Highlands Elementary School

2320 Newport Street

School District

San Mateo-Foster City
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

public

School Map for San Mateo-Foster City School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 17, 2023

I enrolled my soon to be Fourth grader in Highlands this year (22-23 school year) with such high hopes. Only to be let down beyond comprehension. I should have taken head early on when a family member read these very reviews. Or when the teacher made his political views/judgements known at Back2School Night. Much less, our first parent teacher conference, I mentioned some issues with forgetfulness on my child’s behalf exasperated by Covid closures. To be told to see a pediatrician.. It is now April and not only is his education detrimentally lacking like a nightmare continuation of Covid, he’s also never felt so down about himself after the bullying that is allowed, if not at this point- encouraged by two adults-Principal & Teacher tag team. In the year 2023 a happy, confident little boy was bullied to no end at his seat within a group of 4 for months on end. On multiple occasions he was allowed to sit crying at his desk with his down to not even be checked on by “Teacher”. After enduring day after day and many weeks of pain/shame/embarrassment, my sons spirit so broken, he tried to reason w/the bully. To be told to “GO KILL YOUR(him)SELF!” To No surprise, I never received a call, email- anything (however, I was informed via email my child doodles in his planner too much) I just had to lose sleep wondering why my child’s mood/attitude/behavior had changed so much. Is “hanging out w/the wrong crowd” a thing in todays 4th grade? Is it something at home? Until he broke down in my arms, using phrases never said before such as “my life is Miserable” “Please don’t make me go back there!” Felt great forcing my baby to go back and be tortured. Along w/all of that, he has also fallen ill, chronically at one point, this year. I went directly to Principal Betti. Only to be shut down, down-played and reminded that we are new here this year- all while not in an office setting but in attendance office with an audience. I was rushed and shushed as well. I have since gone to the district. Guidelines set for my sons return to school ignored and retaliation attendance letters being sent home after Dr.s note was provided. This teacher never Once reached out to me to address concerns, let alone acknowledge any wrong doing. Bully student has received zero discipline, moreover the help she needs. My issues have since been validated by other parents as I'm finally not afraid to speak up anymore. I am at a complete and total loss…
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2021

My kids have attended this school over the past few years. This school has many positives, but some significant negatives.Positives include: great teachers (mostly), a caring principal, a nice location, a well-run after Annex school program that supports and manages homework hour, a lovely garden for kids/teachers to use, a nice PTA with active parents and dedicated people, and pretty nice facilities that are well maintained by the school district. The office staff is friendly and very nice. They also are very supportive and responsive in helping parents navigate if their child has any type of 504 plan. Very positive and consistent practices are followed at this school.Negatives include: some exclusivity from the surrounding community make this school difficult and political, Highlands is a nice community overall, but there are some very bad apples in the bunch. There is an atmosphere of lack of inclusion at times due to the Highlands community wanting to make the school a Highlands-only institution vs. a school that is diverse with other kids from the district. The rec center charges more $$ for non-Highlands residents for after school care. Non-Highlands residents have to wait to register after all of the Highlands residents have registered at a much lower rate. This creates an automatic inequity between the Highlands and non-Highlands residents. Unfortunately, this inequity prevents certain circles of kids from being able to socialize with others, creating a bit of a clicky environment that bleeds into the school sometimes. The school could do a better job of trying to integrate kids who live both in and out of the Highlands and create more of a sense of inclusion and diversity. The Highlands Rec and community could also do a better job of recognizing inclusive values as important and perhaps change some of their practices and policies to be more inclusive.Overall, we had a positive experience, but there were some very negative experiences too stemming from both the school and community dynamic at this school. We also have had some spotty years depending on the teachers we had. Some were great and others were terrible at communicating to parents. Also, working parents are not really heard at this school and their needs are not always considered. I would mostly recommend for the academics, but the social dynamic is a bit underwhelming at this school. I would think twice about attending this school.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2020

We have been sending our kids to highlands for the past 3 years. The kids love it here and the teachers and compassionate and effective. Loving it!
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2018

Highland has exceeded our expectations - great school, great staff, strong leadership.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2017

I pulled our DS out after kindergarten. Put him in private school instead. Even though it cost me a lot of money - it was worth it. Why? Too many kids get bussed in from other parts of San Mateo. Why am I even living in this neighborhood - paying this huge property tax? I am sorry, the two groups don't mix - socially, financially, academically.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2017

We became very unhappy with the school and how they treated our kid and we moved him to a private school which we feel has been much better than highlands (a night and day difference)
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2016

The teachers are professional and caring, supported by well trained staff and a strong parent teacher association (PTA). The student body is respectful and take advantage of the programs supported by the PTA. Parents are committed and volunteer regularly to enhance the students' education. One of my kids graduated and attended Highlands from K to 5th grade. He loved all his teachers and have great memories. My daughter still attends Highlands and her experience has been wonderful.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2015

Our child has been going to the highlands elementary since Kindergarten, We have had the range of mediocre teachers to the best in the school at the time. So that varies within any school. What I can say is that when we started at Highlands The school was rated 10 for reading and tested for the state of California. Highlands is now at a 7, so as to those posting the school is currently in a decline. They are correct. Mrs Micha ( I believe that is the correct spelling) while she was there, she maintained that 10 rating every year she was the principal. That has changed under the leadership in place now and the direction of the SMFC school district. I do not know which has more influence. The change has definitely been noticeable. I do not have personal experience with Mrs Gomez in regards to how she treats her children differently than any other students. Our children deserve the very best, with the current leadership we have been shortchanged in relation to having the verybest was Mrs Micha, That is why sh went to the Baywood School, Which by the way at this time has a 9 for their rating, Which is not a ten, But is significantly better than we are getting, at highlands Now.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2014

We have been so impressed with Highlands Elementary School and the fantastic education our children are receiving. The teachers are extremely dedicated, and we have found them to be fair, approachable and truly passionate about teaching. The principal empowers the teachers and students, and the schools focuses not only on academics, but also life skills. The school also gives the children opportunities to work on individual projects, team projects, public speaking and writing, which are skills they will need later in life. The parent community is helpful and involved with things like fundraising, the book fair, the walk-a-jog, the garden and teacher appreciation events. The Highlands is a very special community, and most children walk or ride their bikes to school. The school community is welcoming and nurtures young children while getting them ready to move on to middle school. We feel very fortunate to have our children at such a wonderful elementary school.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

The principal Heather Gomez is fabulous. She has fantastic management skills as well as the school version of bedside manner. I have yet to encounter a teacher I feel is below top notch. I have 2 children and have been nothing but happy with the Highlands community.
Submitted by other on September 13, 2013

My school seems to shine with happy energy when I approach on Bunker Hill Dr. As the school has grown and new buildings have come in, the usage of space seems well thought-out, with plenty of space for kids' recesses and activities, as well as safety preserved. There is emphasis on reading with book fairs several times a year as well as trips to the library. The adults associated with the school, whether volunteers or paid aids, remain concerned about sustaining the quality of the education, as well as preservation of a cleaned and repaired facility.When I hear that kids get to go to Highlands School, I am confident that their public education will be a great opportunity for each individual child.