Schools in San Mateo, CA

“My son attended Challenge School for a year between the age of 2.5 and 3.5 and we had the most wonderful experience. I highly recommend it without qualification to anyone looking for care for their child, and particularly if you're looking for a Mandarin-immersion environment.

The school provides a balance of structure and play, while having care and warmth be at the center of everything they do. As a result, our son flourished in the time he had at Challenge. If it weren't for the lottery system for public schools in San Mateo, we would have had him stay another year. We are sad to be leaving in August but leave with gratitude to all of the teachers and staff.”

“We love this preschool! There are amazing teachers here who are so loving, kind, creative and truly care about your children. There are activities for kids such as art projects, sensory tables, puzzles, legos, play doh and they have every awesome toy you can think of. Teachers come up with really fun story times everday. Each child gets to do show and tell once a week- they all really look forward to this. Familles can choose to co-op or not- we love having that option and the flexibility the schedule offers. Great outdoor space for kids to free play and explore. Highly recommend this preschool.”

“We have been going to K&T since our daughter has been in Kindergarten. We love that our child was safely picked up from school with other children from Highlands and they would offer academic support . The headmaster teacher Judy has been helping us develop our children academically and socially . They go above and beyond and always ensure that our children is never hungry and are happy. They have a philosophy that instills balance of work and play. The teachers here are great and both kids are happy to come here . During the summer they have “camp” as well . It’s great to send the kids here during the summer because they do some academics and also they play - so when school starts again the kids don’t have brain fog or forget everything . I highly recommend this center .”

“We couldn’t be happier with our experience here. The staff is incredibly kind, patient, and attentive they truly treat every child like their own. From the very beginning, we felt welcomed and supported as parents. The daily activities are fun and educational, and our child has learned so much in such a short time both socially and academically. If you’re looking for a daycare that combines structure, learning, and genuine care this is it. As well as Miss Lourdes she does an amazing job as the director we appreciate her help. We’re so grateful to be part of this community!”

“Our daughter attended Welcome Amigos during her elementary school years between the ages of 5 and 9. The immersive environment was both fun and challenging for her, and she has fond memories of her time there. We appreciated the encouragement that our daughter received to participate in various activities, songs, and games. It allowed her to feel comfortable and grew her confidence in speaking and interacting in another language. After leaving Welcome Amigos, she continued to want to learn more Spanish and took three years of Spanish in middle school. She is now in high school and thriving - she tested into Spanish 3 as a Freshman. She credits her love of the language to her time at Welcome Amigos. She believes that the school not only taught her the very basics of the language, but the immersive nature piqued her interest in continuing to learn. It also allowed her to speak today with a very convincing accent. We highly recommend Welcome Amigos!”

“We have spent the last 8 years at Papillon with two children and have loved our time there! The curriculum is fun and interesting, the food is delicious and nutritious, the teachers and administration are loving and want to provide a fun, safe and clean learning environment. Both of our kids have thrived at Papillon and we cannot recommend it more! 5 stars!”

“This is basically an ode to Megan Pham, who has been my trainer for about 8 months now. I joined SMAC because I was in a lot of pain due to horrible posture coupled with my scoliosis. I had no experience in gyms past cardio machines and honestly didn't know how to exercise outside of team sports. Megan has transformed my body. My back hurts less, I stand straighter, and I'm nicely toned to boot. Most importantly, I have a much better relationship to exercise due to her encouragement, knowledge, and pure passion for what she does. Megan is so good at her job that I encouraged my mom to start training with her too. We are very different in age, body type, and fitness goals, but my mom loves her too. When it comes to the facilities, I'm a gym novice so I can't compare too much. However, the facilities are clean and I rarely have to wait long for a machine. Only one guest has ever spoken to me. He was hitting on me in a way I didn't like, but when I told Megan about it later she told me that if anyone does anything like that and I tell a staff member, they'll kick the creep out. Every other guest has been kind and courteous, and if I need help lifting/moving something, someone always helps immediately. Almost every guest wipes down machines and equipments after use. The staff has been nothing but nice to me. Someone always welcomes me when I come in and wishes me well as I walk out. I would agree with other reviewers who state that the gym attracts an older, more refined, not as athletic crowd. I don't mind. I feel safe and no one bothers me. It's clean and quiet and I don't feel judged if I'm lifting light weights. If you're a powerlifter, SMAC probably doesn't have the vibe you're looking for, but for a casual or novice gym-goer, SMAC is perfect.”

“Really great daycare. We used to have two kids there—now the oldest has moved on to kindergarten but still enjoys stopping by from time to time to say hi to his former teachers.”

“BK San Mateo North was a wonderful presence and second home for our daughter from age 2 till TK. The teachers are loving and patient (special shoutout to Teacher Sammah and Teresa - they know how to make learning joyful and meaningful, and Kay for being the new structured educator & Director for the school). The performing arts program, with music and dance classes multiple times a week, gave her so much confidence and creativity, and having all meals and snacks provided was a lifesaver for us as working parents. She blossomed here in every way, and we will always be grateful for the warmth, care, and magic this school gave her.”

“KinderCare Bay Meadows has been an incredible experience for our family. From the moment we enrolled our son at 8 months old, we’ve been consistently impressed with the staff and teachers. Everyone is so friendly, approachable, compassionate, and responsible. I trust them with my son completely. Even teachers who don’t work directly with him know his name, which makes the environment feel welcoming and like a second home.

When our son started, he was beginning to develop stranger danger, but thanks to the nurturing atmosphere at Bay Meadows, he has become much more comfortable around new people. He’s learned so many valuable skills, from eating with cutlery and washing his hands to blowing kisses and cleaning up. Every day, he high-fives his favorite teachers before heading home, and he’s made some wonderful friendships.

The daycare has also been a great partner in introducing him to new foods and activities, things we might not have tried at home. As first-time parents, we’ve learned so much from their support and guidance. While I’ve sometimes struggled with the idea of daycare versus staying at home, the benefits of his experience at Bay Meadows are undeniable. The socialization, learning, experimentation, friendship, and love he receives here are things I could never replicate on my own. It’s been a truly wonderful experience for all of us! Thank you.”