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About Best in Class Palo Alto
Best in Class Education Center is a tutoring and enrichment business with a franchise location on California Avenue. The Palo Alto center lists its address as 490 California Ave, Suite 100, which puts it a few blocks from the California Avenue Caltrain station. OpenStreetMap did not carry a street address for this listing, so the address here comes from the center's own page.
The national brand says it has 30 years of experience and has served tens of thousands of students across the country. Each center is run by a local operator. In Palo Alto, the center page names the owner as Mrs. Shan Zhao. The page says she holds an MBA and an engineering degree, has taught students from pre-K through 10th grade and knows both the PAUSD curriculum and the Common Core. It also says she trains her tutors and teaching assistants to the franchise standard.
Programs and ages
According to the center page, Best in Class Palo Alto provides enrichment English and math classes for kindergarten through 10th grade. It also runs school break camps with an academic and STEM focus. The programs it lists for this location are:
- Math and English enrichment: small group classes that the brand says are matched to each student's ability. Weekly homework and regular feedback are part of the format.
- Private tutoring: one-on-one work on a flexible plan, which the brand describes as support for concepts, schoolwork and study skills.
- Summer camp: a Math and Writing Summer Camp built around structured practice.
- Beginners in Class: the brand's program for younger learners.
On its national website, Best in Class describes its coursework as a way to fill gaps in a student's understanding and then move ahead of grade level. Small group math and English classes are meant to build a foundation of skills and critical thinking. Parents who want to see how that works in practice can ask to sit in on a class or review sample worksheets before enrolling.
The national website also describes gifted test preparation and SAT and ACT preparation. The Palo Alto registration form lists those along with college prep and an after-school program. Not every center runs every program, so ask before you sign up for one of these.
Class schedule
The center posts a weekly class schedule. Every listed slot is offered both in person and online:
| Day | Class times |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 4:15 to 6:45 p.m. |
| Thursday | 4:15 to 7 p.m. |
| Friday | 3 to 8:15 p.m. |
| Saturday | 9 a.m. to noon |
No Sunday or Monday classes appear on the schedule. These are class times, not office hours, so call ahead if you want to drop by to ask questions.
How to enroll
The center says most programs run year-round and do not require a contract. To start, call 650-272-6581 or email the center to book a free consultation. The location page also has a registration form that asks for the student's grade and the program you want. Online classes are an option, which helps families who live outside Palo Alto or who want a backup when schedules get busy.
Prices are not posted online. Ask about tuition, materials and any assessment before the first class.
Tips for families
California Avenue is a walkable main street with public parking lots on the blocks behind the shops. The street is closed to cars between El Camino Real and Birch Street for its outdoor dining area, so plan your drop-off from Birch Street or the side streets. Our California Avenue neighborhood guide covers the area, including the Sunday farmers market.
If you are comparing options, our guide to classes for kids lists other activities around town. For background on the local district and its schools, see Palo Alto public schools. Families planning summer can also check our summer camps guide, since the center's Math and Writing Summer Camp is one of several academic options in the area.
Location and getting there
Best in Class Education Center is at 490 California Avenue, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 0.3 miles away. That is roughly a 8 minute walk.
Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).
What is nearby
- Club Pilates, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
- Technology Credit Union, service business, under 0.1 mi
- SIGNAL Coffee (Sunday Pop Up), cafe, under 0.1 mi
- Topi, bakery or dessert shop, under 0.1 mi
- Provident Credit Union, service business, under 0.1 mi
- College Terrace Library, 0.2 mi
- Bowden Park, 0.4 mi
- Peers Park, 0.4 mi
Other classes, tutoring and learning nearby: AJ Tutoring (0.1 mi); New Mozart (0.1 mi); Learnika Language and Tutoring Center (0.1 mi); The Coder School (0.2 mi). Browse the full classes, tutoring and learning list.
Before you go
- Ask about trial classes, schedules and age requirements before you enroll.
- Many programs fill early for summer and fall terms. Sign up well ahead if timing matters.
- Check the refund and makeup class policy when you register.
About this listing
Checked October 30, 2026 against Best in Class Palo Alto location page; Best in Class Education website; Find a center. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Best in Class Education Center in Palo Alto?
Best in Class Education Center is at 490 California Avenue, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 0.3 miles away.
What grades does Best in Class Palo Alto teach?
The center says it provides enrichment English and math classes for kindergarten through 10th grade students. Its registration form also lists options such as private tutoring and test preparation, so ask the center which of those it runs.
When are classes held at Best in Class Palo Alto?
The posted class schedule runs Tuesday to Friday afternoons and evenings, plus Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. Classes are offered in person and online.
Does Best in Class require a contract?
The center says most of its programs run year-round and do not require a contract to enroll. It offers a free consultation by phone or email.