San Mateo High School

This school is always clean and up to date with lots of school resources to make your kids have great and rewarding experience.

Awesome school, a lot of spirit. Everyone is eager to help. From the beginning you feel like you are a part of a big bearcat family.

In terms of facilities, SMHS is the leading school in the district with it's picturesque campus and advanced academics options.

San Mateo High School is truly a gem! From its excellent academics (Most AP Classes in the district, National Merit Scholars every year, kids getting into top colleges like Harvard, Stanford , MIT etc.), to its incredible performing arts, biotech and leadership programs, to strong athletics programs, to the huge number of clubs on campus from Mock Trial to Model UN to Jefferson Awards Club, San Mateo has something to offer to every student. My daughter, a sophomore at smhs, shadowed 8 different schools, got accepted into the 2 private schools she applied to, & instead chose to attend smhs precisely because of the above! The incredible spirit and inclusive atmosphere at San Mateo was a huge deciding factor in addition to the advanced math, history, writing, music and performing arts classes she wanted. She is taking 2 ap classes as a sophomore and is involved in pretty much everything the school has to offer from soccer, theatre, mock trial, concert choir to jefferson awards. SMHS is a TRULY SAFE campus with excellent academics, performing arts, athletics & extra curricular activities where diversity is celebrated and as a parent, I couldn't be happier with my daughter's decision!

This review by a parent echoes my sentiments...

San Mateo is a school looked down upon by many in the district but truly is an amazing place. Mostly parents look at the test scores and don't want their kids going to a school that isn't as good as others. What they don't realize is that SM has the highest AP scores in the district, the scores are just weighed down by the students that do not speak English as a first language. That shows another great point about San Mateo. We are the MOST diverse student body in the district. Students come from all social, financial, and ethnic backgrounds. This is extremely beneficial to the kids. It teaches that there are other people outside of your own group and to be more open to different races. Unlike the predominantly White and Asian backgrounds of Burlingame or Aragon, SM actually prepares the kids for who they will meet outside of high school. But what San Mateo should be recognized for is their extracurricular activities. The drama program is award winning and professional level. We have the only biotechnology program in the district with new facilities. And the leadership class is amazing! SM is top notch for student life such as a week entirely devoted to health, peace and spirit!