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Very Good

#2556 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 27% in state

San Mateo County Special Education

School · San Mateo County Office of Education

101 Twin Dolphin Dr., Redwood City, CA 94065

Enrollment

41

Student-Teacher

6.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Redwood City

#9 of 34

public schools

California schools

#35 of 475

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About San Mateo County Special Education

San Mateo County Special Education is a public school located in Redwood City, California. Serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 41 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers. With its small class sizes, San Mateo County Special Education offers personalized attention to help each student thrive.

The academic performance at San Mateo County Special Education reflects areas where the school is focusing on growth. The MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it in the 54th percentile among California schools with a state ranking of #4428 out of 9,566 schools. Students typically show around 15% proficiency or above in both ELA/Reading and Math.

Situated in a small city setting, San Mateo County Special Education is part of the vibrant community of Redwood City, where it plays an important role in supporting students with special education needs.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 41 students, San Mateo County Special Education 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.

While current test scores at San Mateo County Special Education are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, San Mateo County Special Education 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+10 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-23.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$611,145

San Mateo County Special Education — Students at San Mateo County Special Education score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 10.0/10.

How San Mateo County Special Education Compares

See how San Mateo County Special Education performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in CA
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

101 Twin Dolphin Dr., Redwood City, CA 94065

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering San Mateo County Special Education may also want to explore other schools in the area. Mariposa (rated 9.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby San Carlos), which scores notably higher. Another option is Arundel Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby San Carlos), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tierra Linda Middle (rated 9.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby San Carlos), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Redwood City, see our Redwood City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Design Tech High Redwood City 0.5 mi 7.9
Nesbit Elementary Belmont 0.7 mi 4.6
Central Elementary Belmont 1.1 mi 8.0
Foster City Elementary Foster City 1.5 mi 7.1
Beach Park Elementary Foster City 1.7 mi 5.0
Redwood Shores Elementary Redwood City 1.5 mi 8.1
Central Middle San Carlos 1.7 mi 8.2
Arundel Elementary San Carlos 1.7 mi 9.2
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Belmont 1.5 mi 5.6
Arroyo San Carlos 1.8 mi 8.6
CHARLES ARMSTRONG SCHOOL Belmont 1.5 mi 7.6
Charles Armstrong School Belmont 1.6 mi
NOTRE DAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belmont 1.5 mi 7.2
San Carlos Charter Learning Center San Carlos 1.7 mi 8.4
Arbor Bay San Carlos 2.0 mi
ARBOR BAY SCHOOL San Carlos 2.0 mi
Tierra Linda Middle San Carlos 1.8 mi 9.0
Mariposa San Carlos 1.8 mi 9.4
Sandpiper Elementary Redwood City 1.7 mi 5.2
KINDERCOURT ACADEMY San Carlos 2.0 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94065 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$213,361

Median Home Value

$1,847,000

Median Rent

$3,501/mo

Population

11,620

College Educated

81%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

3.1%

Median Age

42.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding San Mateo County Special Education has a median household income of $213,361. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,847,000, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 3.1% 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
SHIELD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Monte, CA 7.4
THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz, CA 7.4
STOCKTON BAPTIST SCHOOL Stockton, CA 7.5
BEACH CITIES LEARNING SAN GABRIEL San Gabriel, CA 7.3
California School for the Blind Fremont, CA 7.3
Harry P B Carden Marysville, CA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about San Mateo County Special Education

What grades does San Mateo County Special Education serve?

San Mateo County Special Education serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend San Mateo County Special Education?

San Mateo County Special Education has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at San Mateo County Special Education?

The student-teacher ratio at San Mateo County Special Education is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does San Mateo County Special Education rank in CA?

San Mateo County Special Education is ranked #2556 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is San Mateo County Special Education's MySchoolScout rating?

San Mateo County Special Education has a composite rating of 7.4 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 San Mateo County Special Education?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, San Mateo County Special Education has 15.0% math proficiency and 15.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is San Mateo County Special Education a charter school?

No, San Mateo County Special Education is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is San Mateo County Special Education a Title I school?

No, San Mateo County Special Education is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for San Mateo County Special Education?

46.3% of students at San Mateo County Special Education 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
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,120/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.3%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Small City
County
San Mateo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Mateo County Office of Education
District Enrollment
77
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$844,874
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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