Excellent
#1297 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 14% in state
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary
525 Middle Rd., Belmont, CA 94002
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
25.6:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
25.6:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belmont
#3 of 6
public schools
California elementary schools
#929 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 7
Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary serves 436 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Belmont, California, consistently earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With its impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranking in the 95th percentile statewide (#496 out of 9,566 California schools), the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement. Students at Central Elementary excel particularly in mathematics, with 93% scoring proficient or above across all grade levels, while 88% achieve proficiency in English Language Arts and reading.
These outstanding results reflect the dedication of the school's 17 full-time equivalent teachers, who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 25.6 to 1. The school draws families from Belmont's highly educated community, where 68% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $184,929. This affluent ZIP code 94002 supports student success both at home and school, with only 6.9% of families living below the poverty line.
Located on Middle Road in this large suburban area of San Mateo County, Central Elementary benefits from Belmont's family-friendly atmosphere and strong commitment to education, where median home values of $2 million reflect the community's investment in quality schools and neighborhoods.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 25.6:1, 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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Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6.9%
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: 9.0/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 92.52% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 87% (2019) to 88.43% (2024).
Location
525 Middle Rd., Belmont, CA 94002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mariposa (rated 9.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby San Carlos), which scores notably higher. Another option is George Hall Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arundel Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby San Carlos), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Belmont, see our Belmont schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nesbit Elementary Belmont | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| NOTRE DAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belmont | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Belmont | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Charles Armstrong School Belmont | 0.9 mi | — |
| CHARLES ARMSTRONG SCHOOL Belmont | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| San Carlos Charter Learning Center San Carlos | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| George Hall Elementary San Mateo | 1.0 mi | 9.3 |
| Tierra Linda Middle San Carlos | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Mariposa San Carlos | 1.1 mi | 9.4 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Belmont | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| San Mateo County Special Education Redwood City | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Carlmont High Belmont | 1.3 mi | 9.1 |
| BELMONT OAKS ACADEMY Belmont | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Design Tech High Redwood City | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Belmont Oaks Academy Belmont | 1.3 mi | — |
| Arundel Elementary San Carlos | 1.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Laurel Elementary San Mateo | 1.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Foster City Elementary Foster City | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Serendipity School Belmont | 1.4 mi | — |
| SERENDIPITY SCHOOL Belmont | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$204,573
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$2,889/mo
Population
27,730
College Educated
68.6%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
29.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
40.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $204,573. It is a well-educated community where 69% 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 $2,889/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Adobe Bluffs Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.0 |
| Anna A. Borba Fundamental Elementary Chino, CA | 8.0 |
| Betty Plasencia Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
| Birdielee V. Bright Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
| Brookhaven Elementary Placentia, CA | 8.0 |
| Capistrano Avenue Elementary West Hills, CA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 436 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 25.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary rank in CA?
Central Elementary is ranked #1297 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 90.7% math proficiency and 89.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?
6.9% of students at Central 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 436
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 6.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Mateo County
- Phone
- (650) 637-4820
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,019
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,752
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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