The Best Private Schools in San Mateo, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in San Mateo. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Serra High School
Archdiocese of San Francisco
Serra High School is a prestigious Catholic college preparatory school for young men with a long-standing tradition of academic excellence. Founded by the Christian Brothers, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, character development, and leadership. The 27-acre campus features modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities including a stadium and gymnasium, and dedicated arts spaces. Serra is known for its strong athletic programs, particularly in football and baseball, and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate with graduates attending top universities nationwide. The school community emphasizes brotherhood, service, and academic achievement.
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Mercy High School Burlingame
Sisters of Mercy
Mercy High School is an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school serving the San Mateo Peninsula area. The school provides a challenging academic environment focused on empowering young women through education rooted in the Mercy values of compassion, service, and excellence. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, a robust STEM program, extensive visual and performing arts offerings, and comprehensive college counseling. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, a performing arts center, athletic facilities, and innovative learning spaces. Mercy emphasizes leadership development, community service, and preparing students for success in college and beyond, with graduates consistently accepted to prestigious universities.
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Stratford School - San Carlos Middle School
Stratford School
Stratford School's San Carlos Middle School campus provides an exceptional private education for grades 6-8, serving families throughout San Mateo County. The school is renowned for its rigorous academic program that emphasizes critical thinking, innovation, and preparation for high school and beyond. The curriculum features advanced mathematics and science courses, comprehensive language arts, and specialized STEM programs. The modern campus includes technology-enhanced classrooms, science laboratories, art studios, and athletic facilities. Stratford focuses on developing well-rounded students through a balance of academic challenge, character education, and diverse extracurricular opportunities including competitive sports, robotics, and performing arts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in San Mateo, California
What are the main types of private schools available in San Mateo, California, and how do they differ?
San Mateo offers a diverse range of private schools, primarily categorized as independent secular, Catholic/parochial, and specialized preparatory schools. Notable examples include single-gender Catholic schools like Serra High School (all-boys) and Mercy High School Burlingame (all-girls), which offer faith-based education with strong college preparatory programs. In contrast, institutions like Stratford School provide a co-educational, secular, and academically accelerated curriculum from preschool through middle school. The Peninsula is also home to independent K-12 schools focusing on progressive education or specific pedagogical approaches like Montessori. This variety allows parents to choose based on educational philosophy, religious affiliation, and academic intensity.
How does tuition for private schools in San Mateo, CA, compare to the broader Bay Area, and what financial aid options are typical?
While generally high, tuition in San Mateo is often slightly more accessible than in neighboring cities like San Francisco or Palo Alto, but still reflects the Bay Area's high cost of living. For the 2024-25 school year, annual tuition for high schools like Serra or Mercy ranges from approximately $25,000 to $30,000. K-8 programs like Stratford can range from $20,000 to $35,000. Virtually all established private schools in San Mateo offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need, and many participate in the BASIC Fund or other California-based scholarship programs for middle-income families. It's crucial to apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as funds are limited.
What are the key enrollment timelines and admission requirements for private high schools in San Mateo?
The admission process for San Mateo area private schools is highly structured and typically begins 12-18 months before the desired fall entry. Key steps include: attending open houses (usually September-November), submitting applications by early January (often via the Standard Application for Independent Schools - SAIS), taking the ISEE or HSPT entrance exam, and completing student interviews and school visits by February. Schools like Serra and Mercy, as part of the Diocese, may use specific Catholic school application systems. Notifications are released in mid-March. For competitive schools, starting the process in the spring of the student's 7th grade year is strongly advised.
Given San Mateo's proximity to Silicon Valley, what unique academic or extracurricular programs do local private schools offer?
San Mateo private schools leverage their Silicon Valley location with a strong emphasis on STEM, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Many schools have dedicated makerspaces, robotics teams, and coding curricula integrated from elementary grades. For example, Stratford School emphasizes project-based learning in science and technology. Furthermore, schools often have partnerships with local tech companies for internships, speaker series, and mentorship programs. Beyond STEM, schools capitalize on the coastal and environmental resources of the Peninsula with robust outdoor education, marine biology courses, and sustainability initiatives. This blend of high-tech and environmental science is a distinctive feature of the area.
For families considering both options, what are the primary factors when comparing high-performing public school districts in San Mateo with private schools?
The San Mateo Union High School District and surrounding elementary districts are highly rated, making the decision nuanced. Key differentiators include: **Class Size** (private schools often have 15-20 students vs. 25-35+ in public), **Specialized Focus** (private schools can offer specific religious education or pedagogical approaches), and **Resource Allocation** (private schools may have more funds for arts, technology, and facilities per student). Public schools offer greater demographic diversity and extensive extracurricular breadth due to larger student populations. Many families in San Mateo choose private schools for a more tailored, consistent academic environment from K-12, avoiding the transition between separate elementary and middle school districts that is common in the public system here.
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