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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.2%
Math vs. State Avg+30.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+34.4 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,570

Brewer Island Elementary — Students at Brewer Island Elementary score 77% 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

19.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 78.1%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 79.1%
School
State
45.3%

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
80%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
86%
2024
Math
76.6%
ELA
77.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in CA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat 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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Mateo-Foster City
District Enrollment
9,945
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,671
District Rank
#5 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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