John Dielmann House · Photo: BriefEdits · CC BY-SA 4.0Redwood City’s public schools outscore 85% of California districts
In Redwood City, 51% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Redwood City, 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 96% 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.
Redwood City’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 272 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Redwood City’s, its schools beat 75%, lower than their 85% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 61% and math 51% across its 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
Sequoia Union High spends $27,344 per student and Redwood City Elementary $23,614, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then six middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Rocketship Redwood City, Summit Preparatory Charter High, Design Tech High, Stanford Online High School (private), Redeemer Lutheran School (private), St. Pius Elementary School (private), Harper School (private), Weingarten Childrens Center (private), Redwoods International Montessori House of Chldrn (private) and Casa Dei Bambini School Inc (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 Redwood City’s grade
A: better than 85% of California school districts, #122 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 Redwood City, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Redwood City
Sequoia High
Grades 9–12 · 1,854 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Redwood City
Sequoia High
Grades 9–12 · 1,854 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Redwood City
Sequoia High
Grades 9–12 · 1,854 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Redwood City
Sequoia High
Grades 9–12 · 1,854 students · 18:1 students per teacher
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Redwood City
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
Redwood City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Redwood City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood City | A | Redwood City Elementary K–8 · Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Woodside | A | Woodside Elementary K–8 · Portola Valley Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| San Carlos | A+ | San Carlos Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Menlo Park | A− | Ravenswood City Elementary K–8 · Menlo Park City Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Foster City | A | San Mateo-Foster City Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
| Belmont | A+ | 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 |
5 of the 6 neighbors share Sequoia Union High with Redwood City for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Redwood City
24 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 Redwood City’s schools
Are Redwood City’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Redwood City children attend outscore 85% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #122 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 75%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Redwood City in?
Sequoia Union High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 8,419 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Redwood City kids go to high school?
Sequoia High, with 1,854 students.
What is Redwood City’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 Redwood City spend per student?
$27,344 in Sequoia Union High School District, $23,614 in Redwood City Elementary School District and $15,591 in Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Redwood City?
Yes: Stanford Online High School (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 985 students), Redeemer Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 185 students), St. Pius Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 158 students), Harper School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 50 students), Weingarten Childrens Center (special education, grades PK–K, 37 students), Redwoods International Montessori House of Chldrn (nonsectarian, grades PK, 27 students) and Casa Dei Bambini School Inc (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 26 students). Redwood City also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Redwood City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Redwood City → 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.