Crestmoor Information

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February 14, 2025 -- The San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees heard a report last night at its regular Board Meeting detailing the closing of the purchase and sale agreement for the sale of the Crestmoor School Site to SummerHill Homes LLC. 

The sale of the property closed on February 6, 2025 for the total purchase price of $86,552,000. The District was represented by DCG Strategies and Lozano Smith in the sale of the property. 

The 40-acre property, located at 300 Piedmont Avenue in San Bruno, once housed Crestmoor High School which was closed as a comprehensive high school in 1980 due to declining enrollment. The Crestmoor Property was then used to house the District’s continuation school, Peninsula High School. The SMUHSD Board of Trustees expressed their desire to relocate Peninsula High in new state-of-the-art facilities, closer to jobs, internships and public transit. In December 2017, the Board unanimously approved a site at 860 Hinckley Road in Burlingame for construction of the new Peninsula High School.

The SMUHSD Board voted unanimously on December 9, 2021 to enter into a purchase agreement with SummerHill Homes for the sale of the Crestmoor Property. 

SummerHill Homes is a privately owned home builder focusing on the unique housing needs of the Bay Area. SummerHill’s experience in San Bruno includes having obtained the entitlements to develop the Marisol, Merimont, and Skyline Ridge communities consisting of 225 single family homes over the last 20 years. SummerHill successfully navigated the entitlement process for the Crestmoor Property with the City of San Bruno, resulting in the City’s approval for 155 new homes to be built on the property.  Following the closing on the Crestmoor Property with SummerHill, SummerHill sold the property to Toll Brothers for the actual development of the homes. Toll Brothers is a well respected, national home builder, with whom the District and SummerHill coordinated efforts as the City’s approval of the housing project was being finalized.  

By law, proceeds from the sale of school property can only be used for facility-related investments. Proceeds cannot be used for salaries, hiring employees or instructional materials. In January and February 2024, the District conducted a comprehensive survey of all employees at the request of the SMUHSD Board to gather input on the most effective use of the proceeds from the sale. The survey results revealed strong support for a balanced approach, emphasizing both staff housing initiatives and enhancements to capital facilities throughout the District. In addition to various District-wide projects, the proceeds from the Crestmoor sale may also support the construction of a new Bridge Academy as well as the expansion of Peninsula High School.

Robert Griffin, President of the SMUHSD Board of Trustees expressed his enthusiasm  over the successful sale of the Crestmoor property, “We are thrilled to see this sale come to fruition through the dedication of two superintendents and previous and current members of our Board of Trustees. This sale generates additional housing and vital property tax revenue for the City of San Bruno and the San Bruno Park School District. The proceeds from this sale will enable the San Mateo Union High School District to explore innovative capital facility improvements that will benefit generations of students. Additionally, we are excited about the potential to create housing opportunities for our dedicated employees.”

The 40-acre property once housed Crestmoor High School which was closed as a comprehensive high school in 1980 due to declining enrollment. The Crestmoor Property was then used to house the District’s continuation school, Peninsula High School. The SMUHSD Board of Trustees expressed their desire to relocate Peninsula High in new state-of-the-art facilities, closer to jobs, internships and public transit. In December 2017, the Board unanimously approved a site at 860 Hinckley Road in Burlingame for construction of the new Peninsula High School.

Construction began in January 2020 on the new facility and was completed in 2021. The school boasts over 6,700 square feet of classroom space in addition to a science and culinary classroom. The site also includes a wellness center and outdoor sports court.

Peninsula's new central location is situated on one acre and places students closer to public transportation and job and internship opportunities. The new school is closer to comprehensive high school sites allowing students easier access to athletics and program opportunities. Construction of the new Peninsula High School was funded in part by Measure O, approved by voters in 2010. 

In March 2019, the Board voted to declare Crestmoor surplus property (resolution). The District applied for and received a waiver from the state allowing flexibility in the bidding and sale of the site. The waiver will allow the District to use “best value criteria” in selecting a buyer for the property - meaning the District is not required to take the highest bid. This allows the District to consider a developer’s construction capability, sensitivity to the surrounding neighborhood and community and support of the District’s goal of enhancing its long-term fiscal sustainability.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously on December 9, 2021 to enter into a purchase agreement with SummerHill Homes for the sale of the Crestmoor Property The District had previously been under contract to sell the property to D.R. Horton, but that developer decided not to pursue the project, and ended its agreement with the District on July 23, 2021.

SummerHill Homes is a privately owned home builder focusing on the unique housing needs of the Bay Area. Since its inception in 1976, SummerHill has been renowned for developing specialized communities in established residential settings throughout the Bay Area, including San Bruno. SummerHill’s experience in San Bruno includes developing the Marisol, Merimont, and Skyline Ridge communities consisting of 225 single family homes over the last 20 years.