool-Grade 12.
Beyond the classroom, Stratford encourages students to explore their individual passions through enrichment activities.
Our goal is to prepare and mentor students for admission to competitive high schools and colleges, and our students achieve outstanding results.
Evident at all our schools is the Stratford motto, "Summa spes, summa res," meaning "highest hopes, highest things.".

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 353 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $28,653
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Stratford School Palo Alto ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
Year Founded
2005
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
First Day of School
Thu. Aug 28, 2025
Last Day of School
Wed. Jun 10, 2026
School Motto
Summa Spes, Summa Res (Highest Hopes, Highest Things)
School Mascot
None Specified

Student Body

Total Students
353 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
93%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Stratford School Palo Alto Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
36 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
14 students
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
No uniforms for preschool.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition varies based on grade.
Admissions Director
Rachel Shanley
Application URL

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
13 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Bollywood Dance, Computer Science, Food Explorers, Kids Zumba, Mad Science, Magic Masters, Yes for Chess

Arts and Music Programs:
Art, Band, Hidden Talent Art, Music, Orchestra

Recreational Athletic Programs:
basketball

School Notes

  • It starts in Preschool
  • We start early. Our Preschool program lays the foundation for students to develop core competencies focused on collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking. Our teachers create a warm and nurturing learning environment that allows students to flourish.Our program cultivates their natural curiosity and wonder by encouraging inquiry and by teaching lessons through hands-on learning. At the same time, we balance academic learning with socialization and lots of fun to inspire a love of learning at a young age.
  • Education takes off at the Elementary level
  • Our accelerated, sequential, and cross-disciplinary elementary curriculum builds upon the fundamentals that students learn during their Preschool years. In our Elementary program, we integrate critical thinking and collaborative projects so that students discover the value of both independent thinking and working together.We complement our academic instruction with a focus on developing every child`s potential through social, emotional, and personal character education to help each student become articulate and respectful.We inspire our students to ask big questions about the real world, we challenge them to think beyond our classroom walls, and we show them how to learn from these experiences.
  • Our Middle School program prepares students for high school and beyond
  • At the Middle School level, we accelerate our STEAM program with advanced instruction and project-based learning. Technology is integrated throughout our robust curriculum to further develop critical thinking and a deeper understanding of STEAM.Throughout the Middle School experience, our teachers build strong relationships with students that last beyond their time at Stratford. This unique approach empowers students to be self-reliant and to take responsibility for their own learning.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Stratford School Palo Alto cost?
Stratford School Palo Alto's tuition is approximately $28,653 for private students.
Does Stratford School Palo Alto offer a summer program?
Yes, Stratford School Palo Alto offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Stratford School Palo Alto's ranking?
Stratford School Palo Alto ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Highest percentage of students of color, Largest student body and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Stratford School Palo Alto?
The application deadline for Stratford School Palo Alto is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Stratford School Palo Alto located?
Stratford School Palo Alto is located in the Leland Manor neighborhood of Palo Alto, CA.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 353 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $28,653
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Palo Alto, CA is $37,420 for elementary schools and $41,492 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Palo Alto, CA is 63% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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