Best Schools in San Carlos, California
13 schools · 11 Elementary · 2 Middle
Choosing a school in San Carlos?
Use this page to compare every school in San Carlos 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.
Mariposa
Elementary · San Carlos Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Brittan Acres Elementary
Elementary · San Carlos Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Arundel Elementary
Elementary · San Carlos Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in San Carlos for 2026 are Mariposa (9.7/10), Brittan Acres Elementary (9.5/10), and Arundel Elementary (9.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 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
13
9 public · 4 private
Avg Score
8.6
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
13
9 public · 4 private
Avg Score
8.6
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +5.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among San Carlos schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in San Carlos
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (11 of 13). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mariposa | 9.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Brittan Acres Elementary | 9.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Arundel Elementary | 9.4 / 10 |
| 4 | White Oaks Elementary | 9.3 / 10 |
| 5 | San Carlos Charter Learning Center | 9.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Central Middle | 9.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Arroyo | 9.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Tierra Linda Middle | 8.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Heather Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Kindercourt Academy | 6.5 / 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
- 8.6/10
- Median household income
- $235,373
- Median home value
- $2,000,001
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 68%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
82% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How San Carlos compares
California rank
#3 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+2.3
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$235k
236% of California median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in San Carlos, California
San Carlos, California is home to 13 schools, including 9 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools.
With an average rating of 8.6 out of 10, schools in San Carlos perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in San Carlos is Mariposa with a composite score of 9.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
San Carlos is served by 2 school districts: San Carlos Charter Learning Center District, San Carlos Elementary. These districts collectively serve 3,137 students.
San Carlos's community shows 68% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $235,373. The poverty rate in the area is 3.2%.
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
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 286 students · 4th–5th | 9.7 | ||
| 2 | 372 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.5 | ||
| 3 | 376 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.4 | ||
| 4 | 244 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.3 | ||
| 5 | 367 students · Kindergarten–8th | 9.2 | ||
| 6 | 287 students · 4th–5th | 9.2 | ||
| 7 | 308 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 8.4 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Kindercourt Academy
Private
45 students · Kindergarten–TK | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | St Charles School
Private
276 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.2 | ||
| 3 | Arbor Bay
Private
29 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in San Carlos
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 434 students · 6th–8th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 458 students · 6th–8th | 8.9 |
Schools in San Carlos
San Carlos, California · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$235,373
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$2,802/mo
Population
30,696
College Educated
68%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Community Profile
San Carlos has a median household income of $235,373. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $2,802/month. The local poverty rate of 3.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
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 San Carlos, California
How many schools are in San Carlos, California?
San Carlos has 13 schools, including 9 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Carlos, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Carlos is 8.6 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 San Carlos, California?
The top-ranked school in San Carlos on MySchoolScout is Mariposa with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Carlos, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Carlos on MySchoolScout is Mariposa with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best middle school in San Carlos, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Carlos on MySchoolScout is Central Middle with a composite score of 9.2/10.
How many school districts serve San Carlos, California?
San Carlos is served by 2 school districts: San Carlos Charter Learning Center District, San Carlos Elementary.
What is the education level in San Carlos, California?
According to Census data, 68% of adults in San Carlos have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Carlos, California?
The median household income in San Carlos is approximately $235,373 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in San Carlos, California?
Yes, San Carlos has 4 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Kindercourt Academy with a score of 6.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Carlos, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Carlos is 17.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Carlos, 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 Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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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.