Summary:
The 94403 zip code in San Mateo, California, is served by nine public schools across two districts, including seven elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, educating roughly 5,300 students.
Parents will find a mix of high-performing and struggling schools. Standouts include Parkside Montessori, which has the highest test scores and remarkably low absenteeism, and George Hall Elementary, known for strong math performance. At the high school level, Hillsdale High excels with high graduation rates and English proficiency. In contrast, Laurel Elementary faces significant challenges with the lowest test scores and highest absenteeism in the area, while Abbott Middle shows lower performance than its feeder elementary schools.
An interesting finding is that higher per-student spending does not automatically mean better results; some lower-funded schools outperform those with more resources. The San Mateo-Foster City elementary district shows pronounced disparities, with schools having lower rates of economic disadvantage consistently outperforming others. The strong results at Parkside Montessori suggest its educational model is effective, and Hillsdale High's success indicates it provides good support for students arriving with varying academic backgrounds.
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