Photo: Gary gary gary at en.wikipedia · CC BY 3.0Hillsborough’s public schools outscore 95% of California districts
Math proficiency in Hillsborough’s districts is 61%, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Hillsborough, 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 83% 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.
Hillsborough’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 102 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Hillsborough’s, its schools beat 57%, lower than their 95% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 78% and math 61% 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 Hillsborough City Elementary $30,970, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Crystal Springs Uplands School (private), La Petite Montessori School LLC (private) and The Bridge 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 Hillsborough’s grade
A+: better than 95% of California school districts, #29 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 Hillsborough, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Hillsborough · depends on your address
West Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 275 students · 15:1 students per teacher
North Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 274 students · 14:1 students per teacher
South Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 244 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Hillsborough · depends on your address
West Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 275 students · 15:1 students per teacher
North Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 274 students · 14:1 students per teacher
South Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 244 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Hillsborough · depends on your address
West Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 275 students · 15:1 students per teacher
North Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 274 students · 14:1 students per teacher
South Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 244 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Hillsborough · depends on your address
West Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 275 students · 15:1 students per teacher
North Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 274 students · 14:1 students per teacher
South Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 244 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Hillsborough · depends on your address
West Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 275 students · 15:1 students per teacher
North Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 274 students · 14:1 students per teacher
South Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 244 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Hillsborough · depends on your address
West Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 275 students · 15:1 students per teacher
North Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 274 students · 14:1 students per teacher
South Hillsborough
Grades K–5 · 244 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Hillsborough
Crocker Middle
Grades 6–8 · 446 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Hillsborough
Crocker Middle
Grades 6–8 · 446 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Hillsborough
Crocker Middle
Grades 6–8 · 446 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Hillsborough runs its own schools through grade 8 (Hillsborough City Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the San Mateo Union High School District, shared with Burlingame, Foster City, Millbrae, San Bruno and San Mateo. Its high school is in San Mateo. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Hillsborough
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
Hillsborough vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Hillsborough’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | A+ | Hillsborough City Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
| Burlingame | A+ | Burlingame 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 |
All 2 neighbors share San Mateo Union High with Hillsborough for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Hillsborough
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).
Questions about Hillsborough’s schools
Are Hillsborough’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Hillsborough children attend outscore 95% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #29 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 57%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Hillsborough in?
Two districts: Hillsborough City Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and San Mateo Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Burlingame, Foster City, Millbrae, San Bruno and San Mateo.
Where do Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough’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 Hillsborough spend per student?
$26,598 in San Mateo Union High School District and $30,970 in Hillsborough City Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Hillsborough?
Yes: Crystal Springs Uplands School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 569 students), La Petite Montessori School LLC (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 14 students) and The Bridge School (special education, grades K–5, 8 students).
Parents talk
What Hillsborough families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hillsborough → 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.