2019 Best Public High Schools in San Mateo CountyAbout this List

Aragon High School

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 227

Senior: Aragon has very strong academics. There’s an AP class for every interest with varying work loads. The teachers are all very invested in their students academically as well as personally. No matter the problem, you can always talk to a teacher about it and get the help you need. The one thing that Aragon definitely lacks is school spirit. With so many leadership classes and the like, you would think the school would be more spirited than it is. Students don’t care about school spirit, and leadership’s attempts at changing that are feeble at best.
Read 227 Reviews

• A+

• 1,473 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Burlingame High School

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 197

Senior: Burlingame High School gives each student the opportunity to improve their abilities. There are many resources, including but not limited to: wellness counselors and college advisors. The administration gives a safe space for the students and allow them to know that they are accepted. However, the students in general are not as satisfactory. There is little diversity in the school. Majority of the students are Caucasian and some of them are racist towards the minority in the school. Many say the n-word, and there was a past incident of racism towards the Asian community. Due to the fact that many of the students come from upper-class families, they can make the less fortunate students feel bad for considering community college. Over all, the administration is great.
Read 197 Reviews

• A+

• 1,339 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Carlmont High School

• Sequoia Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 262

Sophomore: Carlmont's inclusiveness and spirit is absolutely amazing, with many different spirit events, clubs, and rallies, it makes the school an exciting place. There are many great opportunities to get involved in whatever you are interested in, as there are an assortment of amazing electives and clubs.
The math department at Carlmont, in my experiences, is absolutely awesome! They are great teachers who really do care about the kids and have amazing attitudes, in which they stay after or come before school to help them out. They are all very funny and have great lectures and curriculum, along with overall teaching styles.
However, I would change some of the science department. In my time at Carlmont, some of the science teachers often discourage kids from pursing science because they either are not engaging or do not teach science well.
Read 262 Reviews

• A+

• 2,147 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

San Mateo High School

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 214

Senior: This school is amazing. We have the best spirit in the whole district, the most caring teachers, and the most fun school events, in and out of school. I can surely attest, as I myself am very active at school. Every grade here has activities to look forward to, but in my opinion, there is no better place to be a freshman. I shadowed at Hillsdale and at San Mateo before choosing San Mateo. I got the biggest welcome from SMHS, and throughout the whole school year, too. Everyone I know who chose Aragon or Hillsdale wish they came here because the spirit just doesn't compare. Who else gets games and good music at lunch in the quad every Friday? No one. Also, as a senior, I am getting so much help from the amazing counselors and the English teachers with college essays and admissions. You will be much happier attending SMHS than any of the other neighboring high schools. Everyone says so!
Read 214 Reviews

• A+

• 1,615 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mills High School

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 229

Senior: Plenty of Mills students are academically driven, and the school has a team of staff and teacher who are able to match the drive for achievement of such students. However, some teachers are rumored to be "bad". Yet, it should be considered that the experience of a class very much depends on the amount of time the student spends on the class and the attitude towards the subject. Nonetheless, some teachers are more challenging than some others teaching the same subject at Mills.
Academically, Mills offers a large selection of AP classes for sophomores to seniors. But note that Mills has a relatively small language selection, with only Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, and Japanese, with the French curriculum discontinued years ago, and lacking Italian, and German.
Mills is also home to unique clubs such as the Diesel Fish (Dragonboat) and the Dragon-Dance team, among many other clubs such as BobaBots (robotics), Entrepreneurship, and Academic Decathlon Club.
Read 229 Reviews

• A+

• 1,198 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Menlo-Atherton High School

• Sequoia Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 227

Parent: Great public high school with probably the most economic diversity in the US. Students are "tracked" but the ones on the collegiate academic track are pushed hard with rigorous AP and AS academics. Students entering on the remedial track are supported and steered to stronger academics. Despite huge disparities, 95% of the graduating students go on for post-secondary education. Sports, the arts and technical education are also strong, with regional and state champions both athletically and in the performing arts/debate.
Read 227 Reviews

• A+

• 2,275 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Hillsdale High School

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 256

Senior: Hillsdale takes pride in being an all-inclusive school with small learning communities, or SLCs for short, to enforce that. I actually really enjoyed being in SLCs because I got to know my classmates and teachers in more depth. Additionally, Hillsdale encourages student voice; there have been many walk outs and protests that are not only supported by the teachers, but are also planned by them. As a senior, I am able to say that I was very prepared for college. All the teachers and counselors work hard to answer any questions, help with college applications, and letter of recommendations. While most things at Hillsdale are good, it's not perfect. There are many facilities that don't work and still haven't been fixed since I came. Multiple soap dispensers, sinks, bathroom locks, etc don't function properly and despite many students' complaining, they still do not work. Many problems are small, but daily occurrences that you wouldn't notice until you have attended Hillsdale for a while.
Read 256 Reviews

• A+

• 1,375 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sequoia High School

• Sequoia Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 281

Senior: The IB program is the only advanced curriculum that legitimately prepares students for college. And as the only public school on the Penninsula to offer it, Sequoia High School is unrivaled on diverse academic preparedness and creates the best possible students. Additionally, Sequoia students understand and perpetuate respect garnering them as some of the most well rounded and balanced students in California. Overall Sequoia high school demands the best of their students so that no matter the students background, when they leave after their time at sequoia, they have become a better version of themselves.
Read 281 Reviews

• A

• 2,143 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Summit Public School - Shasta Campus

• Jefferson Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 36

Senior: Though a small campus, the students and teachers are lively and ready to learn and teach. The students are diverse and friendly, and the teachers are wise and committed to their teaching.

The curriculum differs from other high schools. Class time is spent on the projects that test us on how well we can show important skills such as formulating a theme, selecting evidence, and discussion. The content knowledge comes from the Summit Learning Platform, which shows our whole year's worth of work that we study and master on our own. And hey, if you are a star student, you can even take sophomore classes your freshman year!

The Summit schools have the mentorship program, where students are assigned a mentor for all four years. I formed deep friendships under this system. My mentor was someone who I could go to whenever I needed advice, to vent, or just to chat.

I do not regret coming to Shasta. Coming here has actually made me eager to come to school every day!
Read 36 Reviews

• A

• 325 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Everest Public High School

• Sbe - Everest Public High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 159

Junior: I have been given all the academic necessities to succeed in academia. Additionally, the environment promotes a growth mindset and passion for education! I have learned and developed so many skills! I am proud to call myself and Everest snow leopard.
Read 159 Reviews

• A

• 409 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Oceana High School

• Jefferson Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 99

Alum: Oceana is unique in that the classes emphasize inequalities in society and how they can be fixed through their humanities classes. Overall, Oceana is an excellent high school and I couldn't express enough gratitude for this lovely school!
Read 99 Reviews

• A

• 622 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Woodside High School

• Sequoia Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 180

Senior: Woodside High school is great. With the new building and new renovations, the campus looks great! We are the smallest school in our district, so we truly feel like a small community. Woodside has great resources open to students especially those looking to go to college after high school. Also, our theatre program is extremely well put together, I would recommend coming to see a show!
Read 180 Reviews

• A-

• 1,781 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Design Tech High School

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 17

Senior: Design Tech High School is a fairly new public charter school. I started as a freshman back in 2015, now I am a senior and it has just been wonderful being apart of d.techs first years. The community here is so welcoming and creative. Classes spark innovation and you get the opportunity to learn design thinking which is a super helpful problem-solving process. This school was a really fun and interesting experience that had its ups and downs but changed me for the better overall. Go Dragons!
Read 17 Reviews

• A-

• 260 Students
• 30:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Half Moon Bay High School

• Cabrillo Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 144

Alum: Overall very nice school, and fairly small with less than 1000 students. There are some really amazing teachers there that have really helped me to this day. Fairly normal small town coastal school with spirit!
Read 144 Reviews

• A-

• 1,020 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Summit Preparatory Charter High School

• Sequoia Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 100

Alum: Although it's a small high school, it's full of energy! You know everyone and everyone knows you and you create close bonds. The teachers are great and so are the academics. Teachers truly care about you. My sister, I and now my young brother graduated from there.
Read 100 Reviews

• A-

• 412 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

El Camino High School

• South San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 261

Alum: El Camino was a school that in my brain, I disliked. I didn't participate much my freshman and sophomore years. High School really does implement the "status" system, for people who are in the Arts, intelligent at Mathematics, Sports, Cheerleading, and then there's someone like me, who's just normal. What made me feel like I belonged in this school was the staff. I talked with those who were in high positions, such as Administration, or Counselors, and even teachers! I learned more from them and felt more comfortable than around the kids who were my age. I honestly miss El Camino High. I regret not being more active, but once I began to feel welcomed by the staff and the workers there, I felt like I gained more life just by talking to them. It was really the people who were older than me that made my high school experience worth it. I didn't need the status or the popularity, I just needed people who could give me life advice. And it definitely helped.
Read 261 Reviews

• A-

• 1,387 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Everest Public High School

• Sequoia Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 6

Senior: Everest has allowed me to grow and change as a person. Walking in, I was very lost in my personality and goals/ambitions. Attending Everest has allowed me to explore my passions. Freshman year, I co-founded Everest Environmental Leadership Team (EELT). Over the years, we have cleaned local beaches, educated the public, introduced composting at our school and currently implementing Elkay water system to promote the use of reusable water bottles. I have also been able to explore more of my major/career choice here. In sophomore year, I took Psychology and fell even more in love. This year I choose to do an internship and for a few weeks now, I have been working at San Mateo Outdoor Education (SMOE). This has taught me much first-hand experience in working with all different types of children and also combined my love for the outdoors. No school is perfect but I can truly say (as a Senior) that Everest has prepared me for College and set me up with more opportunities than anyone else.
Read 6 Reviews

• A-

• 376 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Capuchino High School

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 322

Junior: On top of being the most beautiful and diverse campus in our school district, Capuchino is a great place to get involved at school. It's really all about accepting and creating opportunities for yourself whenever possible - all you have to do is ask. Ask for job openings, internships, an application to start a club, programs to get yourself involved with, and anything else you'd want! Besides that, teachers, although not all, are almost always approachable and connect well with students. Staff on the other hand are pretty good but there were issues this past year regarding the final decisions about the vice principal, the job performance of the principal, and the new bell schedule, despite student and family input. Capuchino may not be a prefect school but it has so many resources for students to use, it's just that not all students take advantage of them.
Read 322 Reviews

• A-

• 1,127 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Terra Nova High School

• Jefferson Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 247

Senior: Terra Nova is a great school, some of the kids can take advantage of new teachers and be very distracting in classrooms. However, the amount of extracurriculars and sports that are offered here truly made my experience here bareable. Join clubs, meet new people, try new things, and push yourself to take harder classes than you think you can handle. Also, do marching band!
Read 247 Reviews

• B+

• 1,012 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Westmoor High School

• Jefferson Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 246

Alum: A good public school, but not the best. The staff cares, and we have some excellent teachers. Budget cuts and other financial issues have held back the progress of the school, but they have recently started construction and are building new facilities after many years!
Read 246 Reviews

• B+

• 1,669 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pescadero High School

• La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 11

Senior: Pescadero High Scool has the best teachers any student could ask for. The students themselves are also great, everyone knows one-another because of the small town of which we live in.
Read 11 Reviews

• B

• 96 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

South San Francisco High School

• South San Francisco Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 381

Senior: Things I like about South San Francisco High School is its very diverse and open to a lot feedback and opportunities. The school tries its best to keep up with developing technology and changing society to adjust with the things that students require to become life-long resilient learners, and maybe change the world for the betterment of society. Things that I like to see change are the policies the school has on student behavior and how they approach these conflicts. I'd also like to see change in is the gap between teaching, learning, and understanding.
Read 381 Reviews

• B

• 1,363 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jefferson High School

• Jefferson Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 112

Sophomore: Jefferson High School is an amazing place to go to school. It has an old reputation for being "ghetto" or of a lower academic quality compared to other schools in the area, but that is certainly not the case anymore. Recently, state test scores have risen significantly and many graduates have been admitted into prestigious universities and colleges including each school in the UC system. The student population is completely diverse, each coming from different ethnic backgrounds, religions, and interests. Their sport teams have recently won several championships and they also have amazing band, robotics, dance, and ASB programs. There are many clubs and teams on campus for whatever students may be interested in, and the faculty is very supportive and friendly as well. Students typically have a wonderful experience at Jefferson and grow into independent, well-rounded, and kind young men and women.
Read 112 Reviews

• B-

• 1,162 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Redwood High School

• Sequoia Union High School District, CA
• 9-12
• 7

• B-

• 273 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Thornton High School

• Jefferson Union High School District, CA
• 9-12

• B-

• 121 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio