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Excellent

#35 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 1% in state

South Hillsborough

Elementary School · Hillsborough City Elementary

303 El Cerrito Ave., Hillsborough, CA 94010

Enrollment

246

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

9.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hillsborough

#1 of 4

public schools

California elementary schools

#34 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 4

Hillsborough City Elementary

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About South Hillsborough

South Hillsborough is a public elementary school in Hillsborough, California, serving 246 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with a near-perfect academic score of 9.7 and a strong growth score of 9.0. The school ranks 35th out of 9,533 public schools statewide — placing it in the top fraction of a percent and ahead of 100% of California schools by composite measure.

Among elementary schools specifically, it holds the 34th position out of 5,817 statewide, a distinction that signals consistent, measurable performance rather than a single strong year. Locally, South Hillsborough stands first out of four schools in Hillsborough. A student-teacher ratio of 16.4 to 1 keeps class sizes manageable across its K–5 grades.

For parents comparing elementary options in the Bay Area or across California, the data places South Hillsborough among a very small group of public schools delivering both high achievement and meaningful student growth. Its scores reflect outcomes for all 246 enrolled students, making this a school worth prioritizing in any serious school search.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.8%
Math vs. State Avg+44.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+46 pts
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected+14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,323

South Hillsborough — Students at South Hillsborough score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

1.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 88.5%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 86.6%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
90.4%
ELA
88.9%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How South Hillsborough Compares

See how South Hillsborough performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.4/10
100th percentile in CA
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
2%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

303 El Cerrito Ave., Hillsborough, CA 94010

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Hillsborough may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL OF ST. MATTHEW (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), a more accessible option. Another option is CENTENNIAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), a more accessible option. Additionally, College Park Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Crystal Springs Uplands School Hillsborough 0.3 mi
TULANE MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE San Mateo 0.6 mi
San Mateo Park Elementary San Mateo 0.6 mi 3.4
Baywood Elementary San Mateo 0.7 mi 5.1
Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew San Mateo 0.6 mi
EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL OF ST. MATTHEW San Mateo 0.7 mi 8.0
Aragon High San Mateo 0.9 mi 8.5
STANBRIDGE ACADEMY San Mateo 1.0 mi 7.2
Stanbridge Academy San Mateo 1.0 mi
St. Matthew Catholic San Mateo 0.8 mi
ST CATHERINE OF SIENA SCHOOL Burlingame 1.1 mi 6.5
San Mateo High San Mateo 1.1 mi 7.7
Genius Learning Burlingame 1.2 mi
College Park Elementary San Mateo 1.1 mi 7.0
PACIFIC RIM INT'L SCHOOL San Mateo 1.2 mi
CENTENNIAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Mateo 1.0 mi 7.4
Washington Elementary Burlingame 1.3 mi 6.2
Borel Middle San Mateo 1.2 mi 5.6
Burlingame High Burlingame 1.5 mi 9.0
FUSION ACADEMY - SAN MATEO San Mateo 1.5 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94010 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$191,758

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$2,655/mo

Population

42,794

College Educated

69.2%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

42.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Hillsborough has a median household income of $191,758. 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 $2,655/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Annalee Avenue Elementary Carson, CA 9.4
Brainard Elementary Lake View Terrace, CA 9.4
Bushnell Way Elementary Los Angeles, CA 9.4
Chin (John Yehall) Elementary San Francisco, CA 9.4
Lexington Elementary Los Gatos, CA 9.4
Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy San Jose, CA 9.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Hillsborough

What grades does South Hillsborough serve?

South Hillsborough serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend South Hillsborough?

South Hillsborough has an enrollment of approximately 246 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Hillsborough?

The student-teacher ratio at South Hillsborough is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Hillsborough rank in CA?

South Hillsborough is ranked #35 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is South Hillsborough's MySchoolScout rating?

South Hillsborough has a composite rating of 9.4 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 South Hillsborough?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Hillsborough has 88.5% math proficiency and 86.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Hillsborough a charter school?

No, South Hillsborough is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Hillsborough a Title I school?

No, South Hillsborough is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Hillsborough?

1.6% of students at South Hillsborough 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (774/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Compare This School

How does South Hillsborough stack up?

North Hillsborough
9.4
West Hillsborough
9.2
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
1.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Mateo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hillsborough City Elementary
District Enrollment
1,263
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$29,212
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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