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
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
Enrollment
51
Student-Teacher
4.3:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Odyssey School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in San Mateo, CA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (650) 548-1500
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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