Best High Schools in Zip Code 94402

Zip code 94402 in San Mateo, California, is served by three high schools—Aragon High, Hillcrest at Youth Services Center, and Gateway Center—which represent two very different educational models: a large, traditional comprehensive high school and two much smaller alternative schools for specialized populations.

Aragon High is the standout comprehensive school, consistently ranking in the top 5% of California high schools with a 98.2% graduation rate and strong test scores, all while operating with significantly lower per-student funding than the alternative schools. In contrast, Hillcrest and Gateway Center serve fewer than 20 students each, receive over ten times more funding per student to support their specialized missions, and show very different outcomes, such as Hillcrest's reported 0% chronic absenteeism versus Gateway's 78.9%.

For parents, this area offers a high-performing traditional option in Aragon High, which excels within the San Mateo Union High district. The two alternative schools, overseen by the San Mateo County Office of Education, serve specific at-risk populations with intensive resources, resulting in a stark contrast in scale, student need, and reported outcomes compared to the comprehensive high school.