Needs Improvement
#9205 of 9,533 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
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Mateo
#18 of 19
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,560 of 5,817
In district
#20 of 21
San Mateo-Foster City
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Laurel Elementary
Laurel Elementary is a public elementary school nestled in the heart of San Mateo, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Laurel Elementary offers education to 475 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.6:1. The school's dedicated team of 22 full-time equivalent teachers works hard to support each child’s learning journey.
Academically, Laurel Elementary has room for improvement according to recent data, ranking at the 11th percentile in California and holding a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10. In ELA and reading proficiency, about 29% of students are meeting or exceeding grade-level standards, while in math, around 26% are proficient. The school focuses on student development and is committed to enhancing its academic offerings.
Laurel Elementary’s setting within San Mateo provides a vibrant community atmosphere for the children to grow and learn.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Laurel Elementary is 21.6:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Laurel Elementary — Students at Laurel Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.9/10.
How Laurel Elementary Compares
See how Laurel Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 21.57% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 23.23% (2024).
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 9.3/10, 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, SERENDIPITY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 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 | 6.9 |
| Hillsdale High San Mateo | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Beresford Elementary San Mateo | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| George Hall Elementary San Mateo | 0.8 mi | 9.3 |
| Cipriani Elementary Belmont | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Laurel Elementary has a median household income of $179,825. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,725,900, with a median rent of $3,273/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 Stockton, CA | 3.6 |
| Almondale Elementary Bakersfield, CA | 3.6 |
| Alvarado Elementary Union City, CA | 3.6 |
| Auburn Elementary Auburn, CA | 3.6 |
| Brier Elementary Fremont, CA | 3.6 |
| East Oakland Pride Elementary Oakland, CA | 3.6 |
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 is ranked #9205 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Laurel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Laurel Elementary has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Laurel Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurel Elementary has 25.9% math proficiency and 29.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 475
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- San Mateo County
- Phone
- (650) 312-7555
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Mateo-Foster City- District Enrollment
- 9,945
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,671
- District Rank
- #20 of 21
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.