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Very Good

#1581 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 17% 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

7.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Foster City

#1 of 5

public schools

California middle schools

#185 of 1,349

In district

#4 of 21

San Mateo-Foster City

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Bowditch Middle

Bowditch Middle serves 893 students in grades 6-8 in Foster City, delivering exceptional academic results that place it among California's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranking #328 out of 9,566 schools statewide, Bowditch consistently demonstrates academic excellence across all grade levels. The school's strong performance is evident in its standardized test results, with 75% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 72% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

These impressive outcomes reflect the dedication of 43 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, allowing for meaningful classroom instruction and support. Bowditch Middle benefits from its location in an affluent and highly educated community, where 73% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $182,699. This supportive environment, combined with the school's commitment to academic rigor, creates an atmosphere where students are well-prepared for high school and beyond.

Located on Tarpon Street in Foster City, Bowditch Middle sits in a well-planned suburban community in San Mateo County, offering students access to both excellent educational opportunities and the cultural richness of the greater Bay Area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Bowditch Middle is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75.5%
Math vs. State Avg+37.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.6 pts
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,570

Bowditch Middle — Students at Bowditch Middle score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

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 72.5%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 76.5%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
78%
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: 6.9/10.

How Bowditch Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

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. George Hall Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkside Montessori (rated 8.9/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Redwood Shores Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Redwood City), 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 7.4
Brewer Island Elementary Foster City 0.7 mi 7.7
Redwood Shores Elementary Redwood City 1.1 mi 8.1
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 5.0
Kids' Connection Foster City 1.2 mi
KIDS CONNECTION ELEMENTARY Foster City 1.2 mi 5.6
Sandpiper Elementary Redwood City 1.6 mi 5.2
Foster City Elementary Foster City 1.7 mi 7.1
Design Tech High Redwood City 2.0 mi 7.9
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 7.4
Nesbit Elementary Belmont 2.8 mi 4.6
George Hall Elementary San Mateo 2.8 mi 9.3
Bayside Academy San Mateo 2.6 mi 6.1
Parkside Montessori San Mateo 2.7 mi 8.9
Central Elementary Belmont 3.1 mi 8.0
Fiesta Gardens International Elementary San Mateo 2.8 mi 6.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bowditch Middle 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.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Burton Middle Porterville, CA 7.9
Dr. Manuel M. Lopez Academy of Arts & Sciences Oxnard, CA 7.9
Edward Harris Jr. Middle Elk Grove, CA 7.9
Horace Ensign Intermediate Costa Mesa, CA 7.9
La Colina Junior High Santa Barbara, CA 7.9
Ladera Ranch Middle Ladera Ranch, CA 7.9

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 is ranked #1581 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Bowditch Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowditch Middle has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bowditch Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowditch Middle has 72.5% math proficiency and 76.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
66 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (745/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Foster City). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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