Escondido Elementary School opened in 1960 and is one of twelve elementary schools in the Palo Alto Unified School District. It embodies a diverse group of students with varied needs and backgrounds. There are about 570 Kindergarten through fifth grade students in 27 classrooms. In grades K thru 3, class size is limited to 22 students. In 4th and 5th grades there are typically 24 or fewer students each. Two of the classes at Escondido are Special Day classes for children with learning disabilities.

Approximately twenty percent of our students are residents of Stanford University's graduate student family housing in Escondido Village, fifty percent reside in two nearby Palo Alto neighborhoods: College Terrace and Evergreen Park, and about thirty percent come from other areas in Palo Alto and East Palo Alto. The ethnic composition of our school is forty-eight percent minorities (Hispanic, Asian, African-American, Native American, and Pacific-Islander), and fifty-two percent Caucasian. The school population includes 213 children who attend the Spanish Immersion Program, located at Escondido School.

Escondido children represent thirty-two countries and speak more than twenty-five languages. Compared to other schools in the district, Escondido has the highest percentage of students who speak a language other than English. Due to our international population, Escondido emphasizes global awareness and multicultural education. Our teachers help children develop an awareness of and an appreciation for various cultures and holidays through assemblies, visitors, music, art, and other activities. Our school encourages each child to reach their greatest personal potential through a nurturing child-centered environment.