Photo: KenShirriff · CC BY-SA 4.0North Fair Oaks’s public schools outscore 70% of California districts
40% of students in North Fair Oaks’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving North Fair Oaks, 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 95% 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.
North Fair Oaks’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 565 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of North Fair Oaks’s, its schools beat 76%, higher than their 70% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 40% 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
Redwood City Elementary spends $23,614 per student and Sequoia Union High $27,344, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
KIPP Excelencia Community Preparatory, Everest Public High, Connect Community Charter, Synapse School (private), Holy Family School (private) and Wherry Academy (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 North Fair Oaks’s grade
B+: better than 70% of California school districts, #246 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 North Fair Oaks, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in North Fair Oaks
Garfield Elementary
Grades K–5 · 280 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Menlo Park
1st grade in North Fair Oaks
Garfield Elementary
Grades K–5 · 280 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Menlo Park
2nd grade in North Fair Oaks
Garfield Elementary
Grades K–5 · 280 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Menlo Park
3rd grade in North Fair Oaks
Garfield Elementary
Grades K–5 · 280 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Menlo Park
4th grade in North Fair Oaks
Garfield Elementary
Grades K–5 · 280 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Menlo Park
5th grade in North Fair Oaks
Garfield Elementary
Grades K–5 · 280 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Menlo Park
North Fair Oaks runs its own schools through grade 8 (Redwood City Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Sequoia Union High School District, shared with Atherton, Belmont, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos and Woodside. Its middle school is in Redwood City. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve North Fair Oaks
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
North Fair Oaks vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share North Fair Oaks’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| North Fair Oaks | B+ | Redwood City Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Redwood City | A | Redwood City Elementary K–8 · Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Atherton | A+ | Menlo Park City Elementary K–8 · Las Lomitas Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Sequoia Union High with North Fair Oaks for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in North Fair Oaks
18 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 North Fair Oaks’s schools
Are North Fair Oaks’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools North Fair Oaks children attend outscore 70% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #246 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 76%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is North Fair Oaks in?
Two districts: Redwood City Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Sequoia Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Atherton, Belmont, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos and Woodside.
Where do North Fair Oaks kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Carlmont High, Menlo-Atherton High, Sequoia High, Woodside High and Tide Academy.
What is North Fair Oaks’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 North Fair Oaks spend per student?
$23,614 in Redwood City 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 North Fair Oaks?
Yes: Synapse School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 327 students), Holy Family School (Catholic, grades 1–7, 28 students) and Wherry Academy (nonsectarian, grades 5–9, 6 students). North Fair Oaks also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What North Fair Oaks families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near North Fair Oaks → 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.