Photo: CityofSanCarlos · CC BY-SA 4.0San Carlos’s public schools outscore 95% of California districts
62% of students in San Carlos’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving San Carlos, 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.
San Carlos’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 119 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of San Carlos’s, its schools beat 72%, lower than their 95% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 75% and math 62% 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
Sequoia Union High spends $27,344 per student and San Carlos Elementary $19,122, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
San Carlos Charter Learning Center, St. Charles School (private) and Arbor Bay 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 San Carlos’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 San Carlos, with each school’s own grade.
4th grade in San Carlos · depends on your address
Mariposa
Grades 4–5 · 322 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Arroyo
Grades 4–5 · 290 students · 22:1 students per teacher
5th grade in San Carlos · depends on your address
Mariposa
Grades 4–5 · 322 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Arroyo
Grades 4–5 · 290 students · 22:1 students per teacher
6th grade in San Carlos · depends on your address
Tierra Linda Middle
Grades 6–8 · 451 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Central Middle
Grades 6–8 · 443 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in San Carlos · depends on your address
Tierra Linda Middle
Grades 6–8 · 451 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Central Middle
Grades 6–8 · 443 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in San Carlos · depends on your address
Tierra Linda Middle
Grades 6–8 · 451 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Central Middle
Grades 6–8 · 443 students · 22:1 students per teacher
San Carlos runs its own schools through grade 8 (San Carlos 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 and Woodside. Its high school is in Belmont. Parts of San Carlos (7% and 6% of its land) are served by Redwood City Elementary and Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve San Carlos
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
San Carlos vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share San Carlos’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| San Carlos | A+ | San Carlos 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 |
| Belmont | A+ | Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Sequoia Union High with San Carlos for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in San Carlos
16 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (San Carlos Student Services Preschool).
Questions about San Carlos’s schools
Are San Carlos’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools San Carlos 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 72%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is San Carlos in?
Two districts: San Carlos 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 and Woodside.
Where do San Carlos 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 San Carlos’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 San Carlos spend per student?
$27,344 in Sequoia Union High School District and $19,122 in San Carlos Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in San Carlos?
Yes: St. Charles School (Catholic, grades K–8, 263 students) and Arbor Bay School (special education, grades 1–8, 29 students). San Carlos also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What San Carlos families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near San Carlos → 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.