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Walter Hays Elementary School

1525 Middlefield Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94301

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Top 10%

Tel: (650) 322-5956

hays.pausd.org

SAVE SCHOOL

Serving 305 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Walter Hays Elementary School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).

The percentage of students achieving is 70-74% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving is 70-74% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).

The student-teacher ratio of 20:1 is lower than the California state level of 21:1.

Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Asian), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: Kindergarten-5
Enrollment: 305 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
Minority Enrollment: 77%
: Top 10% in CA
: 70-74% (Top 10%)
: 70-74% (Top 20%)
: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Walter Hays Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

School Overview

Walter Hays Elementary School's student population of 305 students has grown by 17% over five school years.

The teacher population of 15 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-5

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Walter Hays Elementary School
Kind	83
1	44
2	45
3	46
4	46
5	41

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Total Students

305 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1989-2025)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School
2025	305
2024	295
2023	294
2022	269
2021	259
2020	348
2019	371
2018	428
2017	428
2016	463
2015	521
2014	539
2013	541
2012	536
2011	536
2010	529
2009	510
2008	429
2007	479
2006	489
2005	485
2004	506
2003	500
2002	497
2001	476
2000	451
1999	454
1998	439
1997	394
1996	374
1995	372
1994	339
1993	316
1992	285
1991	336
1990	320
1989	317

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Total Classroom Teachers

15 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1987-2025)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School
2025	15
2024	15
2023	15
2022	17
2021	15
2019	24
2018	26
2017	26
2016	26
2015	29
2014	27
2013	27
2012	28
2010	25
2009	27
2008	32
2007	28
2006	26
2005	25
2004	26
2003	27
2002	26
2001	24
2000	23
1999	22
1998	21
1997	18
1996	16
1995	12
1994	15
1993	15
1992	16
1991	16
1990	15
1989	15
1988	16
1987	15

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School Rankings

Walter Hays Elementary School ranks within the top 10% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Walter Hays Elementary School is 0.72, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (CA)

#736 out of 9523 schools
(Top 10%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School
2023	#736
2022	#733
2021	#260
2019	#245
2018	#332
2017	#318
2016	#144
2015	#125
2013	#491
2012	#424
2011	#373

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70-74%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2023	72%	34%	78%
2022	72%	33%	78%
2021	72%	34%	79%
2019	83%	40%	81%
2018	86%	39%	83%
2017	80%	38%	81%
2016	85%	37%	84%
2015	84%	34%	83%
2013	88%	59%	87%
2012	86%	59%	86%
2011	86%	58%	87%

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70-74%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2022)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2022	72%	47%	82%
2021	72%	49%	80%
2019	83%	51%	81%
2018	79%	50%	83%
2017	81%	48%	81%
2016	86%	48%	83%
2015	84%	44%	82%
2013	82%	57%	87%
2012	88%	58%	88%
2011	88%	56%	87%
2010	89%	54%	87%

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70-79%

29%

Student-Teacher Ratio

20:1

21:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1987-2025)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2025	20:1	21:1
2024	20:1	22:1	17:1
2023	20:1	22:1	17:1
2022	16:1	22:1	16:1
2021	17:1	22:1	17:1
2019	15:1	23:1	17:1
2018	16:1	23:1	18:1
2017	16:1	23:1	18:1
2016	18:1	24:1	20:1
2015	18:1	24:1	19:1
2014	20:1	24:1	18:1
2013	20:1	24:1	18:1
2012	19:1	24:1	18:1
2010	21:1	22:1	18:1
2009	19:1	21:1	16:1
2008	13:1	18:1	12:1
2007	17:1	22:1	16:1
2006	19:1	22:1	17:1
2005	19:1	22:1	18:1
2004	19:1	22:1	18:1
2003	19:1	21:1	17:1
2002	19:1	21:1	17:1
2001	20:1	21:1	18:1
2000	20:1	22:1	18:1
1999	21:1	22:1	18:1
1998	21:1	22:1	19:1
1997	22:1	24:1	19:1
1996	23:1	25:1	19:1
1995	32:1	25:1	22:1
1994	22:1	25:1	19:1
1993	21:1	25:1	19:1
1992	18:1	24:1	21:1
1991	22:1	24:1	20:1
1990	22:1	24:1	20:1
1989	22:1	24:1	20:1
1988	21:1	24:1	20:1
1987	23:1	24:1	21:1

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Asian

43%

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2024	37%	12%	41%
2023	33%	12%	40%
2022	30%	12%	39%
2021	30%	12%	38%
2020	30%	12%	37%
2019	27%	12%	37%
2018	29%	11%	36%
2017	29%	11%	36%
2016	32%	11%	36%
2015	32%	11%	35%
2014	28%	11%	35%
2013	27%	11%	34%
2012	27%	11%	34%
2011	26%	11%	33%
2010	23%	11%	30%
2009	22%	11%	29%
2008	23%	12%	33%
2007	22%	12%	31%
2006	22%	12%	29%
2005	21%	12%	28%
2004	19%	12%	26%
2003	16%	11%	24%
2002	15%	11%	22%
2001	15%	11%	22%
2000	13%	11%	20%
1999	13%	11%	19%
1998	12%	11%	19%
1997	11%	11%	18%
1996	8%	11%	19%
1995	7%	11%	18%
1994	8%	11%	17%
1993	7%	11%	16%
1992	7%	11%	16%
1991	7%	11%	15%
1990	6%	10%	13%
1989	6%	10%	13%
1988	5%	10%	11%

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Hispanic

20%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2024	19%	56%	16%
2023	20%	55%	16%
2022	19%	56%	15%
2021	20%	56%	14%
2020	16%	55%	13%
2019	15%	55%	13%
2018	14%	54%	12%
2017	14%	54%	12%
2016	10%	54%	11%
2015	10%	54%	12%
2014	10%	53%	11%
2013	10%	53%	11%
2012	10%	52%	11%
2011	10%	51%	11%
2010	8%	50%	11%
2009	5%	49%	8%
2008	7%	50%	9%
2007	7%	49%	11%
2006	7%	48%	10%
2005	6%	47%	10%
2004	6%	46%	10%
2003	5%	45%	8%
2002	5%	44%	8%
2001	4%	43%	7%
2000	6%	42%	7%
1999	6%	41%	7%
1998	6%	40%	7%
1997	6%	40%	6%
1996	5%	39%	6%
1995	5%	38%	6%
1994	4%	37%	6%
1993	4%	36%	6%
1992	1%	35%	6%
1991	2%	34%	5%
1990	2%	33%	5%
1989	3%	31%	5%
1988	2%	30%	4%

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Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2024	2%	5%	2%
2023	2%	5%	2%
2022	1%	5%	2%
2021	1%	5%	2%
2020	2%	5%	2%
2019	2%	5%	2%
2018	1%	6%	2%
2017	1%	6%	2%
2016	1%	6%	2%
2015	1%	6%	3%
2014	1%	6%	2%
2013	2%	6%	2%
2012	2%	6%	2%
2011	3%	7%	3%
2010	2%	7%	3%
2009	3%	7%	3%
2008	3%	8%	3%
2007	4%	8%	6%
2006	5%	8%	5%
2005	5%	8%	5%
2004	4%	8%	5%
2003	4%	8%	4%
2002	3%	8%	4%
2001	4%	8%	4%
2000	5%	9%	5%
1999	6%	9%	5%
1998	6%	9%	5%
1997	6%	9%	5%
1996	7%	9%	5%
1995	7%	9%	5%
1994	7%	9%	6%
1993	8%	9%	6%
1992	9%	9%	5%
1991	6%	9%	5%
1990	5%	9%	5%
1989	3%	9%	5%
1988	4%	9%	5%

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White

23%

20%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2024	29%	20%	29%
2023	31%	21%	30%
2022	37%	21%	32%
2021	33%	22%	34%
2020	37%	23%	37%
2019	41%	23%	37%
2018	44%	24%	42%
2017	44%	24%	42%
2016	44%	24%	43%
2015	47%	24%	42%
2014	50%	25%	44%
2013	51%	25%	45%
2012	54%	26%	46%
2011	57%	27%	49%
2010	58%	27%	47%
2009	57%	28%	47%
2008	67%	29%	55%
2007	61%	29%	52%
2006	64%	31%	56%
2005	68%	31%	57%
2004	71%	32%	59%
2003	73%	34%	64%
2002	76%	35%	66%
2001	76%	36%	67%
2000	76%	37%	68%
1999	75%	38%	69%
1998	76%	39%	69%
1997	77%	39%	71%
1996	80%	40%	70%
1995	81%	41%	71%
1994	81%	42%	71%
1993	81%	43%	72%
1992	83%	44%	73%
1991	85%	45%	75%
1990	87%	47%	77%
1989	88%	49%	77%
1988	89%	50%	80%

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Hawaiian

n/a

View Data

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2015)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2015	2%	1%
2014	3%	1%	1%
2013	3%	1%	1%
2012	3%	1%	1%
2011	2%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%	1%

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Two or more races

10%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2010-2024)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2024	11%	6%	11%
2023	12%	6%	11%
2022	10%	5%	11%
2021	13%	5%	11%
2020	13%	4%	10%
2019	12%	4%	10%
2018	10%	4%	8%
2017	10%	4%	8%
2016	10%	4%	8%
2015	8%	3%	8%
2014	8%	3%	7%
2013	6%	3%	7%
2012	4%	3%	6%
2011	2%	2%	4%
2010	8%	3%	9%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.72

0.63

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1989-2025)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2025	0.72	0.63
2024	0.74	0.63	0.71
2023	0.75	0.64	0.72
2022	0.73	0.63	0.72
2021	0.75	0.62	0.71
2020	0.74	0.63	0.71
2019	0.73	0.63	0.71
2018	0.70	0.64	0.68
2017	0.70	0.64	0.68
2016	0.69	0.64	0.67
2015	0.67	0.64	0.66
2014	0.66	0.65	0.68
2013	0.67	0.65	0.67
2012	0.63	0.65	0.66
2011	0.60	0.67	0.65
2010	0.60	0.67	0.67
2009	0.62	0.71	0.68
2008	0.50	0.65	0.59
2007	0.60	0.67	0.58
2006	0.57	0.66	0.58
2005	0.51	0.67	0.57
2004	0.48	0.67	0.56
2003	0.44	0.67	0.53
2002	0.40	0.67	0.52
2001	0.40	0.67	0.50
2000	0.40	0.67	0.50
1999	0.41	0.67	0.49
1998	0.40	0.67	0.48
1997	0.39	0.67	0.47
1996	0.35	0.67	0.47
1995	0.33	0.67	0.47
1994	0.34	0.67	0.46
1993	0.33	0.67	0.46
1992	0.30	0.67	0.44
1991	0.27	0.67	0.42
1990	0.23	0.66	0.39
1989	0.22	0.65	0.38

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Eligible for

15%

54%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1994-2025)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2025	15%	54%
2024	14%	54%	10%
2023	14%	51%	10%
2022	14%	51%	10%
2021	15%	53%	9%
2020	11%	52%	8%
2019	8%	52%	8%
2018	7%	49%	7%
2017	7%	49%	7%
2016	6%	50%	6%
2015	6%	50%	6%
2014	6%	49%	6%
2013	5%	48%	6%
2011	6%	46%	6%
2010	3%	46%	6%
2009	5%	43%	5%
2008	4%	41%	6%
2007	4%	40%	5%
2006	4%	40%	5%
2005	3%	40%	5%
2004	3%	40%	4%
2003	3%	39%	4%
2002	3%	39%	4%
2001	2%	39%	4%
2000	4%	40%	4%
1999	3%	40%	4%
1998	8%	47%	7%
1997	7%	47%	8%
1996	8%	46%	8%
1995	8%	45%	8%
1994	7%	43%	8%

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Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2000-2025)
Year	Walter Hays Elementary School	California	Palo Alto Unified School District
2025	2%	8%
2024	2%	8%	1%
2023	3%	8%	1%
2022	1%	7%	1%
2021	3%	6%	1%
2020	3%	7%	2%
2019	1%	7%	2%
2018	2%	9%	2%
2017	2%	9%	2%
2016	1%	9%	1%
2015	2%	9%	2%
2014	2%	9%	2%
2013	2%	7%	2%
2011	2%	8%	3%
2010	1%	9%	2%
2009	2%	10%	2%
2008	3%	10%	3%
2007	1%	10%	2%
2006	1%	9%	2%
2005	1%	9%	2%
2004	1%	9%	2%
2003	1%	9%	2%
2002	1%	8%	2%
2001	1%	8%	2%
2000	1%	7%	2%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Palo Alto Unified School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Walter Hays Elementary School's ranking?

Walter Hays Elementary School is ranked #736 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in California.

What schools are Walter Hays Elementary School often compared to?

Walter Hays Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Ohlone Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

70-74% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 70-74% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).

How many students attend Walter Hays Elementary School?

305 students attend Walter Hays Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

43% of Walter Hays Elementary School students are Asian, 23% of students are White, 20% of students are Hispanic, 10% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, and 2% of students are Hawaiian.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Walter Hays Elementary School?

Walter Hays Elementary School has a student ration of 20:1, which is lower than the California state average of 21:1.

What grades does Walter Hays Elementary School offer ?

Walter Hays Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5

What school district is Walter Hays Elementary School part of?

Walter Hays Elementary School is part of Palo Alto Unified School District.

School Calendar

View the Walter Hays Elementary School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event

Date

First Day of School 2026-27 School Year

August 13, 2026 (Thursday)

First Day of Full-Day Kindergarten

October 19, 2026 (Monday)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: Kindergarten-5
Enrollment: 305 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
Minority Enrollment: 77%
: Top 10%
: 70-74% (Top 10%)
: 70-74% (Top 20%)
: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education