Photo: Us Census Bureau · Public domainHighlands’s public schools outscore 86% of California districts
51% of students in Highlands’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Highlands, 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 93% 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.
Highlands’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 102 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Highlands’s, its schools beat 32%, lower than their 86% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 51% 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
San Mateo Union High spends $26,598 per student and San Mateo-Foster City Elementary $21,975, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 Highlands’s grade
A: better than 86% of California school districts. 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 Highlands, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Highlands
Highlands Elementary
Grades K–5 · 379 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in San Mateo
1st grade in Highlands
Highlands Elementary
Grades K–5 · 379 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in San Mateo
2nd grade in Highlands
Highlands Elementary
Grades K–5 · 379 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in San Mateo
3rd grade in Highlands
Highlands Elementary
Grades K–5 · 379 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in San Mateo
4th grade in Highlands
Highlands Elementary
Grades K–5 · 379 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in San Mateo
5th grade in Highlands
Highlands Elementary
Grades K–5 · 379 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in San Mateo
Highlands runs its own schools through grade 8 (San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the San Mateo Union High School District, shared with Burlingame, Foster City, Hillsborough, Millbrae, San Bruno and San Mateo. Its middle school is in Foster City. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Highlands
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
Highlands vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Highlands’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands | A | San Mateo-Foster City Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
| San Mateo | A | San Mateo-Foster City Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
| Hillsborough | A+ | Hillsborough City Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
All 2 neighbors share San Mateo Union High with Highlands for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Highlands
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).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Hillcrest at Youth Services Center, Gateway Center and Margaret J. Kemp).
Questions about Highlands’s schools
Are Highlands’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Highlands children attend outscore 86% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 32%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Highlands in?
Two districts: San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and San Mateo Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Burlingame, Foster City, Hillsborough, Millbrae, San Bruno and San Mateo.
Where do Highlands kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Aragon High, Hillsdale High, Burlingame High, San Mateo High, Mills High and Capuchino High.
What is Highlands’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in San Mateo Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Highlands spend per student?
$26,598 in San Mateo Union High School District and $21,975 in San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Highlands families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Highlands → 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.