I graduated from Serra over 30 years ago. I appreciated the smaller classes and the teachings in morality even though I'm not Catholic. They don't try to convert you to be one, but there are requirements to take religion classes. I do remember that even the science classes had a hint of God's handiwork being taught in them which made a profound impression on me. The number of AP classes was quite limited back then (only about 4) compared to some of the top teared schools. I appreciate the fact that they have a requirement to participate in community service volunteering. I think that is helpful to have priviledged kids give back to the community. They didn't have a Calculus class back then, even though Dick Phelan tried to teach 6 of us at lunch it was beyond him. I had to take calculus during my senior year at CSM. Because it is an all-boys school means that there is a lot less machismo around in every day life. No use trying to strut your stuff to impress the girls. I found it to be a lot less cliquey than when I was at a public middle school (Ralston). No alpha males trying to put freshmen in lockers. If you acted up or was a bully you were back in the public school. I've been back in recent years to participate in the career days where we can talk to the boys about what life is like on the other side. What I'm very impressed with is how respectful and polite all the boys are, as opposed to the thugs you may find in public schools. The fact that parents have to shell out $22k to send their sons there mean that there are not going to be academic slackers there, which help to create a better learning environment overall. read more

Send your son here if you want him to turn into a jerk. These boys are a menace on the roads every morning and are incredibly rude. The parents are not much better...one of them tried to run me off the road. read more

The school lost its faith base. Catholic morals are encouraged but not taught in depth. Favours the athletes and lots of bullying goes unnoticed. read more

The school is not what it used to be. I got a good education there in the 70s, but these days they appear to be pissing away millions in remodeling the facility in an apparent effort to compete with other Catholic High Schools in the Bay Area. Granted some modernizing was needed, but the focus appears to be more on ostentation rather than practicality. They could use that money to improve their value--at $22,500 per year, even though I have been successful in my life, I would never spend it at Serra. They invest a lot of time and energy into their sports program--something better spent on curriculum. read more

Better than most public schools in academia. No girls. All boys. Ugh. Tends to favor the jocks as the announcements were focused on what the athletes were doing over the scholars. Isn't this school? Heh. Somewhat rigid dress code. Some very strict people there, especially the dean back in the day when I attended. read more

Junipero Serra High is an all boys Catholic High School named after Father Serra who founded California's Missions. Once Father Serra is canonized it'll be interesting to see if Serra High becomes St. Serra. Tuition runs $18k and they accept around 250 students each year. If you excel in sports or academics or attend one of the Catholic K-8th schools it'll increase your chances of getting in. Sports stars Bonds and Brady are alumni. The school got a lot of press over "skirt gate" in Spring of 2014 with six students getting kicked out. Hopefully things will settle down and they'll use it as a teaching moment on how to raise boys into gentle men. The only other all boy's schools in the SF Bay Area are Riordan in SF, De La Salle in Concord (East Bay) and Bellarmine (San Jose). For those of you with daughters, the all girls counter part to Serra is Mercy and Notre Dame High Schools. read more

Serra High School - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I graduated Serra last year and had a somewhat bad time at the school. Teachers were average and the lunch tasted like my little brother had made it. It was very safe but I always got "pantsed" when I was in the hallways. I enjoyed the classroom experience but my little brother had a horrible time in English 3-4 taught by Mr. Hoyt. He stated, "I learned nothing." The administration is great and the athletic facilities are awesome. Although some teachers look a little weird, I thought they were alright, especially Mr T. he was the goat. But Mr H had a funky beard when my brother was there. Some of the kids in his class looked abnormal and the classroom stunk. All my other classes were decently good. read more

Great for sports program, and does promote a faith based strong community, but academics is sub-par. Way too many students end up taking remedial courses in college, a clear indicator that academics is not the priority. The public schools in San Mateo are superior, as proven by acceptance rates at top tier schools. read more

It's more like a 3.5/5 Yes, this was my high school alma mater. Yes, I went to an all-boys Catholic school. Yada yada. This school favors its sports programs, although there is quite a bit of emphasis on its academics. I did have some amazing teachers here. Mr. Stark was my favorite. There are plenty of clubs a student here can join. Diversity, in my opinion, was lacking here as most students were Caucasian. Although I never belonged to a specific clique and drifted from clique to clique, I was able to find some niches I was comfortable in. Douches were a plenty as you can expect from a "rich boy" school. While they were busy yucking it up at lunch, I was busy picking their trash up for financial assistance. Whatever, I got a good education. So, all in all, thriving depends on what a student wants to get out of this school. read more

A safe place to send your kid to learn ethics. However, the academics are mediocre and public's schools have more options, more qualified teachers, and more opportunities. Our son did not even have an option for a science class in his senior year. Serra works hard at making sure grades are good for the school's benefit, not necessarily your son's. They place students in easy classes to insure good grades rather than what would best benefit them academically. The graduating class tends to go to lowered teer colleges. Serra tends to hire their own alumni rather than seek out the best teachers and although this reinforces the Serra culture it is academically myopic and not the best practice for any organization. Top universities rarely do this for a good reason. It has been a safe place to educate our son, but he's ill prepared for college with Serra's limited academic options.. I would not make this choice again. read more

I have been taking Kundalini Yoga here for 8 years. I go on Wednesday nights and love it. Very reasonably priced and the teacher is wonderful. Everyone goes at their own pace, with their eyes closed! I love the singing, chanting, meditating and breathing. Physically and spiritually, it's been a big benefit to me. I always feel better afterwards. The class is held in the big multipurpose room so it can be a bit on the cold side but I always bring my mat and red coat. (P.S. This school is actually in Richmond, CA) read more

This is a good school.Both my boys graduated from Serra.They don't put up with any guff from the kids and call your house if your boys don't show up for school.This school actually cares about every kid and wants to see them do well.Its easy to talk talk crap about a school if you never went to it.You ask most Serra alumni about the overall experience at the school and it's positive.Most of the graduating seniors go on to a good university or college. read more

The place to go if your son loves sports. They consistently produce great athletes.

My son was accepted to both Serra and St. Francis! We were so excited to have a choice although his first choice was Serra as his cousins had gone there before him and had such a spectacular experience. My nephew had prepared us for the stiff competition, and as we had heard it had not changed despite the economy (Catholics of all economic levels have always sacrificed themselves for a good Catholic school education) . It was very difficult to wait for the letter and go through the shadow and open house dates all the while. Going to Serra's first open house was so very impressive! First, the gym is absolutely huge and it was lined wall to wall with every club one could imagine! Not at all the "JOCK" crowd I was told I would encounter. If these were all jocks then croquet is actually a sport! Yes of course there were many sports oriented clubs, but they were far outweighed by all of the others such as drama, robotics, programming, big brother, ministry, and dozens more. My son was drawn to the football club and was so impressed by Patrick Walsh and Dean Ayoob. Both were inspiring and motivating to talk to. Mr. Vogel and Mrs. Robbins were very helpful to talk to when entering our application. My son was coming from a public school and was a virtual unknown to them. I truly appreciated their help. I read the other postings about the school and all I can think is that they sound scorned. The one that did not receive the financial aid simply has no clue how many people ask for a free ride. I myself had at least a dozen friends who applied at ND, St. Francis, Serra and Mercy and were denied. Clearly judging a school on their inability to help yet one more person is ridiculous! Be grateful that St. Francis felt that your son fit their quota. I believe that there are many people who truly need help and there are 3x's that who just thought they'd ask. Again, you asked and at least one school said yes. Rasta was expelled and in that case everything that he says would be hard to believe. Again, we are so excited! My nephews did well there and did extremely well later as a result of their incredible education, and my son is so very happy to get the same opportunity! read more

I had 2 boys graduating from Serra, '08 and '11. Neither one did any sports or joined any clubs. They both were happy at Serra, did great academically and went on to Santa Clara University's School of Engineering. We had no drug problems, no bullying because the school is to some degree strict. They were well prepared for college and life. They never complained about being in an all boys school, it cut down on the drama and stress of having to deal with girls, they have a sister at home... And dress code? Helloooo, polos or school t-shirts, any kind of pants or shorts just not the baggy type that hangs to the knees. A few times a year they had to dress up for mass, dockers, dress shirt and shoes, tie. My kids made lots of friends who they are still in contact with. This is in my opinion the best high school for boys in this area. And I wish I could send my daughter there. read more

I have two sons who graduated from Serra in 2009 and 2013. Neither is a "jock", although my younger son did participate in athletics. They both did extremely well academically and got into their first choice schools (UCSB and Cal Poly SLO). The sense of community is fantastic and the students have a strong sense of "brotherhood". The counseling staff is wonderful (no need to waste money on a college consultant) and their fine arts programs are every bit as good as their athletic ones even though the fine arts don't get as much press. I love the fact that Serra also welcomes students with learning differences even though my sons did not need those services. This is a great place for students and their families. Is it perfect? No, but I think that Serra provides an amazing experience for boys who want to take advantage of all that it has to offer. read more

Both my sons graduated from Serra (2008 and 2010). My eldest son wanted to go there because of the athletics. He was a 3 sport athlete. I as a parent was much more interested in the academics and after attending the open house was sold. Serra pushed him academically while he was stoked on the sports and he ended up attending Cal. Today he keeps closely in touch with many of his Serra teammates who are the foundation of his social life. My younger son was also a 3 sport athlete, intelligent, but inclined to barely slide by. He wanted to go to the local public high school with all of his friends. After experiencing Serra for 2 years. I knew that the discipline there was what my younger son needed. They kept him in line (and he begrudgingly admitted he did not hate it). He graduated from UC Davis and again still his closest friends are Serra alumni who were his sports teammates. Basically the school gave both of them a good foundation, good friends, and prepared them to be accepted to top universities, As a parent, what more could you want? read more

My sophomore son attends Serra High School and is having a great experience. He is excelling in both academics and sports. The reason we picked Serra was for their outstanding academics and a higher AP pass rate than their San Francisco rivals. In fact we are sending our second son there next year. read more

my son was accepted into both serra and st. francis high school this year. after speaking with the director of finance at serra he made the decision about which school to choose VERY EASY for us; he lacks the sense of understanding and compassion. his tone was rather sarcastic coupled with his condescending demeanor. i was left feeling truly perplexed! needless to say, we chose st. francis and couldn't be happier thus far. just spoke to their finance person and the interaction was like NIGHT and DAY (thank you mr. nessan)! i share this story because it was a clear indication that if the 'administration staff' interacts with parents in this manner, i can only imagine what it must be like for the students. read more