- North Shoreview Montessori — 0.2 mi · Grades K–8 · 325 students
- College Park Elementary — 0.4 mi · Grades K–5 · 431 students
- Sunnybrae Elementary — 1.0 mi · Grades K–5 · 346 students
- LEAD Elementary — 1.1 mi · Grades K–5 · 349 students
- San Mateo Park Elementary — 1.3 mi · Grades K–5 · 340 students
- Bayside Academy — 1.5 mi · Grades K–8 · 840 students
- Parkside Montessori — 1.6 mi · Grades K–8 · 418 students
- Baywood Elementary — 1.7 mi · Grades K–5 · 489 students
| Metric | San Mateo-Foster City School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 10,067 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 22 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $21,975/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 25% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo-Foster City School District (this district) | 8/10 | 78th | 10,067 |
| San Mateo Union High School District | 9/10 | 85th | 8,942 |
| Sequoia Union High School District | 9/10 | 86th | 8,599 |
| South San Francisco Unified School District | 7/10 | 66th | 7,868 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 963 rated districts in CA → 78th percentile → 8/10.
Source: California Dept. of Education CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About San Mateo-Foster City School District
Zip code 94401 in San Mateo, California is served by San Mateo-Foster City School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Kindergarten – 8th. This page provides a data-driven overview of San Mateo-Foster City School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
San Mateo-Foster City School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 8/10, placing it in the above average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in California’s CAASPP Smarter Balanced assessments (2023–24 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because California is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
San Mateo-Foster City School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in California. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 94401
Children in zip code 94401 are assigned to San Mateo-Foster City School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 8th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 94401, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact San Mateo-Foster City School District at (650)312-7700 or visit www.smfcsd.net. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — California districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in San Mateo
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because San Mateo-Foster City School District serves zip code 94401, homes in and around zip code 94401 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In California, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support San Mateo-Foster City School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 94401.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with San Mateo-Foster City School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 94401 data.