#1 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew
Episcopal school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Christian school in San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
A+Overall grade290 students6 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Private schools in San Mateo County, CA with the highest overall grades. Top 42 of 42 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Nativity Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 84% of Catholic schools in California
Menlo Park, CA
A+Overall grade231 students12 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Notre Dame Elementary School
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 75% of Catholic schools in California
Belmont, CA
A+Overall grade179 students13 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Serendipity School
Independent school · Grades K–5
Smaller classes than 76% of independent schools in California
Belmont, CA
A+Overall grade147 students6 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
St. Dunstan Catholic School
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 80% of Catholic schools in California
Millbrae, CA
A+Overall grade246 students12 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
St. Timothy School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
A+Overall grade152 students15 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Holy Angels School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 87% of Catholic schools in California
Colma, CA
A+Overall grade117 students11 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Woodside Priory School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Portola Valley, CA
A+Overall grade427 students10 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Our Lady Perpetual Help School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Daly City since at least 2011
Daly City, CA
A+Overall grade159 students16 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
The Carey School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
San Mateo, CA
A+Overall grade252 students7 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Hilldale School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 66% of independent schools in California
Daly City, CA
A+Overall grade162 students6 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Trinity School
Episcopal school · Grades Pre-K–5
The only Christian school in Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
A+Overall grade129 students8 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Synapse School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 506% since 2011–12
Menlo Park, CA
A+Overall grade327 students7 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
All Souls Catholic Elementary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in South San Francisco
South San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade218 students17 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Woodland School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 37% since 2011–12
Portola Valley, CA
A+Overall grade272 students8 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
The Nueva School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
A+Overall grade950 students7 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Pacific Bay Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades 6–12
The only Christian school in Pacifica
Pacifica, CA
A+Overall grade181 students10 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
St. Catherine of Siena School
Parish school · Grades K–8
Serving families in Burlingame since at least 2011
Burlingame, CA
A+Overall grade303 students17 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
St. Charles School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 63% of Catholic schools in California
San Carlos, CA
A+Overall grade263 students15 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Immaculate Heart of Mary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 98% of Catholic schools in California
Belmont, CA
A+Overall grade100 students8 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
St. Raymond Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 87% of Catholic schools in California
Menlo Park, CA
AOverall grade241 students11 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
The Primary School - East Palo Alto
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Smaller classes than 82% of independent schools in California
East Palo Alto, CA
AOverall grade255 students5 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Good Shepherd Elementary School
Parish school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Pacifica
Pacifica, CA
AOverall grade198 students18 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in San Mateo County, CA
Belmont Oaks Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
The largest independent school in Belmont
Belmont, CA
A-Overall grade227 students9 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.