Ernest Coxhead House · Photo: Eugene Zelenko · CC BY-SA 4.0San Mateo’s public schools outscore 86% of California districts
In San Mateo, 51% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving San Mateo, 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.
San Mateo’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 292 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of San Mateo’s, its schools beat 78%, 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 ↓
Choice beyond the district
The Nueva School (private), Jserra Catholic High School (private), Junipero Serra High School (private), St. Matthew Catholic School (private), Episcopal Day School of ST. Matthew (private), St. Gregory School (private), The Carey School (private), St. Timothy School (private), Centennial Montessori School (private), Pacific Rim Int'l School (private), Fusion Academy - San Mateo (private), The Burkard School (private), Up Academy (private) and Building Kidz 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 Mateo’s grade
A: better than 86% of California school districts, #107 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 Mateo, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in San Mateo · depends on your address
Aragon High
Grades 9–12 · 1,658 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Hillsdale High
Grades 9–12 · 1,585 students · 19:1 students per teacher
San Mateo High
Grades 9–12 · 1,557 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in San Mateo · depends on your address
Aragon High
Grades 9–12 · 1,658 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Hillsdale High
Grades 9–12 · 1,585 students · 19:1 students per teacher
San Mateo High
Grades 9–12 · 1,557 students · 20:1 students per teacher
San Mateo 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 and San Bruno. Parts of San Mateo (4% and 4% of its land) are served by Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary and Sequoia Union High instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve San Mateo
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 Mateo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share San Mateo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Belmont | A+ | Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Foster City | A | San Mateo-Foster City Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
| Burlingame | A+ | Burlingame Elementary K–8 · San Mateo Union High 9–12 |
3 of the 4 neighbors share San Mateo Union High with San Mateo for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in San Mateo
33 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 San Mateo’s schools
Are San Mateo’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools San Mateo children attend outscore 86% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #107 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 78%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is San Mateo 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 and San Bruno.
Where do San Mateo kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Aragon High, Hillsdale High and San Mateo High.
What is San Mateo’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 San Mateo 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.
Are there private schools in San Mateo?
Yes: The Nueva School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 966 students), Jserra Catholic High School (catholic · all-boys, grades 9–12, 863 students), Junipero Serra High School (catholic · all-boys, grades 9–12, 859 students), St. Matthew Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 625 students), Episcopal Day School of ST. Matthew (religious, grades PK–8, 308 students), St. Gregory School (Catholic, grades K–8, 297 students), The Carey School (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 290 students), St. Timothy School (Catholic, grades K–8, 152 students), Centennial Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK, 100 students), Pacific Rim Int'l School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 51 students), Fusion Academy - San Mateo (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 37 students), The Burkard School (special education, grades 2–8, 34 students), Up Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 24 students) and Building Kidz School (nonsectarian, grades K, 12 students).
Parents talk
What San Mateo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near San Mateo → 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.