OHLONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Ohlone Elementary is a public elementary school that is part of the Palo Alto Unified school district, located in Palo Alto, CA with about 567 students offering grade levels from Kindergarten to 5th Grade. Student demographics can be found below. With about 31 teachers, Ohlone Elementary has a student/teacher ratio of about 18:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Ohlone Elementary School, located in the Midtown neighborhood of Palo Alto, is widely recognized for its unique educational philosophy centered on "open classroom" instruction. As a choice school within the Palo Alto Unified School District, it emphasizes a student-centered approach where children are encouraged to take an active role in their own learning. The curriculum is designed to be flexible and integrated, fostering independence, critical thinking, and a deep sense of community among students, teachers, and parents.

Beyond its academic program, Ohlone is noted for its strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and collaborative project-based activities. The school environment typically features multi-age groupings and a high level of parent involvement, which helps create a tight-knit campus culture. By prioritizing a holistic development model, Ohlone strives to prepare its students not just for academic success in middle and high school, but to become thoughtful, engaged, and self-directed members of the community.

For more information, contact Ohlone Elementary at (650) 856-1726 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.