Excellent
#8 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 1% of private schools
The Carey School
Elementary School
1 CAREY SCHOOL LN, San Mateo, CA 94403
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 19 schools in San Mateo. Learn more
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In San Mateo
#1 of 12
public schools
California elementary schools
#4 of 1,102
About The Carey School
The Carey School serves 240 elementary students from kindergarten through fifth grade in San Mateo, California, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranking #337 out of 1,790 California elementary schools, The Carey School places in the 81st percentile statewide for academic excellence. One of the school's most notable features is its exceptional student-teacher ratio of 5.9 to 1, made possible by a staff of 41 full-time equivalent teachers.
This low ratio allows for more individualized attention and personalized learning experiences for each child. The school draws families from an affluent and highly educated community, where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $171,213. This educated community context, combined with a low poverty rate of 6.1%, creates a supportive environment for academic achievement.
Located at 1 Carey School Lane, the school sits in the heart of San Mateo's well-established residential neighborhoods, where the median home value of $1.68 million reflects the area's desirability. The Carey School operates within this prosperous mid-size city setting, benefiting from the community's strong commitment to education and family values.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.9:1, The Carey 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, The Carey 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
- $48,996
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $50,370
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.03x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 88%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $32.3M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 240 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Carey School compares to 14 public schools serving similar grades in San Mateo, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Carey School (this school) | 8.7 |
| Meadow Heights Elementary | 5.2 |
| Beresford Elementary | 6.7 |
| Baywood Elementary | 5.1 |
| Fiesta Gardens International Elementary | 6.6 |
| Laurel Elementary | 3.6 |
| Sunnybrae Elementary | 5.0 |
| George Hall Elementary | 9.3 |
| Parkside Montessori | 8.9 |
| Bayside Academy | 6.1 |
| LEAD Elementary | 5.6 |
| North Shoreview Montessori | 9.1 |
| San Mateo Park Elementary | 3.4 |
| College Park Elementary | 7.0 |
| Highlands Elementary | 6.0 |
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
1 CAREY SCHOOL LN, San Mateo, CA 94403
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Carey School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CENTENNIAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Beresford Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Meadow Heights Elementary (rated 5.2/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Mateo, see our San Mateo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| The Carey School San Mateo | 0.1 mi | — |
| JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL San Mateo | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Fusion Academy San Mateo San Mateo | 0.1 mi | — |
| FUSION ACADEMY - SAN MATEO San Mateo | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Borel Middle San Mateo | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Meadow Heights Elementary San Mateo | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| UP ACADEMY, INC. San Mateo | 0.4 mi | — |
| COMPASS HIGH SCHOOL San Mateo | 0.4 mi | — |
| UP ACADEMY San Mateo | 0.4 mi | — |
| Beresford Elementary San Mateo | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| ST GREGORY SCHOOL San Mateo | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| St Gregory San Mateo | 0.7 mi | — |
| Aragon High San Mateo | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| CENTENNIAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Mateo | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| The Burkard School San Mateo | 0.7 mi | — |
| THE BURKARD SCHOOL San Mateo | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Hillsdale High San Mateo | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| St. Matthew Catholic San Mateo | 1.0 mi | — |
| Baywood Elementary San Mateo | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Abbott Middle San Mateo | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$179,825
Median Home Value
$1,725,900
Median Rent
$3,273/mo
Population
43,459
College Educated
60.3%
Homeownership
54%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
38.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Carey School has a median household income of $179,825. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,725,900, with a median rent of $3,273/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Adelante Charter Santa Barbara, CA | 8.7 |
| Albert A. Michelson Elementary Avery, CA | 8.7 |
| Bowers Elementary Santa Clara, CA | 8.7 |
| Cabrillo Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.7 |
| Charnock Road Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.7 |
| Field Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Carey School
What grades does The Carey School serve?
The Carey School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend The Carey School?
The Carey School has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Carey School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Carey School is 5.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Carey School rank in CA?
The Carey School is ranked #8 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is The Carey School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Carey School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 The Carey School a private school?
Yes, The Carey 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 The Carey School a religious school?
No, The Carey School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 240
- Gender Split
- 46% M / 54% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- SAN MATEO
- Phone
- (650) 345-8205
- 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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