2022 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County

The Nueva School

• Private School•
• HILLSBOROUGH, CA•
• PK, K-12
• •
  Rating 4.53 out of 5  60 reviews

Sophomore: Nueva is an amazing school! There are so many opportunities all just waiting for anyone who is motivated. There is a 230+ page course catalog and a wide range of extracurriculars to take your passions to the next level. The students are kind and cool (everyone's smart but not everyone's a nerd). There are fun social events like dances, coffeehouses, musical performances, sports games, spirit rallies, and more! Nueva provides excellent STEM education (humanities as well), and the teachers are genuinely interested in you and want you to succeed...Read 60 Reviews

• grade A+

• 967 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Crystal Springs Uplands School

• Private School•
• HILLSBOROUGH, CA•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: Crystal prepares students for college! The only major downside is that I wish that there was more racial/ethnic diversity. There are only a few African-American students, roughly 5% of the entire school population, and it can be extremely isolating. Additionally, it has also been hard for me due to the fact that I am transitioning to male and as much as the school is trying to support me and understand, I think there is still A LOT of work to be done in regards to supporting LGBT(+) students. ...With that said, the academics are world-class. It definitely gives (and gave) me an advantage in testing, access to higher-level education, study skills, and essay writing. To those who are looking to apply, the biggest advice I would give is: Don't be afraid of the cost. The school gives excellent financial aid to those who truly need it.Read 44 Reviews

• grade A+

• 539 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Menlo School

• Private School•
• ATHERTON, CA•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  76 reviews

Parent: As both an alum and a current parent of Menlo School, I can say that it is a very special place. Menlo provides so many wonderful things, but one that stands out the most is its teachers. I have never seen a faculty so dedicated, interesting, involved, passionate and caring as the ones at Menlo. They are top notch and provide an education unlike any other. They truly make Menlo so incredibly special and prepare its students for not just college, but life beyond school. I am beyond grateful to have been a student at Menlo and to now have my children at Menlo...Read 76 Reviews

• grade A+

• 795 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Woodside Priory School

• Private School•
• PORTOLA VALLEY, CA•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  71 reviews

Alum: Work Culture: Priory emphasizes balance. The people within this community care about your wellbeing and are more focused on creating great people than producing more robots who fuel Silicon Valley's toxic work culture. But, don't get me wrong, kids still care about academics a lot. For example, in one class, around fifteen kids got into ivy league schools and six kids got into Stanford. ...Social Life: Your social life is determined by who you hang out with and the general attitude of your class. Luckily, there were a lot of people in my class who loved to host parties or knew kids from other schools who were throwing parties. During my senior year, there were stretches where my friends and I were going to a party every weekend for eight weeks straight. ...Dating: Dating at Priory is pretty normal, but due to the small class sizes, it's pretty hard to keep your business private. Sports: Basketball, XC, and Girls Soccer are the strongest programs. Campus: Best in NorCal easily.Read 71 Reviews

• grade A+

• 382 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sacred Heart Schools Atherton

• Private School•
• ATHERTON, CA•
• PK, K-12
• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  102 reviews

Alum: I attended Sacred Heart Schools from 2016-2019. It was a great experience, and I enjoyed every second of it. There are tons of extracurriculars if you're a sports person, and the robotics team is pretty good this year. If you like dance, theater, art, science, english, social sciences, robotics, sports, community service, or religion, Sacred Heart is the school for you. The science program is relatively amazing, and social sciences department is totally rocking it. If you like religion, you'll love the religious studies department. The English department is also doing their job really well. Pretty much all the juniors here take AP English Language and Composition, and Sacred Heart definitely prepares everyone for college really well. The counselors here are actually really good overall, and the community is generally very supportive. There's definitely room for growth at Sacred Heart (like it would be nice to offer more math classes), but overall, I totally love this school...Read 102 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,180 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pacific Bay Christian School

• Private School•
• PACIFICA, CA•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  60 reviews

Parent: An excellent Christian private school. For a small school, it offers an amazing diversity of challenging academics/APs for college prep but also student support. The motto is that students come first, and every student is known and loved. The administration aims to support struggling students, & that academic and mental health support been especially important at this time. At the very start of the pandemic, while other schools were scrambling to transition to virtual learning or independent study projects, PacBay seamlessly moved learning online over the course of a weekend. The administration did a great job researching and planning. Students attended classes on campus one day, and smoothly transitioned online the next week to minimize learning loss. As restrictions loosened, and vaccinations rose, the school's done a wonderful job re-opening the campus safely. Esp in a time of uncertainty & anxiety, you want to feel confident about where you send your child to school. We do...Read 60 Reviews

• grade A+

• 192 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Notre Dame High School - Belmont

• Private School•
• BELMONT, CA•
• 9-12
• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  118 reviews

Senior: Notre Dame is a great Private All Girls Catholic School located in Belmont California. They have amazing teachers who will put your daughters learning above all else, the small classroom sizes help with that!...Read 118 Reviews

• grade A+

• 468 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Junipero Serra High School

• Private School•
• SAN MATEO, CA•
• 9-12
• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  324 reviews

Alum: I am a 1960 graduate of Serra High School of San Mateo, California, my brother graduated from Serra several years later, and my son also graduated from Serra. I have been involved in the school as a supporter for many years. I have gotten to know many members of the staff and many many successful graduates. For Serra to have been ignored, when many other schools which are similar (Archbishop Riordan, for example, is very similarly-situated, not really close academically or otherwise) were ranked and Serra was ignored is really inexcusable...Read 324 Reviews

• grade A+

• 807 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Eastside College Preparatory School

• Private School•
• EAST PALO ALTO, CA•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  145 reviews

Senior: Eastside college preparatory is a small school in which allows you to communicate with your teachers very well. Eastside has many summer classes that prepare you for college. Eastside also helps students keep up with their grades in order to learn how to take responsibility of their own work. The teachers do give out lots of homework but it all is worth it in the end because at the end you will be well prepared for college and very responsible. Eastside also has a couple sports like basketball, volleyball, cross country/track, and soccer. They also have electives such as photography, art, yearbook, journalism, creative writing, music and much more! Overall Eastside has helped me reach my own potential that I never thought I would reach and it has also helped me be more responsible with managing time with homework and work...Read 145 Reviews

• grade A

• 336 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mid-Peninsula High School

• Private School•
• MENLO PARK, CA•
• 9-12
• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  17 reviews

Parent: Our son is just finishing his first year at Mid Pen and so far, we give it an enthusiastic thumbs up. The kids are kind and accepting of each other, the student body is very diverse in all ways- and all are accepted. Athletics were high on our son's priority list, and the balance has been great! He has time for sports and homework, without feeling overscheduled! The teachers have been warm and helpful. Our son is really coming out of his shell as his confidence grows. We are so glad to see him happy and to know he is actually enjoying his high school years! That is exactly what we hoped to find! The administration is also very approachable and seeks parent feedback regularly. The parents are involved and supportive. All in all, it is an oasis of sanity in the middle of the frenetic pace of Silicon Valley...Read 17 Reviews

• grade A

• 143 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mercy High School, Burlingame

• Private School•
• BURLINGAME, CA•
• 9-12
• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  115 reviews

Alum: I graduated from Mercy a few years back and have nothing but great memories from my time there. The friendships I made and still have, the teachers that helped me find the best path for me, and the many resources available to students to prepare us for college are just a few of the many reasons I enjoyed my years there. Because of the science classes I took, I pursued a degree in Chemistry and am currently in graduate school and would not be here today if it weren't for the teachers and curriculum at Mercy. Participating in student council allowed me to find my voice and am forever grateful for all of the opportunities that were given to us. I would highly recommend Mercy to all young women looking for a great and memorable four years!...Read 115 Reviews

• grade A

• 425 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Fusion Academy San Mateo

• Private School•
• SAN MATEO, CA•
• 6-12

• grade A minus

• 65 Students
• 2:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Futures Academy - San Mateo

• Private School•
• SAN MATEO, CA•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: My daughter struggled at a large public school and she received little to no support from the school. We transferred to Futures mid-year and the change was amazing. Her grades improved dramatically but more importantly, so did her self esteem. The teachers are wonderful and truly care about their students. I'm so thankful for Futures!...Read 3 Reviews

• grade A+

• 28 Students
• 1:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Trinity School

• Private School•
• MENLO PARK, CA•
• PK, K-5
• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  20 reviews

Parent: Trinity is a gem in Silicon Valley! This school fosters kindness and inclusion, curiosity and love for learning, and authentic leadership and community engagement. Their graduates often go on to some of the most sought after middle and high schools, but most importantly they work closely with the families and students to make sure they find the right fit path for each child. The schools always say how well prepared and kind Trinity kids are, a testament to the amazing educators and families. We have been so lucky to be a part of this community, and we owe Trinity for the solid foundation and warm, welcoming community that has helped our children develop such a strong sense of self and confidence, as well as keen understanding and interest in making an impact beyond themselves. We were admitted to several schools and chose Trinity for these very reasons, and were lucky enough to equally have several options post graduation and were thrilled with how prepared our children are...Read 20 Reviews

• grade A+

• 161 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Phillips Brooks School

• Private School•
• MENLO PARK, CA•
• PK, K-5
• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  24 reviews

Parent: This is our second year at PBS, we started out in pre-K, now in Kindergarten. We couldn't be happier with the school. My daughter is excited to go to school every day and is developing a true love of learning which I hope will set her up for success throughout her educational journey...The PBS teachers genuinely care about and get to know each child on a personal level and I've found the other families at the school to be very welcoming and kind. Plus the after school enrichment options are great!...Read 24 Reviews

• grade A+

• 285 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Peninsula School

• Private School•
• MENLO PARK, CA•
• PK, K-8
• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: This is our second year in the nursery/preschool. Last year, was my son's first time in school. They were so supportive during the transition and helped us ease into it. Now, he leaves for school joyfully. We love the support for independent, creative, and unstructured play; they explore all kinds of art materials, sand, water, climbing, swinging, etc. They have programs like music, science, library trips, and PE, but primarily they are encouraged to explore their interests at their own pace. My son's independent creativity exploded at home after starting there...Nursery has a strong focus on social-emotional growth as the children learn to navigate friendships, and the tree-filled (and somewhat wonderfully muddy) campus is extraordinary. As of Fall 2020, we are on campus, and with Covid protocols in place, it feels safe. My son is ecstatic to be there and even said (unprompted) that he often forgets he is wearing a mask.We are looking forward to many happy years at Peninsula.Read 6 Reviews

• grade A

• 254 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Woodland School

• Private School•
• PORTOLA VALLEY, CA•
• PK, K-8
• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  8 reviews

Parent: We've been at Woodland for 10 years, our eldest graduated last year. Our youngest started kindergarten this year and we have a middle schooler. We've loved the community, teachers and staff. Everyone on campus knows each child and sees them as an individual in class, in sports, and on the blacktop. It's a joyful place!...Read 8 Reviews

• grade A

• 302 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Nativity Elementary School

• Private School•
• MENLO PARK, CA•
• K-8
• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: Great sense of community! From day one, as a new family, the school welcomes you into their fold. The Men's club does great events that makes everyone feel welcome. My son acclimated very well into the school and now love Nativity and his friends and teachers!...Read 5 Reviews

• grade A

• 301 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Synapse School

• Private School•
• MENLO PARK, CA•
• K-8
• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  11 reviews

Parent: This is our fourth year at Synapse and we couldn't be happier. I'll share something I said at a parent tour event. When considering different schools, parents will often try to figure out what the focus is of any school. Synapse makes a bet that to succeed in the 21st century, kids need to have advanced EQ stills. Success is not based on knowledge, but rather their ability to learn, be compassionate and work with others, and iterate through failure. However, it's a false choice to think we must chose between EQ training and traditional skills development and knowledge acquisition. Synapse does both (ask admissions about its stellar test scores) with humility and a never ending quest for innovation and improvement, much like the people in the broader community it serves...Read 11 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 270 Students
• 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew

• Private School•
• SAN MATEO, CA•
• PK, K-8
• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  14 reviews

Parent: We have two kids here and are super impressed by how well run the school is and how much support and attention our kids are getting from their teachers. The engagement with the school leadership is also top notch. Feel very fortunate to have found Saint Matt's and know the learning, sense of community, and peers are really special. I also love the facilities; place feels really put together. We were lucky to have a lot of choices and so glad we chose Saint Matt's!...Read 14 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 307 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Notre Dame Elementary School

• Private School•
• BELMONT, CA•
• K-8
• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  12 reviews

Parent: My review of Notre Dame Elementary is for the middle school only. It’s very structured, highly academic, lots of homework. The classes are all of an “advanced”/“honors” level quality. But from what I can tell, the kids rise to the challenge. They motivate & support each other. As a school community, We’ve had some bumps in the road with staffing - as you’ll read in other reviews here on this site. But, We have a pretty solid team now. All middle school teachers are passionate about their subject area. So... If your kid goes here for middle school, expect the bar to be held high. Expect them to work at least six days a week & to be up late a few nights a week studying. But if they’re up to it... you can also expect your child to become advocate for themselves. Expect them to develop a toughness that most adults don’t even have! Expect them to dream big! Also this school is pretty diverse & welcoming . Every is embraced here...Read 12 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 186 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Matthew Catholic School

• Private School•
• SAN MATEO, CA•
• K-8
• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

• grade unavailable

• 614 Students
• 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Highlands Christian Schools

• Private School•
• SAN BRUNO, CA•
• PK, K-8
• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: Smiley faces for all. Very happy community. Not good with money. Overall it is a good school and I like it so there.Read 1 Review

• grade unavailable

• 555 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Our Lady of Mercy School

• Private School•
• DALY CITY, CA•
• PK, K-8
• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: My daughter grow up in OLM from K to 8 and she is graduating this summer. She learn, play with lots of good friends, they have the largest group of kids, Class of 2020! I like the school most is the culture and parents involving. We closely watching our kid and her classmates become teenagers. Families become life time friends.Read 5 Reviews

• grade unavailable

• 454 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Catherine of Siena School

• Private School•
• BURLINGAME, CA•
• K-8

• grade unavailable

• 357 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio