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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best San Mateo County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 35 public high schools serving 26,215 students in San Mateo County, CA. The top-ranked public high schools in San Mateo County, CA are Carlmont High School, Burlingame High School and Aragon High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
San Mateo County, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in San Mateo County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of California public high schools.
San Mateo County, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 91%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is El Camino High School, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in San Mateo County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Carlmont High School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1400 Alameda De Las Pulgas
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 595-0210
Gr: 9-12 | 2,360 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #22.
Burlingame High School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1 Mangini Way
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 558-2899
Gr: 9-12 | 1,583 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #33.
Aragon High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
900 Alameda De Las Pulgas
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 558-2999
Gr: 9-12 | 1,658 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #44.
Mills High School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
400 Murchison Dr.
Millbrae, CA 94030
(650) 558-2599
Gr: 9-12 | 1,115 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #55.
Design Tech High School
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
275 Oracle Pkwy.
Redwood City, CA 94065
(650) 231-2701
Gr: 9-12 | 567 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #66.
Summit Public School Shasta
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
905 Campus Dr.
Daly City, CA 94015
(415) 799-4719
Gr: 9-12 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #77.
Menlo-atherton High School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
555 Middlefield Rd.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 322-5311
Gr: 9-12 | 2,158 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #88.
Hillsdale High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3115 Del Monte St.
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 558-2699
Gr: 9-12 | 1,585 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #99.
Woodside High School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
199 Churchill Ave.
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 367-9750
Gr: 9-12 | 1,660 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1010.
Westmoor High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
131 Westmoor Ave.
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 550-7400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,278 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1111.
San Mateo High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
506 North Delaware St.
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 558-2399
Gr: 9-12 | 1,557 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1212.
Terra Nova High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1450 Terra Nova Blvd.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 550-7600
Gr: 9-12 | 740 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1313.
Tide Academy
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
150 Jefferson Dr.
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 369-1411
Gr: 9-12 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Oceana High School
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
401 Paloma Ave.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 550-7300
Gr: 9-12 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Sequoia High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1201 Brewster Ave.
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 367-9780
Gr: 9-12 | 1,854 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1616.
Capuchino High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1501 Magnolia Ave.
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 558-2799
Gr: 9-12 | 1,061 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1717.
Canyon Oaks Youth Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
400 Edmonds Rd.
Redwood City, CA 94065
(650) 839-1810
Gr: 7-12 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #1818.
El Camino High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1320 Mission Rd.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 877-8806
Gr: 9-12 | 1,053 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1919.
Pescadero High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
350 Butano Cut Off
Pescadero, CA 94060
(650) 879-0274
Gr: 9-12 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2020.
Gateway Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
35 Tower Rd.
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 598-2150
Gr: 6-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Margaret J. Kemp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 Paul Scannell Dr.
Redwood City, CA 94065
(650) 312-5235
Gr: 7-12
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Pilarcitos Alternative High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
498 Kelly Ave.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 712-7224
Gr: 9-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2323.
South San Francisco High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 B St.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 877-8754
Gr: 9-12 | 1,239 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2424.
Half Moon Bay High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1 Lewis Foster Dr.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 712-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 911 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2525.
Jefferson High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
6996 Mission St.
Daly City, CA 94014
(650) 550-7700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,072 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2626.
Summit Preparatory Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
890 Broadway
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 556-1110
Gr: 9-12 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2727.
Thornton High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
115 First Ave.
Daly City, CA 94014
(650) 550-7840
Gr: 9-12 | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2828.
Everest Public High School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
455 Fifth Ave.
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 366-1050
Gr: 9-12 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2929.
San Mateo County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
101 Twin Dolphin Dr.
Redwood City, CA 94065
(650) 802-5588
Gr: K-12 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #3030.
Hillcrest At Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
10 Loop Rd.
Redwood City, CA 94065
(650) 312-5323
Gr: 5-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Baden High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
825 Southwood Dr.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 877-8769
Gr: 9-12 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Peninsula High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
860 Hinckley Rd.
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 558-2402
Gr: 9-12 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3333.
Redwood High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1968 Old County Rd.
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 369-1411
Gr: 9-12 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
The Bridge Academy
Alternative School
798 East Poplar Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 558-2271
Gr: 10-12 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: n/an/a
Community Day
Alternative School
201 West Orange Ave.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 616-3882
Gr: 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in San Mateo County, CA?
The top-ranked public high schools in San Mateo County, CA include Carlmont High School, Burlingame High School and Aragon High School. San Mateo County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in California.
How many public high schools are located in San Mateo County?
35 public high schools are located in San Mateo County.
What is the racial composition of students in San Mateo County?
San Mateo County public high schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in San Mateo County are often viewed compared to one another?

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