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Excellent

#41 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 2% of private schools

Serendipity School

Elementary School

2820 PONCE AVE, Belmont, CA 94002

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

143

Student-Teacher

5.1:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Belmont

#1 of 6

public schools

California elementary schools

#20 of 1,102

About Serendipity School

Serendipity School serves 143 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Belmont, California, earning an impressive 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This elementary school ranks #320 out of 1,790 schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among California's public schools. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.1 to 1, allowing for highly personalized attention and small class sizes that many families find appealing.

This intimate learning environment helps ensure that each child receives individualized support and engagement throughout their elementary years. The school operates as a regular public elementary school, providing a traditional educational foundation during these crucial early academic years. The small enrollment creates a close-knit school community where students, families, and staff often develop strong connections.

Serendipity School is located on Ponce Avenue in an affluent suburban neighborhood where 68% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income exceeds $184,000. The surrounding community demonstrates strong educational values, with low poverty rates of just 6.9%. This elementary school sits within one of California's most prosperous suburban areas, offering students access to a well-resourced educational environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 143 students, Serendipity 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 5.1:1, Serendipity 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, Serendipity 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Serendipity School compares to the 6 public schools in Belmont, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
This School
vs
23.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
143
This School
vs
905
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.3
This School
vs
7.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Asian 42.7% vs 0%
White 33.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.8% vs 0%
Black 0.7% vs 0%
Serendipity School Belmont Public Avg

All Schools in Belmont

School Rating
Serendipity School (this school) 8.3
Cipriani Elementary 8.0
Ralston Intermediate 8.4
Fox Elementary 7.3
Carlmont High 9.1
Central Elementary 8.0
Nesbit Elementary 4.6

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 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,225
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 66%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 143
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)

Asian 42.7%
White 33.6%
Two or More 20.3%
Hispanic 2.8%
Black 0.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2820 PONCE AVE, Belmont, CA 94002

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Serendipity School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mariposa (rated 9.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby San Carlos), which scores notably higher. Another option is San Carlos Charter Learning Center (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby San Carlos), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cipriani Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Belmont, see our Belmont schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Serendipity School Belmont 0.0 mi
Cipriani Elementary Belmont 0.1 mi 8.0
Crystal Springs Uplands School-Middle School Campus Belmont 0.4 mi
Ralston Intermediate Belmont 0.4 mi 8.4
Belmont Oaks Academy Belmont 0.5 mi
BELMONT OAKS ACADEMY Belmont 0.5 mi 6.6
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Belmont 0.6 mi 7.8
Abbott Middle San Mateo 1.1 mi 6.9
Laurel Elementary San Mateo 1.2 mi 3.6
NOTRE DAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belmont 0.9 mi 7.2
Fox Elementary Belmont 1.0 mi 7.3
Hillsdale High San Mateo 1.3 mi 7.0
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Belmont 1.0 mi 5.6
Carlmont High Belmont 1.2 mi 9.1
Tierra Linda Middle San Carlos 1.2 mi 9.0
Mariposa San Carlos 1.2 mi 9.4
San Carlos Charter Learning Center San Carlos 1.2 mi 8.4
Charles Armstrong School Belmont 1.2 mi
CHARLES ARMSTRONG SCHOOL Belmont 1.2 mi 7.6
Beresford Elementary San Mateo 1.7 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$204,573

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$2,889/mo

Population

27,730

College Educated

68.6%

Homeownership

56.2%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

40.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Serendipity School has a median household income of $204,573. 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 $2,889/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Avalon Gardens Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.3
BROOKFIELD SCHOOL Sacramento, CA 8.3
MINARET ACADEMY Anaheim, CA 8.3
New Los Angeles Charter Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.3
Pacific Elementary Davenport, CA 8.3
THE SAKLAN SCHOOL Moraga, CA 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Serendipity School

What grades does Serendipity School serve?

Serendipity School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Serendipity School?

Serendipity School has an enrollment of approximately 143 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Serendipity School?

The student-teacher ratio at Serendipity School is 5.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Serendipity School rank in CA?

Serendipity School is ranked #41 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Serendipity School's MySchoolScout rating?

Serendipity School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Serendipity School a private school?

Yes, Serendipity 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 Serendipity School a religious school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,452/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
143
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
175 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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