Elementary Schools in San Mateo, California

Near Average2024–25 data19 schools · avg 48.1/100

San Mateo, California has 19 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 48.1/100 — 4.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is College Park Elementary at 87/100, where 61.2% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. San Mateo schools average 25.6% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 19 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 17.8% (near the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score

48.1

State avg: 43.8

SchoolScope composite

Score Range

68.0

19.2 – 87.2

Avg Exceeded %

25.6%

State avg: 21.6%

CDE CAASPP 2025

Chronic Absenteeism

17.8%

State avg: 18.1%

CDE Attendance 2025

Schools Ranked

With Scope Scores

How San Mateo schools compare

San Mateo's 19 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 48.1 — 4.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 19.2 to 87.2, a 68.0-point spread.

The top-ranked school is College Park Elementary with a Scope Score of 87 and 61.2% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling schools: San Mateo schools average 25.6% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just getting students to proficiency, they're pushing them further.

Chronic absenteeism in San Mateo averages 17.8%, which is near the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in San Mateo

6 Strong All-Around3 Culture First1 High Ceiling9 Building Momentum

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

Schools in San Mateo ranked by Scope Score

#	School	Exceeded	Score
1	College Park Elementary San Mateo-Foster City High Ceiling	61.2%	Strong 87/100
2	Aragon High San Mateo Union High Strong All-Around	44.7%	Strong 79/100
3	Hillsdale High San Mateo Union High Strong All-Around	32.6%	Solid 66/100
4	San Mateo High San Mateo Union High Strong All-Around	32.7%	Solid 65/100
5	North Shoreview Montessori San Mateo-Foster City Strong All-Around	43.6%	Solid 63/100
6	George Hall Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Strong All-Around	42.6%	Solid 62/100
7	Highlands Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Strong All-Around	35.3%	Solid 59/100
8	Baywood Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Culture First	37.0%	Solid 56/100
9	Parkside Montessori San Mateo-Foster City Culture First	25.7%	Solid 53/100
10	Borel Middle San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum	23.3%	Developing 45/100
11	Meadow Heights Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum	22.0%	Developing 44/100
12	Abbott Middle San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum	16.9%	Developing 39/100
13	Bayside Academy San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum	16.0%	Developing 38/100
14	Fiesta Gardens International Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Culture First	11.8%	Developing 37/100
15	Beresford Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum	16.8%	Developing 33/100
16	Laurel Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum	10.3%	Needs Support 29/100
17	LEAD Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum	4.4%	Needs Support 20/100
18	Sunnybrae Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum	4.7%	Needs Support 20/100
19	San Mateo Park Elementary San Mateo-Foster City Building Momentum	3.8%	Needs Support 19/100

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

Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
Parent and community engagement levels
Quality of special education and gifted programs
How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in San Mateo good?

San Mateo's 19 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 48.1/100, which is 4.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. 25.6% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC 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 87/100 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 48.1 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (4.3 points above). The exceeded rate averages 25.6% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 17.8% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 19.2 to 87.2, a 68.0-point spread.

How many schools are in San Mateo?

San Mateo has 19 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 six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner 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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