Photo: Utilizer · CC BY-SA 3.0Walnut Creek’s public schools outscore 72% of California districts
On the state math tests, 41% of Walnut Creek’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Walnut Creek, 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 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.
Walnut Creek’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 418 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Walnut Creek’s, its schools beat 63%, lower than their 72% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
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 ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Contra Costa School of Performing Arts, Eagle Peak Montessori, Berean Christian High School (private), Contra Costa Christian Schools (private), St. Mary Elementary School (private), Kla Schools of Walnut Creek (private), Sonder Creek Academy (private), WCPC Preschool (private), Noble Learning Academy LLC (private), My Spanish Village (private) and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes 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.
What’s behind Walnut Creek’s grade
B+: better than 72% of California school districts, #225 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Walnut Creek, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Walnut Creek · depends on your address
Foothill Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,005 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Walnut Creek Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 940 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Walnut Creek · depends on your address
Foothill Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,005 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Walnut Creek Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 940 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Walnut Creek · depends on your address
Foothill Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,005 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Walnut Creek Intermediate
Grades 6–8 · 940 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Walnut Creek · depends on your address
Las Lomas High
Grades 9–12 · 1,577 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Northgate High
Grades 9–12 · 1,546 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Walnut Creek · depends on your address
Las Lomas High
Grades 9–12 · 1,577 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Northgate High
Grades 9–12 · 1,546 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Walnut Creek · depends on your address
Las Lomas High
Grades 9–12 · 1,577 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Northgate High
Grades 9–12 · 1,546 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Walnut Creek · depends on your address
Las Lomas High
Grades 9–12 · 1,577 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Northgate High
Grades 9–12 · 1,546 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Parts of Walnut Creek (2% of its land) are served by San Ramon Valley Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Walnut Creek
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Walnut Creek vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Walnut Creek’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek | B+ | Walnut Creek Elementary K–8 · Mount Diablo Unified K–12 · Acalanes Union High 9–12 |
| Pleasant Hill | B | Mount Diablo Unified |
| Concord | B | Mount Diablo Unified |
| Lafayette | A+ | Lafayette Elementary K–8 · Acalanes Union High 9–12 |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Mount Diablo Unified with Walnut Creek for grades K–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Walnut Creek
22 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 Walnut Creek’s schools
Are Walnut Creek’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Walnut Creek children attend outscore 72% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #225 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 63%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Walnut Creek in?
Acalanes Union High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 5,401 students in 5 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Walnut Creek are served by San Ramon Valley Unified.
Where do Walnut Creek kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Las Lomas High and Northgate High.
What is Walnut Creek’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Mount Diablo Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Walnut Creek spend per student?
$20,081 in Acalanes Union High School District, $15,370 in Walnut Creek Elementary School District and $16,629 in Mount Diablo Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Walnut Creek?
Yes: Berean Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 380 students), Contra Costa Christian Schools (religious, grades PK–12, 375 students), St. Mary Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 330 students), Kla Schools of Walnut Creek (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 119 students), Sonder Creek Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 102 students), WCPC Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 86 students), Noble Learning Academy LLC (nonsectarian, grades 6–8, 41 students), My Spanish Village (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 40 students) and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes Walnut Creek (nonsectarian, grades 2–6, 4 students). Walnut Creek also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Walnut Creek families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Walnut Creek → 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.