Best Schools in Redwood City, California
52 schools · 34 Elementary · 4 Middle · 11 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Redwood City?
Use this page to compare every school in Redwood 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.
Orion Alternative
Elementary · Redwood City Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Rocketship Los Suenos Academy
Elementary · Rocketship Los Suenos Academy District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Design Tech High
High · Design Tech High District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Redwood City for 2026 are Orion Alternative (9.0/10), Rocketship Los Suenos Academy (8.6/10), and Design Tech High (8.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 34 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
52
37 public · 15 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$1,324,034
home value · ACS
Districts
22
serving the city
Schools
52
37 public · 15 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$1,324,034
home value · ACS
Districts
22
serving the city
Rates 8.6/10 despite 86% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Redwood City schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +13.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Redwood City schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Redwood City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 34 rated schools; 52 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orion Alternative | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Rocketship Los Suenos Academy | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Design Tech High | 8.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Clifford Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Rocketship Si Se Puede Academy | 7.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Redwood Shores Elementary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Rocketship Discovery Prep | 7.6 / 10 |
| 8 | North Star Academy | 7.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Henry Ford Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Roosevelt Elementary | 7.5 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $147,567
- Median home value
- $1,324,034
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 46%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Redwood City compares
California rank
#267 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$148k
148% of California median
Schools in this city
39
22 districts draw attendance lines through Redwood City
Redwood City is not one school system. 22 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 27% of the public campuses.
Redwood City Elementary is the largest slice at 10 of 37 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Redwood City address is choosing a district first.
Among 34 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.7 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Redwood City, not a citywide average.
18 of the 37 public schools are charters (49%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Redwood City Elementary10 public · 27%
- San Mateo County Office of Education4 public · 11%
- Sequoia Union High3 public · 8%
- Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary2 public · 5%
- Connect Community Charter District1 public · 3%
About Schools in Redwood City, California
Redwood City's public school system spans 34 ranked schools with an average score of 5.6 out of 10 — a middle-of-the-road baseline that masks significant variation across the city. Parents should know upfront that performance here is uneven: 11 schools, or 32% of the total, score 7 or higher, while the remaining majority fall below that threshold. That spread means neighborhood and school selection matter more than citywide averages.
At the top, Redwood Shores Elementary leads all ranked schools with an 8.1 out of 10, making it the highest-performing public school in the city. Tide Academy, a high school, matches that score at 8.1, and Rocketship Academy Brilliant Minds reaches 8.0 at the elementary level. North Star Academy earns an 8.0 among middle schools, and Design Tech High rounds out the top five at 7.9. The presence of strong options at every grade band — elementary, middle, and high school — means families can find competitive schools across the full K–12 range rather than having to settle at any single transition point.
The city's school landscape reflects broader San Mateo County diversity. Charter options like Rocketship Academy Brilliant Minds and Design Tech High give families alternatives to traditional district assignments, particularly relevant for parents whose neighborhood school falls below the 7+ threshold. Design Tech High's profile as a project-based learning environment stands out for families prioritizing applied, technology-forward coursework at the secondary level. Tide Academy's matching score at the high school level also signals that top-end secondary options exist within the public system.
Practically, parents researching Redwood City should start by identifying their assigned schools, then check whether any of the 11 higher-scoring schools — especially the five at 7.9 or above — are accessible through open enrollment or charter applications. The 5.6 city average signals that defaulting to an assigned school without research carries real risk. Families willing to navigate enrollment options have access to genuinely strong public schools, but proximity alone is not a reliable guide to quality here.
Elementary Schools
34 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 461 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 355 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
| 3 | 673 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.0 |
| 4 | 304 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 |
| 5 | 408 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.7 |
| 6 | 401 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 7 | 458 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 |
| 8 | 453 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.5 |
| 9 | 615 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.4 |
| 10 | 314 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 |
Show all 34 elementary schools in Redwood City
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 527 students · 3rd–8th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 751 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 | ||
| 3 | 445 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Holy Family SchoolPrivate 28 students · 1st–7th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 537 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 1,903 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 3 | 281 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 4 | 208 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 5 | 192 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 6 | 379 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 7 | 8 students · 5th–12th | — | ||
| 8 | 3 students · 7th–12th | — | ||
| 9 | 8 students · 7th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Stanford Online High SchoolPrivate 985 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 high schools in Redwood City
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 41 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Creative Learning CenterPrivate 52 students · 2nd–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 3 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Redwood City
Redwood City, California · 52 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 6 ZIP codes
Median Income
$147,567
Median Home Value
$1,324,034
Median Rent
$2,616/mo
Population
130,421
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
46%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Community Profile
Redwood City has a median household income of $147,567. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,324,034, with a median rent of $2,616/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 34
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 11
- Other
- 3
Resources
School Districts (22)
Rocketship Si Se Puede Academy District
1 school · 304 students
Rocketship Discovery Prep District
1 school · 401 students
Rocketship Alma Academy District
1 school · 526 students
Rocketship Rising Stars District
1 school · 614 students
Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary District
1 school · 486 students
Rocketship Redwood City District
1 school · 314 students
Rocketship Academy Brilliant Minds District
1 school · 486 students
KIPP Excelencia Community Preparatory District
1 school · 702 students
Rocketship Spark Academy District
1 school · 544 students
Rocketship Futuro Academy District
1 school · 654 students
Rocketship Los Suenos Academy District
1 school · 355 students
Everest Public High District
1 school · 281 students
Rocketship Delta Prep District
1 school · 604 students
Summit Preparatory Charter High District
1 school · 379 students
Connect Community Charter District
1 school · 132 students
Rocketship Fuerza Community Prep District
1 school · 540 students
Design Tech High District
1 school · 537 students
Rocketship Mosaic Elementary District
1 school · 561 students
Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary
7 schools · 4,019 students
Redwood City Elementary
12 schools · 6,332 students
Sequoia Union High
6 schools · 8,553 students
San Mateo County Office of Education
5 schools · 77 students
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 Redwood City, California
How many schools are in Redwood City, California?
Redwood City has 52 schools, including 37 public and 15 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Redwood City, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Redwood City is 6.4 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 Redwood City, California?
The top-ranked school in Redwood City on MySchoolScout is Orion Alternative with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Redwood City, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Redwood City on MySchoolScout is Orion Alternative with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Redwood City, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Redwood City on MySchoolScout is North Star Academy with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Redwood City, California?
The top-ranked high school in Redwood City on MySchoolScout is Design Tech High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Redwood City, California?
Redwood City is served by 22 school districts: Rocketship Si Se Puede Academy District, Rocketship Discovery Prep District, Rocketship Alma Academy District, Rocketship Rising Stars District, Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary District, Rocketship Redwood City District, Rocketship Academy Brilliant Minds District, Kipp Excelencia Community Preparatory District, Rocketship Spark Academy District, Rocketship Futuro Academy District, Rocketship Los Suenos Academy District, Everest Public High District, Rocketship Delta Prep District, Summit Preparatory Charter High District, Connect Community Charter District, Rocketship Fuerza Community Prep District, Design Tech High District, Rocketship Mosaic Elementary District, Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary, Redwood City Elementary, Sequoia Union High, San Mateo County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Redwood City, California?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Redwood City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Redwood City, California?
The median household income in Redwood City is approximately $147,567 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Redwood City, California?
Yes, Redwood City has 15 private schools alongside 37 public schools. The top-rated private school is Creative Learning Center with a score of 6.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Redwood City, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Redwood City is 21.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Redwood 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.