Palo Alto Unified School District

[8] A plan passed on September 29, 2020[9] to reopen elementary schools on October 12, and high schools on January 7, 2021, caused widespread debate, including criticism from teachers and staff citing safety concerns.

[10][11][12] Palo Alto high schools received national attention in 2009 after five of its students committed suicide over a span of nine months, mainly by walking in front of trains at a local crossing.

As of 2015[update], cluster suicide has remained a problem in the district's high schools.

[15][13] In February 2016, a team of suicide prevention specialists from Epidemiologic Assistance (Epi-Aids) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paid a two-week visit to the area to determine risk factors.

The student newspaper is The Oracle, part of the High School National Ad Network.

Palo Alto High also carries on a distinguished athletic tradition, marked in recent years by a rivalry with crosstown foe Gunn, a somewhat less athletically-minded school.

The Paly Girls Varsity Volleyball team won back-to-back state championships in 2010 and 2011.

Palo Alto High School also received a multimillion-dollar performing arts center, officially opening on October 1, 2016.

Palo Alto Middle College was created in order for students to get away from the often-toxic environment[24] created by typical Silicon Valley high schools and aims to do this by providing students with an alternative academic setting.

[27] Its racial makeup was 40% Caucasian, 30% Asian, 14% Hispanic, 2% African American, and 13% Other (including multiple races).

A bond was approved by the city of Palo Alto in 1995 to allow for further technological upgrades to the school.

Its racial makeup was 44% Asian, 32% Caucasian, 12% Hispanic, 1% African American, and 11% Other (including multiple races).

Founded in 1953, the school was originally named after Ray Lyman Wilbur, one of the early presidents of Stanford University.

Its racial makeup was 38% Asian, 30% White, 16% Hispanic, 12% Two or More Races, 1% Black and 1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander.

Its main office is located in the Tower Building at Palo Alto High School.

The current members of the school board are Shounak Dharap, Shana Segal, Todd Collins, Jennifer DiBrienza, and Jesse Ladomirak.

On November 3, 2020, DiBrienza and Collins were re-elected, while Ladomirak was elected to replace the outgoing Melissa Baten Caswell.