Highlands Elementary School

Highlands lives off the reputation as historically being one of the better schools in the San Mateo /​Foster City district. In my experience; however, I’d say it’s a school in decline. Highlands has a basic California-​wide standard approach to teaching, one that would work in non-​tech cities like Fresno or Modesto. Because of its location, a large number of its kids come from silicon valley families and have higher expectations for learning than just a standard California education. Unfortunately this school does not adequately cater its teaching to meet the needs of this large demographic as the elite schools in the mid peninsula do (Fox, Baywood, etc).
The typical classroom at highlands consists of 2 large groups of kids with different skill sets. One group is of advanced learners and the other is of those who perform «below basic standards». There really aren’t many kids who have skills in the middle.
The school’s main principal to teaching is to «ensure all students learn the essential set of skills needed for basic life» and that «no kid is left behind». In each class, all kids are taught the same level of math. Given the class’s wide disparity in aptitude levels, this means that math is taught at a lower level and at a slower pace (one thats catered for the slower learners). Advanced kids are not challenged in class and their potential is not realized. Many of the advanced learners, (especially the boys), tend to become distractions in class, tune out of the lessons, or have low self esteem because they ‘can’t focus’. This is all due to their lack of stimulation to the unchallenging curricula being taught them.
I’ll also mention that there’s a significant bullying issue in the school (especially at the 3^rd — 5^th grade levels). The teachers and administration have never directly addressed it and, in many times, choose to ignore it. My kid has witnessed this many times first hand and I have friends who have pulled their kids out of Highlands and into private institutions primarily to get them away from the relentless bullying that they were experiencing.
The last thing I’ll mention is that the school is pretty run down as it was built sometime in the 50’s or 60’s and hasn’t been kept up much since. It is also populated over its initial capacity. The capacity issue isn’t from local kids, but from the kids bussed in from a lower-​income north of downtown neighborhood (a legacy of the 1960’s inner city bussing regulations). To handle this extra capacity, there are 2 ‘temp structures’ that have been used for years as ‘permanent’ classrooms.
If you are a parent that lives in the footprint of this school and have the means to put your kid in a private school, I’d recommend that you strongly consider that option. A common theme I’ve noticed is that many parents put their kids through private school up until 8^th grade and then send them to Aragon for high school (Borel, the middle school, doesn’t have a great reputation either).

We LOVE this school and neighborhood. Our kids have thrived every year and we have not had a teacher that we did not feel contributed to our kids development. The school has implemented programs to break kids into reading and math groups whereby they are with kids at their level, so they can be challenged also by the other kids and grow at their own pace. The parent involvement is tremendous and help makes the school so great. We highly recommend Highlands Elementary.

Wonderful School. Feel so lucky that my child has the opportunity to be a part of such a highly rated school. Amazing faculty and families round out the awsomeness.
Besides the math, reading, science, etc., they also teach very passionately the importance of «LIFESKILLS» — SEE BELOW:
LIFELONG GUIDELINES
Be Trustworthy * Be Truthful * Active Listening
No Put Downs * Personal Best
LIFESKILLS
INTEGRITY: To be honest, sincere, and of sound moral principle
INITIATIVE: To do something because it needs to be done
FLEXIBILITY: The ability to alter plans when necessary
PERSEVERANCE: To continue in spite of difficulties
ORGANIZED: To plan, arrange and implement in an orderly way
SENSE OF HUMOR: To laugh and be playful without hurting others
EFFORT: To try your hardest
COMMON SENSE: To use good judgment
PROBLEM SOLVING: To seek solutions in difficult situations
RESPONSIBILITY: To be accountable for your actions
PATIENCE: To wait calmly for someone or something
FRIENDSHIP: To make and keep a friend through mutual trust and caring
CURIOSITY: A desire to learn or know about a full range of things
COOPERATION: To work together toward a common goal (purpose)
CARING: To feel concern for others
COURAGE: To act according to one’s beliefs
PRIDE: Satisfaction from doing your personal best
RESOURCEFULNESS: Knowing about options and choosing the appropriate option to accomplish the objective
AWESOME!