Palo Alto public schools -do- rank very highly. There are also preschool programs run by the Stanford education college that are well-regarded. Local private schools rank among the best in the nation (as well as being absurdly expensive), and you will find lots of kids that go to school all over the world...their parents can afford it.

I get that you don't like Palo Alto. Its not Oz. But you seem to be casting it as a dumpy suburb that has exploded for no reason.

(edit: wow, you really don't like Palo Alto!)