The Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) isn’t just one of California’s most prestigious public school systems—it’s a major driver of real estate value and buyer demand in Silicon Valley. From historic neighborhoods like Old Palo Alto and Professorville to family-friendly enclaves like Midtown and Barron Park, PAUSD shapes the lifestyle, culture, and investment potential of the entire Palo Alto area.

With 13 top-rated elementary schools, award-winning middle schools, and two nationally ranked high schools—Palo Alto High School and Gunn High School—PAUSD is synonymous with academic excellence, innovation, and college readiness. Students here benefit from advanced STEM programs, arts and music enrichment, language immersion, and robust mental health support—all backed by one of the most active parent communities in the state.

For homebuyers, living in a PAUSD school zone can add a 15–30% premium to property values. For sellers, it means intense buyer competition and faster market movement—especially in high-demand attendance zones like Addison, Duveneck, and Palo Verde. But navigating this elite district isn’t always simple. School boundaries can shift. Enrollment caps and lotteries exist. And the difference between one block and the next could mean access to a different school.

That’s where the Boyenga Team at Compass steps in. As Silicon Valley’s leading real estate professionals and trusted advisors in education-driven home searches, Eric and Janelle Boyenga bring decades of experience helping families find the right home and the right school. Whether you need school-verified home searches, private school comparisons, or strategies for buying into top districts, the Boyenga Team delivers expert guidance with next-gen tools and a client-first approach.