Palo Alto Unified

District Overview
Headquartered at 25 Churchill Avenue in Palo Alto, California, the Palo Alto Unified School District serves as a premier, traditional public education system nestled within the vibrant San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metropolitan region. Characterized by its dynamic small-city setting, this fully operational, non-charter district oversees 20 active schools supporting a total enrollment of 10,209 students across kindergarten through 12th grade, alongside dedicated adult education programs. The district’s student body reflects a rich array of cultural backgrounds—including strong Asian, White, Hispanic, and multiracial student communities—creating an inclusive, globally minded learning environment designed to guide learners from their foundational primary years through high school graduation.

At the core of Palo Alto Unified's academic framework is a robust commitment to staffing and instructional support, anchored by a full-time equivalent workforce of nearly 2,770 personnel. The district employs approximately 1,194 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining an exceptionally strong student-to-teacher ratio of roughly 8.5 to 1 that fosters individualized attention and tailored instruction. This instructional core is complemented by nearly 247 instructional aides and more than 1,320 support staff members who oversee administrative, counseling, and facility needs across the district. Serving as a vital hub for local families and educational researchers alike, Palo Alto Unified combines generous staffing resources with modern educational programming, with further details and community updates accessible via their administrative center or online at pausd.org.
20
Total Schools
10,209
Total Students
1,194.1
Full-Time Teachers
8.6
Student/Teacher Ratio
Demographics

District Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Palo Alto Unified
Demographic Student Count
White2,780
Hispanic1,648
Black169
Asian4,369
Two or More1,140
American Indian4
Pacific Islander92
  • Asian
    4,369 (42.8%)
  • White
    2,780 (27.2%)
  • Hispanic
    1,648 (16.2%)
  • Two or More
    1,140 (11.2%)
  • Black
    169 (1.7%)
  • Pacific Islander
    92 (0.9%)
  • American Indian
    4 (0.0%)
School Levels

School Levels Data Table

School Levels in Palo Alto Unified
School LevelSchool Count
Elementary13
Middle3
High3
Other1
School Map
District Details
Status:Open
District type:Regular public school district that is not a component of a supervisory union
Charter:Not a charter district
Number of schools:20
Students:10,209*
Teachers (FTE):1,194.1*
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:8.6
Schools in Palo Alto Unified
Found 20 Schools