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Santa Clara County

California · Public K-12

Santa Clara County's public schools total 412 across the county, with enrollment of about 230,059 and San Jose Unified the largest single district. That works out to 260 elementary, 66 middle, and 79 high schools.

7-year change in Santa Clara County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
230,059
-41,134 (-15%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
401
-8 (-2%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
15%
was 19%
% Hispanic
41%
was 38%
% Black
2%
was 2%
% Asian
35%
was 34%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
1,902,047
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
412
79 districts
Enrollment
230,059
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$164,281
Above California avg
Free/reduced lunch
37.0%
Below California avg
Elementary
260
110,271 students
Middle
66
42,501 students
High
79
75,974 students
Combined / other
7
1,313 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
San Jose Unified
24,322 students · 79 districts in Santa Clara County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Santa Clara County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
30%
Hispanic
25%
Black
2%
Asian
41%
Two or more
15%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
15%
Hispanic
41%
Black
2%
Asian
35%
Two or more
7%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
56.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.9%
civilian labor
Median age
38
20.5% under 18

Test scores in Santa Clara County

Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 325 schools ranked. California state average: 47.6%.

See all 325 schools in Santa Clara County ranked by score →

All schools (412)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Ernesto Galarza ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05322·
Russo/McEntee AcademySan JoseElementaryKG-05322·
Santee ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-06318·
Voices College-Bound Language AcademySan JoseElementaryKG-08316·
Sutter ElementarySanta ClaraElementaryKG-05314·
ACE Charter HighSan JoseHigh09-12313·
Frost (Earl) ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-06313·
Gardner Bullis ElementaryLos Altos HillsElementaryKG-06313·
Benjamin Bubb ElementaryMountain ViewElementaryKG-05312·
Stipe (Samuel) ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-06310·
Hammer Montessori at Galarza ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05309·
Rocketship Los Suenos AcademySan JoseElementaryKG-05309·
Theuerkauf ElementaryMountain ViewElementaryKG-05308·
Almaden ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05305·
Walter Hays ElementaryPalo AltoElementaryKG-05305·
Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College AcademyGilroyHigh09-12304·
Robert Sanders ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05304·
Sunrise MiddleSan JoseMiddle05-08301·
Pomeroy ElementarySanta ClaraElementaryKG-05300·
Robert F. Kennedy ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-06300·
Monta Loma ElementaryMountain ViewElementaryKG-05298·
KIPP Navigate College PrepSan JoseHigh09-12297·
Saratoga ElementarySaratogaElementaryKG-05297·
Horace Mann ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05293·
Briarwood ElementarySanta ClaraElementaryKG-05288·
Robert Randall World LanguagesMilpitasElementaryKG-08285·
A. J. Dorsa ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05284·
Opportunity Youth AcademySan JoseHigh09-12283·
Canoas ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05282·
El Carmelo ElementaryPalo AltoElementaryKG-05282·
Sylvia Cassell ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05282·
Kathryn Hughes ElementarySanta ClaraElementaryKG-05281·
Barron Park ElementaryPalo AltoElementaryKG-05278·
Foothill ElementarySaratogaElementaryKG-05278·
Sartorette CharterSan JoseElementaryKG-05278·
Lyndale ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05275·
Bridges AcademySan JoseMiddle07-08274·
Liberty AlternativeSan JoseHigh06-12274·
Summerdale ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05274·
George Mayne ElementaryAlvisoElementaryKG-05271·
Rocketship Si Se Puede AcademySan JoseElementaryKG-05271·
Bracher ElementarySanta ClaraElementaryKG-05269·
Selma Olinder ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05269·
Foothill HighSan JoseHigh11-12268·
O. B. Whaley ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-06268·
IndigoSan JoseElementaryKG-08267·
B. Roberto Cruz Leadership AcademySan JoseHigh09-12261·
Lowell ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05261·
Anne Darling ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05260·
Juana Briones ElementaryPalo AltoElementaryKG-05260·
Terrell ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05255·
Horace Cureton ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05254·
Montague ElementarySanta ClaraElementaryKG-05254·
Lairon College Preparatory AcademySan JoseMiddle04-08253·
Mariano Castro ElementaryMountain ViewElementaryKG-05248·
Ramblewood ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-06248·
Thomas P. Ryan ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05247·
Donald J. Meyer ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05246·
Bowers ElementarySanta ClaraElementaryKG-05240·
Voices College-Bound Language Academy at Mt. PleasantSan JoseElementaryKG-08235·
Downtown College Preparatory MiddleSan JoseMiddle05-08231·
Toyon ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05231·
Luis Valdez Leadership AcademySan JoseHigh09-12225·
Lrng in an Urban Comm with High Achievement (L.U.C.H.A.)San JoseElementaryKG-05218·
Empire Gardens ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05214·
College Connection AcademySan JoseMiddle07-08213·
McKinley ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-06206·
ACE Esperanza MiddleSan JoseMiddle05-08205·
ACE Inspire AcademySan JoseMiddle05-08205·
Valle Vista ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05204·
Downtown College Prep - Alum RockSan JoseHigh06-12202·
Rachel Carson ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05199·
VillageCampbellElementaryKG-05198·
ACE Empower AcademySan JoseMiddle05-08189·
Los Arboles Literacy and Technology AcademySan JoseElementaryKG-03185·
Mission Early College HighSanta ClaraHigh09-12183·
Broadway HighSan JoseHigh09-12176·
Lexington ElementaryLos GatosElementaryKG-05174·
Calero HighSan JoseHigh10-12173·
Mt. Pleasant ElementarySan JoseElementaryKG-05172·
Boynton HighSan JoseHigh09-12163·
San Jose Conservation Corps CharterSan JoseHigh12-12158·
New Valley Continuation HighSanta ClaraHigh09-12151·
Mt. Madonna HighGilroyHigh09-12150·
Apollo HighSan JoseHigh11-12141·
Wilson AlternativeSanta ClaraCombinedKG-12131·
Pegasus HighSan JoseHigh11-12128·
Santa Clara County CommunitySan JoseHigh06-12107·
Calaveras HillsMilpitasHigh09-12105·
Central High (Continuation)Morgan HillHigh10-1283·
Alta Vista HighMountain ViewHigh09-1278·
Phoenix HighSan JoseHigh11-1270·
Lakeside ElementaryLos GatosElementaryKG-0564·
Cesar Chavez Early Learning CenterSan JoseElementaryKG-KG56·
Milpitas Middle College HighMilpitasHigh09-1255·
Palo Alto Middle College HighLos Altos HillsHigh09-1245·
Santa Clara County CourtSan JoseHigh06-1244·
GreendellPalo AltoElementaryKG-KG26·
Packard Children's Hospital/StanfordPalo AltoCombinedKG-1215·
Santa Clara Community DaySanta ClaraHigh06-1210·

Cities in Santa Clara County

San Jose236 schoolsSanta Clara24 schoolsSunnyvale21 schoolsGilroy17 schoolsPalo Alto17 schoolsMilpitas15 schoolsMountain View15 schoolsCupertino13 schoolsMorgan Hill12 schoolsLos Altos11 schoolsSaratoga10 schoolsLos Gatos9 schoolsCampbell6 schoolsLos Altos Hills2 schoolsStanford2 schoolsAlviso1 schoolSan Martin1 school

About Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County is a sprawling California county of about 1,902,047 residents, home to 412 public schools and roughly 230,059 students.

For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $164,281 a year, roughly 57% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 4% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 84% higher than the California median.

On the school-mix side, Santa Clara County is built around 260 elementary schools (110,271 students), 66 middle schools (42,501), 79 high schools (75,974), and 7 combined or other schools.

San Jose Unified is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 24,322 students across Santa Clara County.

Over the past 7-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Santa Clara County has decreased 15% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 271,193 students to 230,059. Santa Clara County now counts 401 public schools, down from 409 in SY 2017-18. The White share of public-school enrollment fell from 19% to 15%.

In the discussion threads here, the community for Santa Clara County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara County, California has 412 public K-12 schools serving approximately 230,059 students.
How many high schools are in Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara County, California has 79 public high schools, serving approximately 75,974 students.
How many middle schools are in Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara County, California has 66 public middle schools, serving approximately 42,501 students.
How many elementary schools are in Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara County, California has 260 public elementary schools, serving approximately 110,271 students.
What is the largest school district in Santa Clara County?
San Jose Unified is the largest school district in Santa Clara County, serving approximately 24,322 students. The county contains 79 school districts overall.
What is the population of Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara County, California has a population of approximately 1,902,047, with a median age of 38. About 20.5% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Santa Clara County?
Median household income in Santa Clara County is $164,281, above the California average of $89,387. About 4.4% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Santa Clara County?
Approximately 56.5% of adults 25 and older in Santa Clara County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Santa Clara County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 37.0% of students in Santa Clara County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the California county average of 60.6%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Santa Clara County schools?
Across Santa Clara County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 21.5 to 1.

Santa Clara County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data