Walter Hays Elementary

Walter Hays Elementary sits in the heart of Old Palo Alto, one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the Bay Area, where tree-lined streets and a strong sense of community make it feel like a small town tucked inside a major tech hub. The school draws academically motivated families who value both rigorous instruction and a tight-knit school culture, and the numbers back it up — students here consistently perform at the top of the state in English, math, and science. For families planting roots in Palo Alto, Walter Hays offers the kind of neighborhood elementary school experience that's hard to find in a city with this much going on around it.