Skip to main content

Excellent

#179 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 2% in state

Bowditch Middle

Middle School · San Mateo-Foster City

1450 Tarpon St., Foster City, CA 94404

Enrollment

893

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

9.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#179 of 9,539

In Foster City

#1 of 5

public schools

In district

#3 of 21

San Mateo-Foster City

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Bowditch Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Bowditch Middle

9.2/10

Middle School in Foster City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Audubon Elementary

8.6/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Brewer Island Elementary

8.7/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bowditch Middle

Bowditch Middle is a public middle school in Foster City, CA, part of San Mateo-Foster City. Bowditch Middle serves approximately 893 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Bowditch Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #179 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Bowditch Middle show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 9.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.9
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Bowditch Middle runs 20.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+37.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.6 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,671
Chronic Absenteeism12.1%

Bowditch Middle — Students at Bowditch Middle score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 78.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
68%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
73%
ELA
79%
2015
Math
73%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
73%
ELA
79%
2017
Math
78%
ELA
81%
2018
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2019
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
73.4%
ELA
77.3%
2024
Math
71.9%
ELA
75.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.

How Bowditch Middle Compares

See how Bowditch Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.2/10
98th percentile in CA
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1450 Tarpon St., Foster City, CA 94404

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bowditch Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Design Tech High (rated 9.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Redwood City), with a very similar rating. Another option is Parkside Montessori (rated 9.1/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), with a very similar rating. Additionally, George Hall Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Foster City, see our Foster City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Audubon Elementary Foster City 0.8 mi 8.6
Brewer Island Elementary Foster City 0.7 mi 8.7
Redwood Shores Elementary Redwood City 1.1 mi 8.0
Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School Foster City 1.0 mi
RONALD C WORNICK JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Foster City 1.0 mi 7.5
Beach Park Elementary Foster City 1.1 mi 5.3
Kids' Connection Foster City 1.2 mi
KIDS CONNECTION ELEMENTARY Foster City 1.2 mi 5.6
Sandpiper Elementary Redwood City 1.6 mi 7.4
Foster City Elementary Foster City 1.7 mi 8.9
Design Tech High Redwood City 2.0 mi 9.2
Fusion Academy San Mateo-Foster City San Mateo 1.7 mi
FUSION ACADEMY SAN MATEO FOSTER CITY San Mateo 1.7 mi 7.3
San Mateo County Special Education Redwood City 2.5 mi 4.1
Nesbit Elementary Belmont 2.8 mi 7.4
George Hall Elementary San Mateo 2.8 mi 9.0
Bayside Academy San Mateo 2.6 mi 7.2
Parkside Montessori San Mateo 2.7 mi 9.1
Central Elementary Belmont 3.1 mi 8.8
Fiesta Gardens International Elementary San Mateo 2.8 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94404 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$182,417

Median Home Value

$1,682,700

Median Rent

$3,501/mo

Population

35,950

College Educated

74.5%

Homeownership

51.1%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

4.7%

Median Age

40.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle Palo Alto, CA 9.2
Garvey (Richard) Intermediate Rosemead, CA 9.2
Ralston Intermediate Belmont, CA 9.2
Sam H. Lawson Middle Cupertino, CA 9.2
Hillview Middle Menlo Park, CA 9.1
Orinda Intermediate Orinda, CA 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bowditch Middle

What grades does Bowditch Middle serve?

Bowditch Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Bowditch Middle?

Bowditch Middle has an enrollment of approximately 893 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowditch Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Bowditch Middle is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bowditch Middle rank in CA?

Bowditch Middle ranks #179 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Bowditch Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowditch Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bowditch Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bowditch Middle has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Bowditch Middle a charter school?

No, Bowditch Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bowditch Middle a Title I school?

No, Bowditch Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bowditch Middle?

18.4% of students at Bowditch Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
65 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
893
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Mateo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

District

San Mateo-Foster City
District Enrollment
9,945
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,671
District Rank
#3 of 21

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.