Highlands Elementary

Tucked into one of San Mateo's established residential neighborhoods, Highlands Elementary draws families who appreciate a solid, well-rounded elementary experience without the intensity of some of the Peninsula's more cutthroat school communities. Math and science scores trend particularly strong here, making it a natural fit for families in the Bay Area tech world who want their kids building those foundations early. San Mateo itself strikes a nice balance — close enough to San Francisco and Silicon Valley for commuters, but with a quieter, more grounded feel that suits the elementary school years well.