Photo: Pi.1415926535 · CC BY-SA 3.0Belmont’s public schools outscore 96% of California districts
Math proficiency in Belmont’s districts is 65%, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Belmont, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Belmont’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 178 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Belmont’s, its schools beat 88%, lower than their 96% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 76% and math 65% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary spends $15,591 per student and Sequoia Union High $27,344, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Belmont Oaks Academy (private), Charles Armstrong School (private), Notre Dame Elementary School (private), Serendipity School (private), Immaculate Heart of Mary School (private), Field Middle School (private) and Compass High School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Belmont’s grade
A+: better than 96% of California school districts, #18 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Belmont, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Belmont · depends on your address
Ralston Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 1,082 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Nesbit Elementary
Grades K–8 · 566 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Belmont · depends on your address
Ralston Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 1,082 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Nesbit Elementary
Grades K–8 · 566 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Belmont · depends on your address
Ralston Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 1,082 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Nesbit Elementary
Grades K–8 · 566 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Belmont
Carlmont High
Grades 9–12 · 2,360 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Belmont
Carlmont High
Grades 9–12 · 2,360 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Belmont
Carlmont High
Grades 9–12 · 2,360 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Belmont
Carlmont High
Grades 9–12 · 2,360 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Belmont runs its own schools through grade 8 (Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Sequoia Union High School District, shared with Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos and Woodside. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Belmont
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Belmont vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Belmont’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont | A+ | Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| San Carlos | A+ | San Carlos Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| San Mateo | A | San Mateo-Foster City Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
| Redwood City | A | Redwood City Elementary K–8 · Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Foster City | A | San Mateo-Foster City Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Sequoia Union High with Belmont for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Belmont
13 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Belmont’s schools
Are Belmont’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Belmont children attend outscore 96% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #18 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Belmont in?
Two districts: Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Sequoia Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos and Woodside.
Where do Belmont kids go to high school?
Carlmont High, with 2,360 students.
What is Belmont’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Sequoia Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Belmont spend per student?
$15,591 in Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District and $27,344 in Sequoia Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Belmont?
Yes: Belmont Oaks Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 372 students), Charles Armstrong School (special education, grades 2–8, 239 students), Notre Dame Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 191 students), Serendipity School (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 147 students), Immaculate Heart of Mary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 112 students), Field Middle School (nonsectarian · all-boys, grades 6–8, 45 students) and Compass High School (special education, grades 9–12, 41 students).
Parents talk
What Belmont families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Belmont → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.