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Palo Alto puts more public money and attention into teenagers than most cities its size. There are two city teen centers, a makerspace, a youth council and a fund that pays for teen-led projects. The library runs college prep workshops and free tutoring. The school district, the county and local nonprofits have built a layered support system for mental health, shaped in part by the community's hard experience with youth suicide clusters in the past.
This page is the practical reference: who runs what, how to sign up and where to turn for help. For fun outings, skate spots and weekend ideas, see our companion guide to things to do with teens. Program details come from the city's teen services pages and the Palo Alto City Library in October 2026.
If you need help now
- Emergency: call 911.
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, 24 hours a day.
- PAUSD students, parents and staff: Uwill crisis line, 833-455-0331, 24/7.
- Santa Clara County 988 counselor from any phone: 800-704-0900, then press 1.
Teen centers
The city runs two free drop-in spaces for middle and high school students.
| Center | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Drop (Mitchell Park Teen Center) | Mitchell Park Library and Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Road | Weekdays 3 to 6 p.m. during the school year; signed membership form on first visit |
| The Rise (Bryant Street Teen Center) | Bryant Street Community Center, 429 Bryant Street | Downtown location in the city's newest community center; check the teen services site for hours |
Both offer supervised space to hang out, play games and do homework after school. The Drop has pool, foosball, ping pong and video games. The Bryant Street building opened in 2026 and also houses the La Comida senior lunch program. Our community centers guide describes both buildings.
City teen programs
The city's teen services page lists these programs. Most are for high school students:
- Palo Alto Youth Council (PAYC). High school students who serve the teen community and advocate for change.
- Teen Advisory Board (TAB). High school students who plan and lead events for their peers.
- ThinkFund. Funding, mentorship and support for teen projects and ideas. To apply, meet with the ThinkFund supervisor.
- Teen Arts Council. Teens who create art events and projects.
- Art Center Teen (ACT) Leadership. Helps plan teen art programs at the Palo Alto Art Center and offers service hours and leadership experience.
- Youth Climate Advisory Board (YCAB). High school students focused on sustainability and climate stewardship.
- MakeX. A free community makerspace with digital tools, power tools, building materials and design help.
The page does not post application windows for most groups. Sign up for the Teen Services newsletter on the city site to hear when they recruit, which is usually tied to the school year.
Summer jobs and service hours
The city's Counselor in Training program places 13 and 14 year olds in city summer camps after an application and interview. In 2026 the application deadline was April 19 and each two-week session cost $320. Older teens can watch the city's jobs page for seasonal recreation work. Our teen volunteering guide lists groups that take younger volunteers and explains the age rules.
Library teen services
The Palo Alto City Library's teen page collects books, online resources, homework help tools and events in one place.
- College prep workshops. Free virtual sessions on college applications and test prep.
- Free tutoring. The library points students to free 24/7 one-on-one online tutoring for California students in grades K to 12 through the California State Library. Library cardholders can also use Brainfuse HelpNow.
- Wellness events. Fall 2026 listings included meditation and tai chi at Rinconada Library and mindfulness sessions at Mitchell Park and online.
- Test prep and research databases in the library's eLibrary.
- Teen blog. Book reviews and opinion pieces written by teens.
Teen Library Advisory Board
The library was accepting applications for its Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB) in fall 2026. It is open to students in grades 8 to 12. Applicants complete a volunteer form through Better Impact and a Livescan background check. Members share ideas about programs and collections, write reading lists and post on the teen blog.
Getting a card
Teens 14 and older can sign up for their own card with photo ID and proof of address. PAUSD students may already have a Student Success account through school. With a card, teens 14 and older with a Palo Alto ZIP code can book free museum and attraction passes through Discover & Go, up to two active reservations at a time and up to three months ahead. Our library card guide has the details.
Mental health support
Palo Alto's teen mental health network has several layers. Our full mental health resources guide covers adults too. For teens, the main options are:
| Resource | What it offers |
|---|---|
| 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | Free, confidential calls, texts or chat, 24/7. You do not have to be suicidal to reach out. |
| Uwill (PAUSD) | 24/7 crisis line at 833-455-0331 for students, parents and staff, plus free teletherapy for students |
| Paly and Gunn wellness centers | Free, confidential counseling on campus with partner agencies; students can walk in or refer themselves |
| allcove Palo Alto | Non-urgent mental health support for ages 12 to 25 at 2741 Middlefield Road, Suite 102 |
| Project Safety Net | A community coalition working on youth suicide prevention and mental wellness through education, outreach and training |
| NAMI Santa Clara County | A mental health guide for teens, linked from the library's teen page |
The city's Be Well page, linked from teen services, gathers crisis lines, youth programs and grief support. If you are worried about a friend, tell a trusted adult or call 988 together. Listening without judging is one of the most useful things a friend can do.
For parents
- Save 988 and the Uwill number in your phone and your teen's.
- Ask your school counselor how the wellness center works and how referrals happen.
- Project Safety Net and the city's Be Well page list parent education events.
- Watch for changes in sleep, eating, grades or friendships and ask directly how your teen is doing.
School and academic help
PAUSD's two comprehensive high schools, Palo Alto High School and Gunn, have counselors, college and career centers and wellness staff. Our public schools guide covers the district. Beyond the free library tutoring, many families use private tutoring. Our guide to tutoring and enrichment lists options. Academic pressure is a known issue in Palo Alto. The free options are a good place to start before paying for help.
Getting around on their own
The city's Palo Alto Link teen service, which gave teens independent rides to city programs, ended on October 30, 2026. Teens now rely on bikes, VTA buses, the free Stanford Marguerite shuttle on weekdays and Caltrain, which lists a youth fare of $1.00 for any distance. California requires bike riders under 18 to wear a helmet. Our Caltrain guide explains Clipper cards and stations.
Good to know
- Bring a parent-signed membership form on a first visit to The Drop.
- The Teen Services newsletter announces council and board openings.
- TLAB needs a Livescan check, so apply early.
- Palo Alto Link's teen rides ended October 30, 2026. Plan other transport.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a youth council in Palo Alto?
Yes. The city's teen services list the Palo Alto Youth Council, a group of high school students who serve the teen community and advocate for change. Related groups include the Teen Advisory Board, which plans high school events. The Youth Climate Advisory Board focuses on sustainability. Check the city's teen services page for recruitment times.
What is ThinkFund in Palo Alto?
ThinkFund is a city program that gives high school students funding, mentorship and support for their own projects, short or long term. The city's page says students with an idea should meet with the ThinkFund supervisor to get started.
Where can Palo Alto teens get free mental health support?
In a crisis, call or text 988 at any hour. PAUSD students, parents and staff can call the Uwill line at 833-455-0331, 24/7. Paly and Gunn each have a wellness center with free counseling. allcove Palo Alto at 2741 Middlefield Road offers non-urgent support for ages 12 to 25.
Can a teenager get a Palo Alto library card without a parent?
Teens 14 and older can register on their own with an acceptable photo ID and proof of address. Children under 14 need a parent or guardian who meets the same requirements. Any California resident can get a card.
How can teens join the Palo Alto library's teen advisory board?
The library was accepting applications for its Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB) in fall 2026. It is open to students in grades 8 to 12. Applicants fill out a volunteer form and complete a Livescan background check. Members help plan teen programs and write reading lists and blog posts.