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Average

#5630 of 9,533 schools in CA

Highlands Elementary

Elementary School · San Mateo-Foster City

2320 Newport St., San Mateo, CA 94402

Enrollment

355

Student-Teacher

22.2:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Mateo

#12 of 19

public schools

California elementary schools

#3,398 of 5,817

In district

#13 of 21

San Mateo-Foster City

Equity

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Highlands Elementary

Highlands Elementary serves 355 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in San Mateo, California. This public elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.2 to 1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #2125 out of 9566 California elementary schools.

Students show strong literacy skills with 57% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 53% meet or exceed standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education across core subject areas. Highlands Elementary draws families from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $184,453 and home values average around $2 million.

The neighborhood's highly educated population, with 69% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, creates a supportive environment for academic achievement. With a low poverty rate of just 5.6%, the community provides stable resources that complement the school's educational mission. The school operates within San Mateo's large suburban setting, serving families in the 94402 ZIP code area that encompasses over 26,000 residents who value educational excellence and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 22.2:1, 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 Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.7%
Math vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,570

Highlands Elementary — Students at Highlands Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.1%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 59.0%
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
60%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
60%
2024
Math
53.4%
ELA
56.8%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Highlands Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
41th percentile in CA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

2320 Newport St., San Mateo, CA 94402

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Hillsborough (rated 9.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Hillsborough), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE CAREY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fox Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Belmont), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Mateo, see our San Mateo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ODYSSEY SCHOOL San Mateo 0.7 mi 7.5
Hillcrest at Youth Services Center Redwood City 1.0 mi
Moonshot Academy San Mateo 1.0 mi
Margaret J. Kemp Redwood City 1.2 mi
Gateway Center San Mateo 1.2 mi
LA PETITE MONTESSORI SCHOOL LLC Hillsborough 1.4 mi
West Hillsborough Hillsborough 2.0 mi 9.2
Fox Elementary Belmont 1.8 mi 7.3
TULANE MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE San Mateo 2.2 mi
Aragon High San Mateo 2.1 mi 8.5
Baywood Elementary San Mateo 2.2 mi 5.1
Fusion Academy San Mateo San Mateo 2.1 mi
Crystal Springs Uplands School Hillsborough 2.4 mi
FUSION ACADEMY - SAN MATEO San Mateo 2.1 mi 7.2
The Carey School San Mateo 2.2 mi
Meadow Heights Elementary San Mateo 2.1 mi 5.2
THE CAREY SCHOOL San Mateo 2.2 mi 8.7
Borel Middle San Mateo 2.4 mi 5.6
Hillsdale High San Mateo 2.2 mi 7.0
JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL San Mateo 2.3 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94402 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$179,683

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$3,476/mo

Population

25,498

College Educated

69.3%

Homeownership

59.3%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highlands Elementary has a median household income of $179,683. 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 $3,476/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 Santa Ana, CA 6.0
Aliso Elementary Carpinteria, CA 6.0
Almond Grove Elementary Oakley, CA 6.0
Ambassador School-Global Education Los Angeles, CA 6.0
Amesti Elementary Watsonville, CA 6.0
Arroyo West Elementary Moorpark, CA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlands Elementary

What grades does Highlands Elementary serve?

Highlands Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Highlands Elementary?

Highlands Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 355 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highlands Elementary rank in CA?

Highlands Elementary is ranked #5630 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Highlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Highlands Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Elementary has 54.1% math proficiency and 59.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highlands Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Highlands Elementary a Title I school?

No, Highlands Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

25.9% of students at Highlands 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
High (2,131/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.9%
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
#13 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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