Junipero Serra High School Photo - Four members of Serra's mock trial team

Best San Mateo Private Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 32 private schools serving 5,127 students in San Mateo, CA (there are 27 public schools, serving 14,778 public students). 26% of all K-12 students in San Mateo, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The top ranked private schools in San Mateo, CA include The Carey School, Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew, and Junipero Serra High School.
The average tuition cost is $24,474, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,996.
32% of private schools in San Mateo, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Episcopal).

Top Ranked San Mateo Private Schools (2025-26)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Beresford Montessori - San Mateo Location
Beresford Montessori - San Mateo Location Photo
Montessori School
1717 Gum St
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 571-8749
Gr: PK-K | 41 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Fusion Academy San Mateo
Fusion Academy San Mateo Photo - Students get to be up close to everything in our science lab. In the one-to-one classroom students are always involved in experiments and have a hands-on approach to learning. We have college-level tools available and the world can be their classroom if they choose to venture out of the science lab.
Alternative School
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 128
San Mateo, CA 94403
(877) 673-8893
Gr: 6-12 Avg. class size: 1 student Tuition listed
Fusion Academy San Mateo - Foster City
Fusion Academy San Mateo - Foster City Photo - Classes at Fusion are one-to-one: one student and one teacher. Teachers personalize content and act as mentors in the one-to-one setting.
Alternative School
1840 Gateway Dr., Ste. 100
San Mateo, CA 94404
(877) 673-8893
Gr: 6-12 Avg. class size: 1 student Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Burkard School
The Burkard School Photo - The Right Support Makes All The Difference...A small independent K-8 school for bright children who need extra support with self-regulation, executive functioning, and/or social-emotional learning in the classroom.
Special Education School
2333 Palm Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 918-9945
Gr: K-8 | 35 students Avg. class size: 7 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Carey School
The Carey School Photo
1 Carey School Lane
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 345-8205
Gr: NS-5 | 292 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Centennial Montessori School
Centennial Montessori School Photo - A natural play yard for our 3 to 6 year olds provides a multi sensory and creative experience. The children use the space to garden, dance, jump, play games, run, twirl, build, dig and create masterpieces in our art area, mud kitchen, and music area.
Montessori School
27 10th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 340-1230
Gr: PK-6 | 106 students Avg. class size: 24 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew
Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew Photo - Empowering today's learners to become tomorrow's leaders.
(Episcopal)
16 Baldwin Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 274-0775
Gr: PK-8 | 326 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
Junipero Serra High School
Junipero Serra High School Photo - Four members of Serra's mock trial team
All-boys (Catholic)
451 W 20th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 345-8207
Gr: 9-12 | 892 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 58 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Kubo Montessori
Montessori School
2131 S Norfolk St
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 345-3102
Gr: PK-K | 8 students
The Nueva School
Special Program Emphasis
131 E 28th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 235-7172
Gr: PK-12 | 967 students
Odyssey School
Odyssey School Photo - Odyssey School Every step takes us on a new adventure, to the oceans, to the mountains, to theater or classroom, and to the lessons to be learned there. Join us!
(7)
201 Polhemus Rd
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 548-1500
Gr: 6-8 | 53 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Gregory School
(Catholic)
2701 Hacienda St
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 573-0111
Gr: K-8 | 303 students Avg. class size: 35 students Acceptance rate listed
St. Matthew Catholic School
(Catholic)
(1)
910 S El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 343-1373
Gr: K-8 | 624 students Tuition listed
Wherry Academy
Wherry Academy Photo - 608 N. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401. Formerly this campus housed younger students and is now open for all, K-12.Request entrance at the door.
608 N. El Camino Real and 452 5th Avenue, Redwood City
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 367-6791
Gr: K-12 Avg. class size: 3 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
All Are Friends Montessori
Daycare / Preschool
1130 Balclutha Dr
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 286-0400
Gr: PK-K | 28 students
Bay Meadows KinderCare
Bay Meadows KinderCare Photo - Bay Meadows KinderCare Front
Daycare / Preschool
1350 Wayne Way
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 577-0257
Gr: NS-PK | 114 students Tuition listed
Foster City KinderCare
Foster City KinderCare Photo - Foster City KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
1006 Metro Center Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 573-6023
Gr: NS-PK
Fusion Academy - San Mateo
Alternative School
2000 Alameda De Las Pulgas Ste 128
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 312-8305
Gr: 6-12 | 63 students
1840 Gtwy Dr Ste 100
San Mateo, CA 94404
(949) 612-9242
Gr: 6-12 | 51 students
Grace Lutheran School
Grace Lutheran School Photo - Musical Enjoyment with the SF Symphony Orchestra!
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
2825 Alameda De Las Pulgas
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 345-9082
Gr: K-8 | 39 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
1998 Beach Park Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 578-6691
Gr: K-5 | 232 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition listed
Kinder Academy Montessori
Montessori School
300 E Santa Inez Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 340-8819
Gr: K | 27 students
Muslim Children's Garden
Daycare / Preschool (Islamic)
225 Tilton Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 572-0222
Gr: PK-K | 31 students
Pacific Rim International School
Montessori School
454 Peninsula Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 685-1881
Gr: PK-7 | 115 students
Ronald C Wornick Jewish Day School
Ronald C Wornick Jewish Day School Photo - Small class sizes allow students to ask questions, interact more closely with teachers and receive the attention they deserve
(Jewish)
(2)
800 Foster City Blvd, Bldg. 830
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 378-2600
Gr: K-8 | 200 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 4 Tuition listed
St. Ambrose Sea Breeze School
Daycare / Preschool (Episcopal)
900 Edgewater Blvd
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 574-5437
Gr: NS-PK | 196 students Avg. class size: 24 students
St. Timothy School
St. Timothy School Photo
(Catholic)
(11)
1515 Dolan Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 342-6567
Gr: K-8 | 190 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Stanbridge Academy
Stanbridge Academy Photo - Stanbridge Academy is a caring, inclusive K-12 school for students with mild to moderate learning differences and social communication disorders. We use an individualized, whole student approach so that students thrive and develop their academic, social, and emotional capabilities to their fullest potential.
Special Education School
515 E. Poplar Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 375-5860
Gr: K-12 | 80 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition listed
Transfiguration Nursery School
Transfiguration Nursery School Photo - This is some of our wonderful outside play area. We also have a large shaded sand area, a road for cars, and another climbing structure. Needless to say there is lots for children to do.
Daycare / Preschool (Episcopal)
3900 Alameda De Las Pulgas
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 341-7878
Gr: NS-PK | 24 students Avg. class size: 24 students
Tulane Montessori Children's House
Montessori School
315 Tulane Rd
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 342-0447
Gr: PK-K | 80 students Avg. class size: 5 students
Up Academy
151 W 20th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 796-3848
Gr: K-3 | 10 students
Beresford Montessori Academy
Beresford Montessori Academy Photo
Montessori School
1051 S Claremont St.
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 578-8925
Gr: PK-K | 50 students Avg. class size: 22 students Tuition listed
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in San Mateo, California

San Mateo, California Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Newton (Closed 2010)
Special Program Emphasis
1157 Chess Drive Ste 100
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 345-4043
Gr: K-8 | 243 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in San Mateo, CA?
The top ranked private schools in San Mateo, CA include The Carey School, Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew, and Junipero Serra High School.
How many private schools are located in San Mateo?
32 private schools are located in San Mateo.
How much do private schools cost in San Mateo?
The average tuition cost is $24,474, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,996.
How diverse are private schools in San Mateo?
San Mateo private schools are approximately 41% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of students in San Mateo go to private school?
26% of all K-12 students in San Mateo are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in San Mateo?
32% of private schools in San Mateo are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Episcopal).
Which private schools in San Mateo are often viewed compared to one another?

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