Best Schools in San Carlos, California
13 schools · 11 Elementary · 2 Middle
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.7/10
- 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%
64% 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
#17 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.4
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 7.7 out of 10, schools in San Carlos perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in San Carlos is Mariposa with a composite score of 9.4/10, 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 | 9.4 | ||
| 2 | 376 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.2 | ||
| 3 | 372 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.2 | ||
| 4 | 287 students · 4th–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 5 | 367 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.4 | ||
| 6 | 308 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 6.0 | ||
| 7 | 244 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 5.4 | ||
| 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 | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ST CHARLES SCHOOL
Private
276 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Arbor Bay
Private
29 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | ARBOR BAY SCHOOL
Private
29 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 458 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 434 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
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.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 13
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 2
- Districts
- 2
- Avg Rating
- 7.7/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently 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 7.7 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 9.4/10.
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 9.4/10.
What is the best middle school in San Carlos, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Carlos on MySchoolScout is Tierra Linda Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10.
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
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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.