B⁺

Schools in Contra Costa Centre · Acalanes Union High School District, Walnut Creek Elementary School District

Contra Costa Centre’s public schools outscore 72% of California districts

In Contra Costa Centre, 41% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Contra Costa Centre, 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.

#225of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% 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.

Reading proficiency

51%

▲ 5 pts vs CA 47%

2021–22

Math proficiency

41%

▲ 8 pts vs CA 33%

2021–22

Graduate on time

85%

▼ 1 pts vs CA 86%

class of 2023

Spent per student

$16.6K

▼ 22% vs CA $21.2K

FY2024 · Mount Diablo Unified

Students per teacher

22.8

CA 21.6 · larger classes

Schools in town

37,320 students on the public path

In brief

Contra Costa Centre’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 51% and math 41% across its districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 85% 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 ↓

35 elementary schools, then 12 middle and nine high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Seven Hills School (private) and Fusion Academy--Walnut Creek (private) are in town. Every school ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Contra Costa Centre’s grade

B⁺ Test scoresC Graduation

B+: better than 72% of California school districts, #225 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; graduation is below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 72%

Lower resultsHigher results

California towns with similar household incomes (474)Better than 69%

A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 18,039 test results and a graduating class of 2,111 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Contra Costa Centre’s students in the tested grades sat them (18,115 in math, 17,962 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Contra Costa Centre, with each school’s own grade.

35 schools teach K in Contra Costa Centre’s district. Which one depends on your address. Their grades range from D− to A, so check the specific school.

Hidden Valley Elementary

Elementary · Grades K–5 · Martinez

B⁺

831 students27:1Rate it →

Town	Schools	Main districts
Contra Costa Centre	B⁺	Walnut Creek Elementary K–8 · Mount Diablo Unified K–12 · Acalanes Union High 9–12
Walnut Creek	B⁺	Walnut Creek Elementary K–8 · Mount Diablo Unified K–12 · Acalanes Union High 9–12
Pleasant Hill	B	Mount Diablo Unified

Contra Costa Centre’s public schools outscore 72% of California districts

Contra Costa Centre’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Spending and class size

35 elementary schools, then 12 middle and nine high schools

Choice beyond the district

What’s behind Contra Costa Centre’s grade

Where will my kid go?

Three districts serve Contra Costa Centre

Above the state in reading

Contra Costa Centre vs. its neighbors

Every school in Contra Costa Centre

Questions about Contra Costa Centre’s schools

Parents talk