Very Good
#1931 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 20% in state
Brewer Island Elementary
Elementary School · San Mateo-Foster City
1151 Polynesia Dr., Foster City, CA 94404
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Foster City
#2 of 5
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,355 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 21
San Mateo-Foster City
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Brewer Island Elementary
Brewer Island Elementary serves 360 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in Foster City's affluent suburban community. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1, creating a structured learning environment where students consistently excel academically. The school demonstrates exceptional performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranking #407 out of 9,566 California elementary schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide.
Students achieve impressive proficiency rates of 77% in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels, reflecting the school's strong academic foundation and commitment to student success. Brewer Island Elementary benefits from serving a highly educated community where 73% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a median household income of $182,699. This supportive environment, combined with the school's dedicated teaching staff, creates an atmosphere where students are well-prepared for their educational journey ahead.
The school sits in Foster City's large suburban setting on Polynesia Drive, part of a thoughtfully planned community in San Mateo County known for its family-friendly neighborhoods and commitment to educational excellence.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Brewer Island Elementary is 22.5:1, 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
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Brewer Island Elementary — Students at Brewer Island Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.0/10.
How Brewer Island Elementary Compares
See how Brewer Island Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 76.56% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 79% (2019) to 77.17% (2024).
Location
1151 Polynesia Dr., Foster City, CA 94404
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Brewer Island Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George Hall Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkside Montessori (rated 8.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Redwood Shores Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Redwood City), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Foster City, see our Foster City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School Foster City | 0.3 mi | — |
| Audubon Elementary Foster City | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| RONALD C WORNICK JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Foster City | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Kids' Connection Foster City | 0.6 mi | — |
| KIDS CONNECTION ELEMENTARY Foster City | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Beach Park Elementary Foster City | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Bowditch Middle Foster City | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Fusion Academy San Mateo-Foster City San Mateo | 1.1 mi | — |
| FUSION ACADEMY SAN MATEO FOSTER CITY San Mateo | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Foster City Elementary Foster City | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Redwood Shores Elementary Redwood City | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Design Tech High Redwood City | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Sandpiper Elementary Redwood City | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Bayside Academy San Mateo | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| San Mateo County Special Education Redwood City | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Parkside Montessori San Mateo | 2.0 mi | 8.9 |
| George Hall Elementary San Mateo | 2.3 mi | 9.3 |
| Nesbit Elementary Belmont | 2.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Fiesta Gardens International Elementary San Mateo | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| LEAD Elementary San Mateo | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
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 Brewer Island Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Costa Mesa, CA | 7.7 |
| Aldama Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.7 |
| Alta Mesa Elementary Redding, CA | 7.7 |
| Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria, CA | 7.7 |
| Arlington Heights Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.7 |
| Arturo Sanchez Elementary Norwalk, CA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Brewer Island Elementary
What grades does Brewer Island Elementary serve?
Brewer Island Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Brewer Island Elementary?
Brewer Island Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 360 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Brewer Island Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Brewer Island Elementary is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Brewer Island Elementary rank in CA?
Brewer Island Elementary is ranked #1931 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Brewer Island Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Brewer Island Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Brewer Island Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brewer Island Elementary has 78.1% math proficiency and 79.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Brewer Island Elementary a charter school?
No, Brewer Island Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Brewer Island Elementary a Title I school?
No, Brewer Island Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brewer Island Elementary?
19.7% of students at Brewer Island Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 360
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Mateo County
- Phone
- (650) 312-7532
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Mateo-Foster City- District Enrollment
- 9,945
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,671
- District Rank
- #5 of 21
Other Schools in This District
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.
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