Best Schools in Foster City, California
7 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle
Choosing a school in Foster City?
Use this page to compare every school in Foster City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Bowditch Middle
Middle · San Mateo-Foster City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Foster City Elementary
Elementary · San Mateo-Foster City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Beach Park Elementary
Elementary · San Mateo-Foster City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Foster City for 2026 are Bowditch Middle (7.7/10), Foster City Elementary (6.3/10), and Beach Park Elementary (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$1,682,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$1,682,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +1.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Foster City schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Foster City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bowditch Middle | 7.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Foster City Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Beach Park Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Brewer Island Elementary | 5.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Audubon Elementary | 4.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $182,417
- Median home value
- $1,682,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 75%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 51%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Foster City compares
California rank
#367 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$182k
183% of California median
Schools in this city
7
San Mateo-Foster City runs Foster City's public schools
5 public schools. San Mateo-Foster City is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Foster City is a San Mateo-Foster City school (5 of 5).
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.7 to 7.7 — the spread is inside Foster City, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Foster City, California
Foster City, California is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Foster City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Foster City is Bowditch Middle with a composite score of 7.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Foster City is served by 1 school district: San Mateo-Foster City. These districts collectively serve 9,945 students.
Foster City's community shows 75% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $182,417. The poverty rate in the area is 4.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 679 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 2 | 286 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 3 | 360 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 4 | 505 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.7 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 199 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Kids Connection ElementaryPrivate 188 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 893 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
Schools in Foster City
Foster City, California · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$182,417
Median Home Value
$1,682,700
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
Population
35,950
College Educated
75%
Homeownership
51%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Community Profile
Foster City has a median household income of $182,417. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,682,700, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Foster City, California
How many schools are in Foster City, California?
Foster City has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Foster City, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Foster City is 6.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Foster City, California?
The top-ranked school in Foster City on MySchoolScout is Bowditch Middle with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Foster City, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Foster City on MySchoolScout is Foster City Elementary with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Foster City, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Foster City on MySchoolScout is Bowditch Middle with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Foster City, California?
Foster City is served by 1 school district: San Mateo-Foster City.
What is the education level in Foster City, California?
According to Census data, 75% of adults in Foster City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Foster City, California?
The median household income in Foster City is approximately $182,417 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Foster City, California?
Yes, Foster City has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ronald C Wornick Jewish Day School with a score of 7.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Foster City, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Foster City is 18.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Foster City, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.