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Needs Improvement

#9357 of 9,539 schools in CA

Laurel Elementary

Elementary School · San Mateo-Foster City

316 36th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403

Enrollment

475

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,357 of 9,539

In San Mateo

#19 of 19

public schools

In district

#21 of 21

San Mateo-Foster City

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Laurel Elementary

2.9/10

Elementary School in San Mateo · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Abbott Middle

6.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hillsdale High

7.3/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Laurel Elementary

Laurel Elementary is a public elementary school in San Mateo, CA, part of San Mateo-Foster City. Laurel Elementary serves approximately 475 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 21.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Laurel Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #9,357 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Laurel Elementary show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares3.8 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.7
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Laurel Elementary runs 21.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

48% of students at Laurel Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-24.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.6 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,671
Chronic Absenteeism48%

Laurel Elementary — Students at Laurel Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 43.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 44.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
58%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
50%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
44%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
44%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
27.1%
ELA
32.2%
2024
Math
21.6%
ELA
23.3%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Laurel Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
2th percentile in CA
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

Location

316 36th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laurel Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George Hall Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE CAREY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cipriani Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 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 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Abbott Middle San Mateo 0.3 mi 6.6
Hillsdale High San Mateo 0.5 mi 7.3
Beresford Elementary San Mateo 0.6 mi 6.0
ST GREGORY SCHOOL San Mateo 0.6 mi 5.2
St Gregory San Mateo 0.6 mi
THE NUEVA SCHOOL San Mateo 0.9 mi 7.4
The Burkard School San Mateo 0.9 mi
THE BURKARD SCHOOL San Mateo 1.0 mi 5.4
Meadow Heights Elementary San Mateo 0.8 mi 5.8
George Hall Elementary San Mateo 0.8 mi 9.0
Cipriani Elementary Belmont 1.1 mi 8.3
COMPASS HIGH SCHOOL San Mateo 1.1 mi
UP ACADEMY, INC. San Mateo 1.1 mi
SERENDIPITY SCHOOL Belmont 1.2 mi 8.3
Serendipity School Belmont 1.2 mi
UP ACADEMY San Mateo 1.2 mi
JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL San Mateo 1.2 mi 5.3
THE CAREY SCHOOL San Mateo 1.2 mi 8.7
Fiesta Gardens International Elementary San Mateo 1.4 mi 5.9
The Carey School San Mateo 1.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$179,825

Median Home Value

$1,725,900

Median Rent

$3,273/mo

Population

43,459

College Educated

60.3%

Homeownership

54%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

38.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ACORN Woodland Elementary Oakland, CA 2.9
Bel Air Elementary Bay Point, CA 2.9
Cameron Ranch Elementary Carmichael, CA 2.9
Carmichael (Bessie)/FEC San Francisco, CA 2.9
Charles Peck Elementary Carmichael, CA 2.9
Cimarron Elementary Palmdale, CA 2.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laurel Elementary

What grades does Laurel Elementary serve?

Laurel Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Laurel Elementary?

Laurel Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 475 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Laurel Elementary is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laurel Elementary rank in CA?

Laurel Elementary ranks #9,357 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Laurel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Laurel Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Laurel Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Laurel Elementary has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Laurel Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Laurel Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

68.0% of students at Laurel 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
76 Very Walkable
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
San Mateo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

District

San Mateo-Foster City
District Enrollment
9,945
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,671
District Rank
#21 of 21

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