About San Mateo-Foster City School District
Zip code 94401 in San Mateo, California is served by San Mateo-Foster City School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades 9th – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of San Mateo-Foster City School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
San Mateo-Foster City School District reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $14,000 per year, placing it 15% below the California state average of approximately $16,500 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 20 schools, San Mateo-Foster City School District operates as a large district serving students from 9th – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 11,000 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
San Mateo-Foster City School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 9/10, placing it in the top-tier tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because California is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
San Mateo-Foster City School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in California on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 94401 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 94401
Children in zip code 94401 are assigned to San Mateo-Foster City School District for public school enrollment, covering grades 9th – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 94401, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact San Mateo-Foster City School District at (650)558-2299 or visit www.smuhsd.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — California districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in San Mateo
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because San Mateo-Foster City School District serves zip code 94401, homes in and around zip code 94401 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In California, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support San Mateo-Foster City School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 94401.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with San Mateo-Foster City School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 94401 data.