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Elementary Schools in San Mateo, California: San Mateo schools average near the state. The 71.1-point spread is where the choice actually lives.

Near Average2024–25 data14 schools · avg 45.2/100

San Mateo, California has 14 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 45.2/100 — within 0.4 points of the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is College Park Elementary at 91/100, where 61.2% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. San Mateo schools average 24.0% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 14 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.2% (near the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
45.2
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
71.1
19.6 – 90.7
Avg Exceeded %
24.0%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
18.2%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
14
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary14Developing
45.2/100
24.0%+0.4
High3Solid
63.1/100
36.7%+19.4
Middle2Developing
45.5/100
20.1%+2.9

How San Mateo schools compare

San Mateo has 14 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 45.2/100 — within 0.4 points of the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is College Park Elementary with a Scope Score of 91 and 61.2% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. San Mateo schools average 24.0% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.

Chronic absenteeism in San Mateo averages 18.2% — near the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

School archetypes in San Mateo

3 Strong All-Around3 Culture First1 High Ceiling7 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in San Mateo

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1College Park Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City High Ceiling
61.2%Strong
91/100
2Aragon High
San Mateo Union High Strong All-Around
44.7%Strong
71/100
3George Hall Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Strong All-Around
42.6%Solid
63/100
4Hillsdale High
San Mateo Union High Strong All-Around
32.6%Solid
60/100
5North Shoreview Montessori
San Mateo-Foster City Strong All-Around
43.6%Solid
59/100
6Highlands Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Strong All-Around
35.3%Solid
58/100
7San Mateo High
San Mateo Union High Strong All-Around
32.7%Solid
58/100
8Baywood Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Culture First
37.0%Solid
54/100
9Parkside Montessori
San Mateo-Foster City Culture First
25.7%Solid
53/100
10Borel Middle
San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum
23.3%Developing
48/100
11Meadow Heights Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum
22.0%Developing
46/100
12Abbott Middle
San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum
16.9%Developing
43/100
13Bayside Academy
San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum
16.0%Developing
42/100
14Fiesta Gardens International Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Culture First
11.8%Developing
41/100
15Laurel Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum
10.3%Developing
34/100
16Beresford Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum
16.8%Needs Support
28/100
17LEAD Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum
4.4%Needs Support
22/100
18San Mateo Park Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum
3.8%Needs Support
22/100
19Sunnybrae Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum
4.7%Needs Support
20/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 19 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in San Mateo

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

The Nueva School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-12 · 949 students
6:1Private
Junipero Serra High School
Roman Catholic · Grades 9-12 · 860 students
16:1Private
St. Gregory School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 303 students
22:1Private
Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew
Church of God · Grades Pre-K-8 · 280 students
8:1Private
The Carey School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-5 · 240 students
6:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about San Mateo

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in San Mateo good?
San Mateo's 14 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 45.2/100, which is within 0.4 points of the state average. 24.0% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in San Mateo?
The highest-scoring elementary school in San Mateo is College Park Elementary with a Scope Score of 91/100 and 61.2% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do San Mateo schools compare to the state average?
San Mateo elementary schools average a Scope Score of 45.2/100 — within 0.4 points of the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 24.0% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.2% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in San Mateo?
San Mateo has 14 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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