Photo: Stacey Baca · CC BY-SA 3.0Lafayette’s public schools outscore 98% of California districts
74% of students in Lafayette’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Lafayette, 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.
Lafayette’s schools, in brief
Lafayette runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
M. H. Stanley Middle (6–8) is Lafayette’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Acalanes Union High School District with Moraga, Orinda, Richmond and Walnut Creek: Acalanes High. The high school’s own results earn an A+, the highest on the path. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 82% and math 74% 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 Lafayette Elementary $18,618, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bentley School (private), The Meher Schools (private), St. Perpetua School (private), Contra Costa Jewish Day School (private), Diablo Valley Montessori School (private) and The Springstone School (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 Lafayette’s grade
A+: better than 98% of California school districts, #6 of 847 California towns. 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 Lafayette, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Lafayette
M. H. Stanley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,117 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Lafayette
M. H. Stanley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,117 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lafayette
M. H. Stanley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,117 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lafayette
Acalanes High
Grades 9–12 · 1,256 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lafayette
Acalanes High
Grades 9–12 · 1,256 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lafayette
Acalanes High
Grades 9–12 · 1,256 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lafayette
Acalanes High
Grades 9–12 · 1,256 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Lafayette runs its own schools through grade 8 (Lafayette Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Acalanes Union High School District, shared with Moraga, Orinda, Richmond and Walnut Creek. Parts of Lafayette (3% of its land) are served by Orinda Union Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Lafayette
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
Lafayette vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Lafayette’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | A+ | Lafayette Elementary K–8 · Acalanes Union High 9–12 |
| Moraga | A+ | Moraga Elementary K–8 · Acalanes Union High 9–12 |
| Orinda | A+ | Orinda Union 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 |
All 3 neighbors share Acalanes Union High with Lafayette for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Lafayette
13 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 Lafayette’s schools
Are Lafayette’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Lafayette children attend outscore 98% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #6 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 94%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lafayette in?
Two districts: Lafayette Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Acalanes Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Moraga, Orinda, Richmond and Walnut Creek.
Where do Lafayette kids go to high school?
Acalanes High, with 1,256 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Lafayette’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 Lafayette spend per student?
$20,081 in Acalanes Union High School District and $18,618 in Lafayette Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lafayette?
Yes: Bentley School (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 634 students), The Meher Schools (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 308 students), St. Perpetua School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 268 students), Contra Costa Jewish Day School (religious, grades K–8, 172 students), Diablo Valley Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 141 students) and The Springstone School (special education, grades 6–12, 42 students).
Parents talk
What Lafayette families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lafayette → 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.