Total enrollment
230,059
-41,134 (-15%) vs SY 2017-18
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 2024-25School 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
School enrollment
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%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy· 98.6%
- Murdock-Portal Elementary· 94.8%
- Covington Elementary· 94.6%
- Lynbrook High· 93.7%
- William Faria Elementary· 93.5%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Lowell Elementary· 7.9%
- Empire Gardens Elementary· 12.9%
- Grant Elementary· 13.9%
- Opportunity Youth Academy· 14.7%
- A. J. Dorsa Elementary· 15.2%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Day | Sunnyvale | High | 09-12 | 6 | · |
| Berryessa Union Elementary | San Jose | Elementary | KG-08 | 0 | · |
| North County Regional Occupational Program | Sunnyvale | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
| Santa Clara County ROP-South | Gilroy | High | 10-12 | 0 | · |
| Silicon Valley Career Technical Education | San Jose | High | 11-12 | 0 | · |
| BMO Preschool at Latham | Mountain View | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| Gilroy Special Ed Preschool | Gilroy | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| LASD Preschool | Los Altos | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| Middle College High | San Jose | Combined | M-M | · | · |
| Perseverance Preparatory | San Jose | Combined | M-M | · | · |
| Saratoga Special Services Preschool | Saratoga | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| Summit Public School: Denali | Sunnyvale | Combined | M-M | · | · |
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
Santa Clara County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data