El Cerrito’s public schools score below 64% of California districts on tests and graduation
21% of students in El Cerrito’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving El Cerrito, 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 92% 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.
El Cerrito’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 437 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of El Cerrito’s, its schools beat 12%, lower than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 32% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,597 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Fred T. Korematsu Middle, then El Cerrito High. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Summit Public School K2, Invictus Academy of Richmond, Prospect Sierra School (private), St. John the Baptist (private), Golestan School (private) and East Bay Montessori (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.
What’s behind El Cerrito’s grade
C+: better than 36% of California school districts, #665 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve El Cerrito, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in El Cerrito · depends on your address
Fairmont Elementary
Grades K–6 · 537 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Harding Elementary
Grades K–6 · 481 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Madera Elementary
Grades K–6 · 457 students · 24:1 students per teacher
1st grade in El Cerrito · depends on your address
Fairmont Elementary
Grades K–6 · 537 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Harding Elementary
Grades K–6 · 481 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Madera Elementary
Grades K–6 · 457 students · 24:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in El Cerrito · depends on your address
Fairmont Elementary
Grades K–6 · 537 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Harding Elementary
Grades K–6 · 481 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Madera Elementary
Grades K–6 · 457 students · 24:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in El Cerrito · depends on your address
Fairmont Elementary
Grades K–6 · 537 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Harding Elementary
Grades K–6 · 481 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Madera Elementary
Grades K–6 · 457 students · 24:1 students per teacher
4th grade in El Cerrito · depends on your address
Fairmont Elementary
Grades K–6 · 537 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Harding Elementary
Grades K–6 · 481 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Madera Elementary
Grades K–6 · 457 students · 24:1 students per teacher
5th grade in El Cerrito · depends on your address
Fairmont Elementary
Grades K–6 · 537 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Harding Elementary
Grades K–6 · 481 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Madera Elementary
Grades K–6 · 457 students · 24:1 students per teacher
6th grade in El Cerrito · depends on your address
Fairmont Elementary
Grades K–6 · 537 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Harding Elementary
Grades K–6 · 481 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Madera Elementary
Grades K–6 · 457 students · 24:1 students per teacher
7th grade in El Cerrito
Fred T. Korematsu Middle
Grades 7–8 · 708 students · 24:1 students per teacher
8th grade in El Cerrito
Fred T. Korematsu Middle
Grades 7–8 · 708 students · 24:1 students per teacher
9th grade in El Cerrito
El Cerrito High
Grades 9–12 · 1,460 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in El Cerrito
El Cerrito High
Grades 9–12 · 1,460 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in El Cerrito
El Cerrito High
Grades 9–12 · 1,460 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in El Cerrito
El Cerrito High
Grades 9–12 · 1,460 students · 24:1 students per teacher
El Cerrito’s public schools are run by West Contra Costa Unified School District, which also serves Hercules, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
El Cerrito vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share El Cerrito’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| El Cerrito | C+ | West Contra Costa Unified |
| Richmond | C+ | West Contra Costa Unified K–12 · Acalanes Union High 9–12 |
| Albany | A | Albany City Unified |
Every school in El Cerrito
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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Cameron).
Questions about El Cerrito’s schools
Are El Cerrito’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools El Cerrito children attend score below 64% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #665 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 12%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is El Cerrito in?
West Contra Costa Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 25,133 students in 52 schools (2024–25).
Where do El Cerrito kids go to high school?
El Cerrito High, with 1,460 students.
What is El Cerrito’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in West Contra Costa Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does El Cerrito spend per student?
$21,597 in West Contra Costa Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in El Cerrito?
Yes: Prospect Sierra School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 476 students), St. John the Baptist (Catholic, grades PK–8, 170 students), Golestan School (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 87 students) and East Bay Montessori (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 68 students). El Cerrito also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What El Cerrito families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near El Cerrito → 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.