Best San Mateo County Private Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 116 private schools serving 22,099 students in San Mateo County, CA (there are 179 public schools, serving 85,307 public students). 21% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The average tuition cost is $25,548, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $18,350.
36% of private schools in San Mateo County, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 116
  • # Students Served: 22,099
  • Average Tuition: $25,548
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 22%
  • Acceptance Rate: 67%
  • Average Class Size: 17 students
  • % Students of Color: 43%
  • View San Mateo County, CA School Trends

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 116
  • # Students Served: 22,099
  • Average Tuition: $25,548
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 22%
  • Acceptance Rate: 67%
  • Average Class Size: 17 students
  • % Students of Color: 43%
  • View San Mateo County, CA School Trends

Top Ranked San Mateo County Private Schools (2026-27)

Highlands Christian Schools Photo
Gr: NS-8 | 467 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 6
Christian
1900 Monterey Dr
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 873-4090
Phillips Brooks School Photo
Gr: NS-5 | 306 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 2
2245 Avy Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-4545
(9)
Trinity School Photo
Gr: NS-5 | 161 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Extracurriculars: 8
Episcopal
2650 Sand Hill Rd
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-0288
Beresford Montessori - San Mateo Location Photo
Gr: PK-K | 41 students
Sports: 1 | Extracurriculars: 3
Montessori School
1717 Gum St
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 571-8749
Fusion Academy San Mateo Photo
Gr: 6-12
Avg. class size: 1 student
Alternative School
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 128
San Mateo, CA 94403
(877) 673-8893
Fusion Academy San Mateo - Foster City Photo
Gr: 6-12
Avg. class size: 1 student
Alternative School
1840 Gateway Dr., Ste. 100
San Mateo, CA 94404
(877) 673-8893
Redeemer School Photo
Gr: PK-8 | 160 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 6 | Extracurriculars: 7
Christian
468 Grand Street
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 366-3466
(1)
Stratford School San Bruno Crestmoor Canyon Photo
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students
Extracurriculars: 6
2322 Crestmoor Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 719-8197
Stratford School San Bruno El Camino Photo
Gr: PK | 144 students
Daycare / Preschool
300 El Camino Real
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 897-1481
Acton Academy Silicon Valley Photo
Gr: PK-8 | 100 students
Avg. class size: 14 students
Alternative School
201 Arch St
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 204-0304
All Souls Catholic Elementary School Photo
Gr: K-8 | 207 students
Sports: 4 | Extracurriculars: 6
Catholic
479 Miller Ave
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 583-3562
Belmont Oaks Academy Photo
Gr: PK-5 | 392 students
Avg. class size: 24 students
2200 Carlmont Dr
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 593-6175
Map of Bright Horizon Chinese School
Gr: K-5 | 137 students
Specialized Curriculum
902 Emerald Hill Rd
Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 773-0917
The Burkard School Photo
Gr: K-8 | 35 students
Avg. class size: 7 students
Special Education School
2333 Palm Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 918-9945
The Carey School Photo
Gr: NS-5 | 292 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
1 Carey School Lane
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 345-8205
Centennial Montessori School Photo
Gr: PK-6 | 106 students
Avg. class size: 24 students
Montessori School
27 10th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 340-1230
Crystal Springs Photo
Gr: 6-12 | 576 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 17
400 Uplands Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 342-4175
Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew Photo
Gr: PK-8 | 326 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 11 | Extracurriculars: 11
Episcopal
16 Baldwin Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 274-0775
(3)
Map of Happy Hall School
Gr: NS-PK | 138 students
Sports: 1
Daycare / Preschool
233 Santa Inez Ave
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 583-7370
Hilldale School Photo
Gr: PK-8 | 247 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Sports: 4 | Extracurriculars: 5
Specialized Curriculum
79 Florence St.
Daly City, CA 94014
(650) 756-4737
(3)
Show 81 more private schools in San Mateo County, CA (out of 116 total schools)
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[+] Show Closed Private Schools in San Mateo County, California

San Mateo County Private Schools (Closed)

Map of A Childs Way
Gr: K | 21 students
Daycare / Preschool
817 Murchison Dr
Millbrae, CA 94030
(650) 697-4760
The Discovery Center School Photo
Gr: PK-12 | 11 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
452 5th Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 367-6791
(4)
Map of Kindercourt Academy
Gr: K | 69 students
Daycare / Preschool
1225 Greenwood Ave
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 591-4882
Map of Mater Dolorosa School
Gr: K-8 | 203 students
Catholic
1040 Miller Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 588-8175
Map of Newton
Gr: K-8 | 243 students
Specialized Curriculum
1157 Chess Drive Ste 100
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 345-4043
Map of Peninsula Christian School
Gr: PK-8 | 101 students
Assembly of God
1305 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 366-3842
Map of Roger Williams Academy
Gr: 4-10 | 15 students
Calvinist
600 Grand Ave
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(415) 238-9669

Overview

Category
This State (CA)
US
# Schools
120 Schools
# Students
22,099 Students
659,293 Students
% Average Students of Color
43%
52%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
2,552 Teachers
55,641 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
64%
59%
Average Class Size
17 students
17 students
Average Number of AP Courses
17 courses
15 courses
Average SAT score
1175
(Out of 1600)
1264
Average ACT score
32
(Out of 36)
27

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$25,548
$18,350
Average Summer Program Cost
$602
$1,062
Average % on Financial Aid
22%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$17,125
$9,066
Average Acceptance Rate
67%
80%
Average Endowment Size
$28.17 million
$31.26 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.71
0.74
# American Indian Students
80 Students
3,575 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
3,730 Students
71,780 Students
% Asian Students
18%
11%
# Hispanic Students
1,529 Students
104,409 Students
% Hispanic Students
7%
16%
# Black Students
284 Students
30,223 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
8,269 Students
235,771 Students
% White Students
40%
37%
# Hawaiian Students
143 Students
5,499 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
6,713 Students
188,336 Students
% of Others Students
32%
29%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
6 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in San Mateo County, CA?
The top ranked private schools in San Mateo County, CA include The Nueva Middle School, Crystal Springs, and Belmont Oaks Academy.
How many private schools are located in San Mateo County?
116 private schools are located in San Mateo County.
How much do private schools cost in San Mateo County?
The average tuition cost is $25,548, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $18,350.
How diverse are private schools in San Mateo County?
San Mateo County private schools are approximately 43% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 52%.
What percentage of students in San Mateo County go to private school?
21% of all K-12 students in San Mateo County are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in San Mateo County?
36% of private schools in San Mateo County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private schools in San Mateo County are often viewed compared to one another?

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