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Mariposa Upper Elementary Home

Who We Are

Mariposa Upper Elementary School is a welcoming community where students in grades 4 and 5 are encouraged to think critically, lead with confidence, and embrace new opportunities for learning. We provide a supportive environment that inspires curiosity, resilience, and responsibility.
 
Our dedicated educators partner with families to challenge and empower students through engaging, collaborative learning experiences that strengthen academic skills while fostering creativity, communication, and problem-solving. At Mariposa, we prepare students to become confident learners, thoughtful leaders, and compassionate members of their community.
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Colorful artworks displayed on a hallway wall, showcasing various styles and techniques.
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Upcoming Events

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News & Announcements

BONDS v Parcel Tax image

Bonds vs. Parcel Taxes: What’s the difference?

Both provide important local funding for San Carlos schools—but they support very different things.

BONDS = BUILDINGS
Bond funding, such as Measure H, supports long-term improvements to school facilities, including classrooms, roofs, windows, HVAC systems and modernization projects.

PARCEL TAXES = PEOPLE + PROGRAMS
Parcel tax funding supports ongoing educational programs and services, including teachers and academic programs that directly support students.

As we look ahead to the upcoming parcel tax renewal, we want our community to understand how local school funding works—and why these two funding sources are not interchangeable.

🎥 Watch our short video, “The Impact of Local Funding,” to learn more.
SCSD Annual Report 2026

2026 San Carlos School District Annual Report

During 2025–26, San Carlos School District students continued to outshine and outperform school districts in San Mateo County and across the state. Thanks to amazing teachers and staff, and a laser-like focus on our Strategic Plan and Board Goals — together we reached these remarkable milestones.
Welcome Back sign

Spotlight on Excellence🔦: Welcome Back to School

Each month, our Spotlight on Excellence highlights a unique aspect of what makes San Carlos schools exceptional. On August 20, we proudly shared highlights from the start of the 2026-27 school year, including summer projects, staff professional development, and welcoming students and families to campuses this week.
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Principal's Message

Welcome to Mariposa Upper Elementary! Our Mariposa mascot is the Monarch butterfly and our motto is “Together We Soar,” as we come together as a school community to support our students in connecting with their peers and growing socially and academically. 
 
The fourth and fifth grade years are such a special time of transition and growing independence. At Mariposa we strive to support each child’s developmental needs at this stage. This includes: 
- Helping students develop a sense of ownership for their learning and encouraging independence, goal setting, and a growth mindset
- Engaging students in project-based learning to deepen their collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills
- Supporting parents as partners in their child’s educational journey
 
These same student skills, mindsets and dispositions are also embedded in the Learner Profile in our newly updated SCSD Strategic Plan. The Learner Profile is our roadmap for bringing SCSD’s mission to life, and you’ll hear us talking more throughout the upcoming year about the ways in which we are leaning into this with our 4th and 5th graders. The Learner Profile states:
“SCSD learners are curious problem solvers, self-aware learners, and kind citizens. They understand that learning is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing strong interpersonal skills, taking ownership of their learning, developing the ability to adapt and reflect, and being prepared to contribute to their community and the world at large.”  
 
Beyond our goals for students as learners, our broader aim is to make every student and family at Mariposa feel valued and connected. Without that sense of belonging, we cannot accomplish any of our larger academic goals for our students. Because of this, you’ll notice events for families throughout the year to help you build connections with our campus, our staff, and with other students and families.
 
We hope you’ll take the time to connect with our Mariposa community, because TOGETHER WE SOAR!
 
Warmly,
Theresa Fox
Principal
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Our Vision

We're more than just educators—we're a community dedicated to fostering growth, learning, and success for every child. Whether you're a new family or a new member of our staff, we're thrilled to have you join us on this exciting journey!
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