The Foothill College was founded on 15th January, 1957 with a Purpose to provide access to educational opportunity for all with innovation and distinction. The College educates students from diverse backgrounds that represent the demographics of the Bay Area, with attention to underserved and underrepresented populations. It develops and acts upon a sense of responsibility to be stewards of the public good. Foothill has a long history of educating international students, and its graduates hail from many diverse corners of the world, from Tonga and Ivory Coast to Kyrgyzstan, Nepal and Latvia. The diverse international student population is from over 100 countries.

Top-ranked in the state for transfer & career programs, the college offers over 181 degree & certificate options that empower students to achieve their goals as members of the workforce, as future students, and as global citizens. It works to obtain equity in achievement of student outcomes for all California student populations, and is guided by their core values of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, transparency, forgiveness, and sustainability.

The Campus is located in the rolling hills of Los Altos Hills. IT adjoins El Monte Road and Interstate 280, the scenic Junipero Serra Freeway.