Acalanes Ridge’s public schools outscore 95% of California districts
On the state math tests, 65% of Acalanes Ridge’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Acalanes Ridge, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Acalanes Ridge’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 74% and math 65% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Acalanes Union High spends $20,081 per student and Walnut Creek Elementary $15,370, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Acalanes Ridge’s grade
A+: better than 95% of California school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Acalanes Ridge, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Acalanes Ridge · depends on your address
Walnut Creek Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 940 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Walnut Creek
Tice Creek
Grades K–8 · 451 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Walnut Creek
7th grade in Acalanes Ridge · depends on your address
Walnut Creek Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 940 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Walnut Creek
Tice Creek
Grades K–8 · 451 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Walnut Creek
8th grade in Acalanes Ridge · depends on your address
Walnut Creek Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 940 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Walnut Creek
Tice Creek
Grades K–8 · 451 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Walnut Creek
Acalanes Ridge runs its own schools through grade 8 (Walnut Creek Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Acalanes Union High School District, shared with Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Richmond and Walnut Creek. Its elementary school is in Walnut Creek. Parts of Acalanes Ridge (8% of its land) are served by Lafayette Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Acalanes Ridge
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Acalanes Ridge vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Acalanes Ridge’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Acalanes Ridge | A+ | Walnut Creek Elementary K–8 · Acalanes Union High 9–12 |
| Walnut Creek | B+ | Walnut Creek Elementary K–8 · Mount Diablo Unified K–12 · Acalanes Union High 9–12 |
| Lafayette | A+ | Lafayette Elementary K–8 · Acalanes Union High 9–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Acalanes Union High with Acalanes Ridge for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Acalanes Ridge
11 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Acalanes Ridge’s schools
Are Acalanes Ridge’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Acalanes Ridge children attend outscore 95% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 92%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Acalanes Ridge in?
Two districts: Walnut Creek Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Acalanes Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Richmond and Walnut Creek.
Where do Acalanes Ridge kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Las Lomas High, Campolindo High, Acalanes High and Miramonte High.
What is Acalanes Ridge’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Acalanes Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Acalanes Ridge spend per student?
$20,081 in Acalanes Union High School District and $15,370 in Walnut Creek Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Acalanes Ridge families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Acalanes Ridge → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.