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
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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South Hillsborough — Students at South Hillsborough score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
1.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 90.23% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 87% (2019) to 88.81% (2024).
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 |
Compare South Hillsborough with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (650) 344-0303
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hillsborough City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,263
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $29,212
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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 methodologyRelated reading
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