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Very Good

#259 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 14% of private schools

Odyssey School

Middle School

201 POLHEMUS RD, San Mateo, CA 94402

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 19 schools in San Mateo. Learn more

Enrollment

51

Student-Teacher

4.3:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In San Mateo

#3 of 12

public schools

California middle schools

#8 of 45

About Odyssey School

Odyssey School serves 51 middle school students in grades 6-8 with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.3:1, supported by 12 full-time equivalent teachers. This small public school in San Mateo creates an intimate learning environment where students receive highly personalized attention. The school ranks #840 out of 1,790 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 53rd percentile among California schools, and earns a strong MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10.

This combination suggests Odyssey School effectively serves its student community despite its modest state ranking position. Located on Polhemus Road in the 94402 zip code, Odyssey School sits in an affluent neighborhood where the median household income reaches $184,453 and median home values top $2 million. The community is highly educated, with 69% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 5.6%.

The school's small size allows for individualized instruction and close student-teacher relationships that can be particularly beneficial during the middle school years. Odyssey School operates within San Mateo's large suburban setting, serving families in one of California's most prosperous and well-educated communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 51 students, Odyssey School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.3:1, Odyssey School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Odyssey School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$47,302
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$49,746
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.05x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
83%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$6.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 51 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Odyssey School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in San Mateo, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.3:1
This School
vs
17.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
51
This School
vs
536
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.5
This School
vs
7.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 60.8% vs 0%
Asian 25.5% vs 0%
Odyssey School San Mateo Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
Odyssey School (this school) 7.5
Gateway Center
Borel Middle 5.6
Abbott Middle 6.9
North Shoreview Montessori 9.1
Parkside Montessori 8.9
Bayside Academy 6.1

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,350
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 55%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 51
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 60.8%
Asian 25.5%
Two or More 13.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

201 POLHEMUS RD, San Mateo, CA 94402

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Odyssey School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Crocker Middle (rated 8.7/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Hillsborough), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Borel Middle (rated 5.6/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Mateo, see our San Mateo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Highlands Elementary San Mateo 0.7 mi 6.0
LA PETITE MONTESSORI SCHOOL LLC Hillsborough 0.8 mi
Moonshot Academy San Mateo 1.0 mi
Hillcrest at Youth Services Center Redwood City 1.6 mi
TULANE MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE San Mateo 1.6 mi
West Hillsborough Hillsborough 1.5 mi 9.2
Aragon High San Mateo 1.6 mi 8.5
Baywood Elementary San Mateo 1.6 mi 5.1
Gateway Center San Mateo 1.7 mi
Crystal Springs Uplands School Hillsborough 1.8 mi
Margaret J. Kemp Redwood City 1.8 mi
Fusion Academy San Mateo San Mateo 1.7 mi
FUSION ACADEMY - SAN MATEO San Mateo 1.7 mi 7.2
South Hillsborough Hillsborough 2.1 mi 9.4
The Carey School San Mateo 1.8 mi
Borel Middle San Mateo 1.9 mi 5.6
THE CAREY SCHOOL San Mateo 1.8 mi 8.7
Meadow Heights Elementary San Mateo 1.9 mi 5.2
JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL San Mateo 1.9 mi 5.3
Crocker Middle Hillsborough 2.4 mi 8.7

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 Odyssey School 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
THE CROWDEN SCHOOL Berkeley, CA 7.8
VISALIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Visalia, CA 7.2
CITY KIDS LA Los Angeles, CA 7.1
Potter Valley Junior High Potter Valley, CA 7.1
INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Montclair, CA 7.0
NATIVITY PREP ACADEMY San Diego, CA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Odyssey School

What grades does Odyssey School serve?

Odyssey School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Odyssey School?

Odyssey School has an enrollment of approximately 51 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Odyssey School?

The student-teacher ratio at Odyssey School is 4.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Odyssey School rank in CA?

Odyssey School is ranked #259 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Odyssey School's MySchoolScout rating?

Odyssey School has a composite rating of 7.5 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.

Is Odyssey School a private school?

Yes, Odyssey School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Odyssey School a religious school?

No, Odyssey School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,131/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
51
Gender Split
65% M / 35% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
SAN MATEO
Data Year
2022–2023

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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