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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.4%
Math vs. State Avg+46.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+45.6 pts
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,923

Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 90.7%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 89.0%
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
87%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
93%
2024
Math
92.5%
ELA
88.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
86th percentile in CA
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,452/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary
District Enrollment
4,019
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,752
District Rank
#3 of 7

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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