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Very Good

#3184 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 33% in state

Foster City Elementary

Elementary School · San Mateo-Foster City

461 Beach Park Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404

Enrollment

679

Student-Teacher

22.6:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Foster City

#4 of 5

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,109 of 5,817

In district

#7 of 21

San Mateo-Foster City

Equity

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Foster City Elementary

Foster City Elementary serves 679 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the affluent community of Foster City, California. With a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1 and 30 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school has earned exceptional recognition, ranking #408 out of 9,566 California elementary schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with 80% of students achieving proficient or above in math and 74% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts/Reading.

These impressive results contribute to Foster City Elementary's 9.6/10 academic score and overall 8.7/10 rating from MySchoolScout. Students at Foster City Elementary benefit from attending school in an exceptionally well-educated community where 73% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects the area's prosperity, with a median household income of $182,699 and median home values of $1,592,100.

The low poverty rate of just 3.9% speaks to the economic stability of the 36,397 residents in the 94404 ZIP code. Foster City Elementary is situated in a large suburban setting on Beach Park Boulevard, providing students with access to both excellent educational opportunities and the benefits of suburban community life in San Mateo County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Foster City Elementary is 22.6:1, 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 Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.4%
Math vs. State Avg+34 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.6 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
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 Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,570

Foster City Elementary — Students at Foster City Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 80.3%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 75.8%
School
State
45.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
84%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2024
Math
79.7%
ELA
74.1%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Foster City Elementary Compares

See how Foster City Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in CA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

461 Beach Park Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Foster City Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George Hall Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkside Montessori (rated 8.9/10, 1.7 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 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Beach Park Elementary Foster City 0.6 mi 5.0
FUSION ACADEMY SAN MATEO FOSTER CITY San Mateo 0.9 mi 7.3
Fusion Academy San Mateo-Foster City San Mateo 0.9 mi
RONALD C WORNICK JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Foster City 0.9 mi 7.5
Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School Foster City 1.0 mi
Design Tech High Redwood City 1.1 mi 7.9
George Hall Elementary San Mateo 1.1 mi 9.3
Brewer Island Elementary Foster City 1.3 mi 7.7
Nesbit Elementary Belmont 1.5 mi 4.6
San Mateo County Special Education Redwood City 1.5 mi 7.4
Central Elementary Belmont 1.6 mi 8.0
Kids' Connection Foster City 1.7 mi
KIDS CONNECTION ELEMENTARY Foster City 1.7 mi 5.6
THE NUEVA SCHOOL San Mateo 1.4 mi 7.4
Fiesta Gardens International Elementary San Mateo 1.5 mi 6.6
Audubon Elementary Foster City 1.7 mi 7.4
Parkside Montessori San Mateo 1.7 mi 8.9
Redwood Shores Elementary Redwood City 1.5 mi 8.1
Bowditch Middle Foster City 1.7 mi 7.9
Bayside Academy San Mateo 1.8 mi 6.1

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 Foster City 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 Riverside, CA 7.1
Alpine Vista Tulare, CA 7.1
Ansel Adams Stockton, CA 7.1
Baldwin (Julia) Elementary San Jose, CA 7.1
Bassett Street Elementary Lake Balboa, CA 7.1
Bay Farm Alameda, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Foster City Elementary

What grades does Foster City Elementary serve?

Foster City Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Foster City Elementary?

Foster City Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 679 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Foster City Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Foster City Elementary is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Foster City Elementary rank in CA?

Foster City Elementary is ranked #3184 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Foster City Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Foster City Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Foster City Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foster City Elementary has 80.3% math proficiency and 75.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Foster City Elementary a charter school?

No, Foster City Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Foster City Elementary a Title I school?

No, Foster City Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foster City Elementary?

12.4% of students at Foster City 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

City Safety
Elevated (745/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
679
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.4%
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
#7 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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