Our Community

The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) serves the communities of San Mateo, Burlingame, Foster City, Hillsborough, Millbrae, and San Bruno in the heart of the Bay Area’s Peninsula. The SMUHSD, since its inception in 1902, has helped 132,000 teens walk the momentous stage of graduation, leaving these young people prepared for college and career. Through six comprehensive high schools, a credit recovery school, a middle college program, and an adult school, the SMUHSD serves approximately 9,000 students and the SMUHSD grows in enrollment every year.

Our Students

Our students come from all walks of life, backgrounds and abilities, and the SMUHSD ensures all receive the best possible education. We do this by treating the whole student – from emotional wellness to academic achievement – and ensuring that each student has the options, classes, guidance and overall support needed to have a fulfilling four year high school experience. We achieve the highest standard of education and care for our students through employing high caliber teachers who are passionate about education, administrative team members who are true leaders, and a highly professional “behind the scenes” support team staff that ensures the smooth operation of all of our schools.

Our accomplished record of ensuring an excellent education for our community’s teens is in no small part due to our extended District family of dedicated parents who care deeply for all of our students, city agencies and non-profits who are invested in making sure our community’s teens receive a top notch education, and business partners who are committed to ensuring our students have the resources they need to afford college.

Our Mission

And all of these team and community members guided by our shared purpose of providing an excellent education for a better future. Our shared purpose serves to keep each and every one of the District team members focused on why we exist – to ensure that every student – no matter where they are from, what language they speak, their level of abilities, how much resources they have or even if they have a home – are treated with dignity and respect, and that each student receives equal treatment and an equal chance at receiving an excellent education for an opportunity to live a bright future.