| School Name | Address | Phone | Grades | County | Type | District Name |
| Highlands Elementary School | 2320 Newport Street
San Mateo, CA 94402 | (650) 312-7544 | K-5 | San Mateo | public | San Mateo-Foster City |
| Students Getting Free Lunch | Year |
| 21% | 2009 |
| Date | Who | Comments |
| 4/16/2010 | other | It has a great staff and an active and devoted PTA, along with eager students. |
| 7/6/2007 | parent | Our son started kindergarten at the Highlands last fall and we've been pretty impressed, not just by the entire staff there but the curriculum as well, since day one. There is a great group of dedicated teachers and support staff whose personal and professional mission is to provide a great place for learning academics and 'lifeskills' in inspiring and fun ways. I've seen their efforts go beyond their 8-hr work day to prep for their classes, parent-teacher conferences, etc. The principal is quite an inspiration to everyone and parents like me. Parent commitment to supporting the teachers and kids is phenomenal - not just through the PTA. Some local schools have significant CST/API scores, etc. and are not as culturally diverse as the Highlands. Highlands is an academic jewel that reflects both. |
| 4/15/2007 | parent | Our daughter is in kindergarten this year. We have found that, overall, the school is wonderful, with a great curriculum, exceptional parent involvement and warm, caring teachers who instill not only academics, but just as importantly, life skills both in and out of the classroom. The Principal is excellent and hands-on and we feel there really is a sense of community to this school. We are quite impressed with the level of parent dedication to their children's success as well as to their school experience. There are many varied programs and activities that encourage student participation and foster a love of learning. We are extremely pleased to be a part of this school. |
| 1/11/2007 | parent | We think that Highland School is wonderful and works to not only educate their students in basic skills, but works to instill compassion and citizenship in their students. We love the school. But we wish that the teachers' salaries were more competitive to those of surrounding districts since we have seen this school lose some very valued, experienced teachers on staff. |
| 9/18/2006 | parent | Excellent school, with plenty of parental involvement. Since the school is situated in a small neighborhood, it also fosters a great sense of community - the 'It Takes a Village' idea. Kids from this school going on to the local middle schools can be identified by their teachers right away - sincere, hardworking, with an eagerness to learn. Could always be better - as can everything else of course, but all things considered - academics, teachers, parents, principal, overall quality of development - it would take a good deal to find a better school overall. One of our kids just went to Gr 6 in Borel, and the younger one is now in Gr 4, and both have been very happy. |
| 4/10/2006 | parent | Highlands is an excellent school. My children love it and the staff take pride in what they do |
| 8/15/2005 | parent | The teachers at highlands are excellent and the school curriculum is great. My daughter loved school there and she was also getting a quality education in a safe, productive school environment. |
| 8/15/2005 | parent | Both of my two children attend Highlands Elementary School and we feel it has high quality of academic programs. We especially are impressed with the dedication and sensitivity of the principal and the teachers. |
| 6/12/2005 | parent | All of the parents provide support throughout the school. It seems to be a strong school solid. Lots of high achievers. |
| 3/29/2005 | parent | This is a great school - both my kids go here. The Principal is fabulous, parent involvement is really high, the kids are well-behaved, and the teachers are, for the most part, very good. They offer the standard elementary curriculum, with music offered once or twice a month, and weekly in the 5th grade. The facilites are very nice, lots of space. All classes go on lots of field trips, always with parent volunteers in attendance. The school scores pretty well on standardized tests. The gifted program is via differentiated instruction, as opposed to pull-out programs. They have classes for visually-impaired students, and some bilingual teachers (Spanish, Japanese). |
| 3/16/2005 | parent | This school is the best thing ever . everyone is so cooperative . |
| 11/3/2004 | parent | My daughter is in her third year at this school. The Integrated Thematic Instruction and individualized attention to students' learning styles really works. You can see evidence of this in the classrooms and on the playground. The teachers and administrators seem to appreciate each other and the students, which shows in every aspect of the school. It is evident when you cruise the halls that there is much pride in the school and respect between staff, students, and parents. The education my daughter is receiving is challenging, motivating and encourages higher order thinking. We feel incredibly fortunate to be associated with this school. |
| 8/24/2004 | parent | My daughter learned so much in the Kindergarten class. She was always encouraged to work hard and now she loves to read and is advanced for her age. |
| 9/15/2003 | parent | Great school. All of my children started their education there and moved on to Borel and eventually off to Stanford. |
