The Carey School Photo

Best San Mateo Private Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 private preschools serving 2,605 students in San Mateo, CA.
The top-ranked private preschools in San Mateo, CA include The Nueva School, Centennial Montessori School, and Kubo Montessori.
The average acceptance rate is 11%, which is lower than the California private preschool average acceptance rate of 83%.
28% of private preschools in San Mateo, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Episcopal and Catholic).

Top-Ranked San Mateo Private Preschools (2026)

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
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)
(3)
16 Baldwin Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 274-0775
Gr: PK-8 | 326 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition 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
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
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 Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 2 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
Kids Konnect Infant Care & Preschool
Daycare / Preschool
(1)
137 N San Mateo dr
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 383-7510
Gr: NS-PK | 10 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
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
(Catholic)
(11)
1515 Dolan Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 342-6567
Gr: PK-8 | 190 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 3 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
[+] 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

Overview

This Town (San Mateo)
This State (CA)
# Schools
18 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
2,605 Students
362,442 Students
% Average Students of Color
52%
50%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
333 Teachers
26,764 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
14:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
58%
58%
Average Class Size
20 students
18 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$23,681
$15,677
Average Summer Program Cost
$605
$778
Average % on Financial Aid
15%
25%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$9,418
$5,775
Average Acceptance Rate
11%
83%
Average Endowment Size
$5 million
$31 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.67
0.70
# American Indian Students
40 Students
1,687 Students
% American Indian Students
2%
n/a
# Asian Students
473 Students
30,535 Students
% Asian Students
19%
9%
# Hispanic Students
92 Students
43,563 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
13%
# Black Students
28 Students
12,191 Students
% Black Students
1%
3%
# White Students
695 Students
112,615 Students
% White Students
27%
33%
# Hawaiian Students
8 Students
2,016 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,209 Students
143,243 Students
% of Others Students
47%
41%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
5 extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
4 sports
6 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private preschools in San Mateo, CA?
The top-ranked private preschools in San Mateo, CA include The Nueva School, Centennial Montessori School, and Kubo Montessori.
How many private preschools are located in San Mateo?
18 private preschools are located in San Mateo.
How diverse are private preschools in San Mateo?
San Mateo private preschools are approximately 52% minority students, which is higher than the California private school average of 50%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in San Mateo?
28% of private preschools in San Mateo are religiously affiliated (most commonly Episcopal and Catholic).

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