Henry M. Gunn High

School Overview
Henry M. Gunn High School, located in Palo Alto, California, is widely recognized as one of the top-performing public secondary schools in the United States. Serving students in grades 9 through 12, the school is part of the Palo Alto Unified School District and is renowned for its rigorous academic environment, high standardized test scores, and a strong culture of intellectual achievement. The campus attracts families from across the region due to its extensive selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, diverse elective offerings, and a robust support system designed to prepare students for admission to top-tier universities.

Beyond its academic focus, Gunn High School offers a comprehensive array of extracurricular activities, including championship-level sports teams, award-winning performing arts programs, and a wide variety of student-led clubs. The school culture is often described as high-pressure, which has led the administration to prioritize student mental health and wellness initiatives in recent years. With its proximity to Silicon Valley, the school fosters a unique environment that emphasizes innovation, global citizenship, and community involvement, consistently maintaining its reputation as a prestigious institution within the California public education system.
1,643
Total Students
99.8
Full-Time Teachers
16.5
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.7%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Henry M. Gunn High
Demographic Student Count
White450
Hispanic215
Black20
Asian765
Two or More188
Pacific Islander3
  • Asian
    765 (46.6%)
  • White
    450 (27.4%)
  • Hispanic
    215 (13.1%)
  • Two or More
    188 (11.5%)
  • Black
    20 (1.2%)
  • Pacific Islander
    3 (0.2%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: N/A
District: Palo Alto Unified
Phone: (650)354-8200
Grade Range: 9th - 12th
Total Students: 1,643
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 99.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 16.5
NSLP Participation:1 Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch: 179
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 13
Grades Taught
Grade 9 409
Grade 10 394
Grade 11 408
Grade 12 432

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Henry M. Gunn High
Grade Student Count
Grade 9409
Grade 10394
Grade 11408
Grade 12432
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Henry M. Gunn High
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female75646%
Male88553.9%
Not Specified20.1%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)