Best Middle Schools in Contra Costa County, California

Part of our Best Schools in Contra Costa County guide.

Introduction

If you're a parent weighing a move to Contra Costa County and middle school quality is near the top of your checklist, you're in good company — and good luck. This part of the Bay Area is home to some of the strongest public middle schools in the entire state of California. Whether you're drawn to the master-planned neighborhoods of San Ramon, the charming hills of Orinda, or the tree-lined streets of Danville and Moraga, the schools serving these communities consistently rank in the top tier statewide.

What makes this list particularly impressive is how many schools are clustered at the very top. We're not talking about one standout school surrounded by mediocre options — nearly every school on this list ranks in the 90th percentile or higher across English, Math, and Science. For families prioritizing academics during these pivotal middle school years, Contra Costa County deserves serious attention.

1. Windemere Ranch Middle — San Ramon Valley Unified, San Ramon

Windemere Ranch Middle sits in one of San Ramon's newest and most sought-after neighborhoods, drawing families who've specifically chosen this corner of the East Bay for its schools. Ranking in the 98th percentile across English, Math, and Science, it's one of the most consistently high-performing middle schools in the county — and the consistency across all three subjects is what really sets it apart. This is a school for families who want strong academics across the board, not just in one or two areas.

The surrounding Windemere community has a close-knit, family-first feel, with parks, trails, and newer housing that attracts a lot of young families and professionals relocating from the South Bay. If you're moving to the San Ramon area and academics are a top priority, Windemere Ranch should be on your shortlist.

2. Orinda Intermediate — Orinda Union Elementary, Orinda

Orinda Intermediate earns the top English score on this entire list — a remarkable 99th percentile — and backs it up with 98th in Math and 96th in Science, landing it at an overall 98th percentile ranking. Orinda is one of those small, affluent communities that punches well above its weight in education, and this school is a big reason why families actively seek out homes within the Orinda Union Elementary district.

Orinda itself has a distinctly different character from the larger San Ramon Valley cities — it's quieter, more intimate, with a downtown that feels almost like a small town tucked into the hills just east of the Caldecott Tunnel. Families here tend to be deeply invested in their kids' education, and that culture of engagement shows up in school outcomes. If you want top-tier academics in a community that feels removed from the suburban sprawl, Orinda is worth a serious look.

3. Gale Ranch Middle — San Ramon Valley Unified, San Ramon

Gale Ranch Middle is another standout within the San Ramon Valley Unified district, ranking in the 97th percentile overall with 98th in English, 97th in Math, and 96th in Science. Located in the Gale Ranch neighborhood of San Ramon, this school serves one of the more upscale pockets of the city, and the academic results reflect a community that places a high premium on educational achievement.

San Ramon has grown rapidly over the past two decades, attracting tech and business professionals from across the Bay Area, and Gale Ranch Middle has grown alongside that community. It appeals especially to families who want strong STEM fundamentals without sacrificing strong English instruction — this is a school that does both well.

4. Joaquin Moraga Intermediate — Moraga Elementary, Moraga

Joaquin Moraga Intermediate is the crown jewel of the small, unassuming town of Moraga — and it earns its place on this list with a 97th percentile overall ranking, including an especially impressive 98th percentile in Science and 97th in English. Moraga is one of those quiet Lamorinda communities (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda) that consistently produces outstanding school outcomes, and Joaquin Moraga is no exception.

The town itself is peaceful and residential, with a strong sense of community and very little of the commercial buzz you'd find in larger East Bay cities. Families who choose Moraga tend to be looking for exactly that — a safe, tight-knit environment with excellent schools. If Science is particularly important to your student, it's hard to find a higher-scoring middle school in the county.

5. Diablo Vista Middle — San Ramon Valley Unified, Danville

Diablo Vista Middle serves the Danville area within the San Ramon Valley Unified district, ranking at the 96th percentile overall with strong scores in both English (96th) and Math (97th). Danville has long been one of the most desirable addresses in Contra Costa County — think wide streets, excellent parks, a charming downtown, and a community that takes its schools seriously.

This school will appeal to families who want the stability and resources of a large, well-funded unified district while living in a city that still feels like a genuine community rather than a suburb. Diablo Vista sits comfortably in the top tier of the county, and its Math scores in particular are among the best on this list.

Score Trends — Top 5

Nearly all of the district's top-performing schools are experiencing strong growth across both subjects. Windemere Ranch Middle improved English scores from 78 to 86 and Math from 83 to 93, demonstrating balanced progress in both areas. Orinda Intermediate is leading the charge with the highest English scores in the group—jumping from 88 to an impressive 99—while Math climbed 9 points to 82. Gale Ranch Middle shows the most dramatic improvement, with Math scores surging 22 points (from 63 to 85) and English gaining 13 points to reach 87. Even Joaquin Moraga Intermediate, which had the smallest gains at +5 in English and +13 in Math, is still moving in the right direction, though Math started from a concerningly low 47.

6. Pine Valley Middle — San Ramon Valley Unified, San Ramon

Pine Valley Middle rounds out the top half of this list with an overall 95th percentile ranking and scores of 96th in English, 95th in Math, and 95th in Science. Like its San Ramon Valley siblings, Pine Valley benefits from a district that has invested heavily in academic outcomes, and the results speak for themselves.

San Ramon offers families a lot of practical advantages — a relatively lower cost of living compared to the closer-in Bay Area cities, excellent infrastructure, and a growing job market. Pine Valley draws families who are planting roots in San Ramon for the long term and want a school that will serve their kids well through the critical middle school transition years.

7. Iron Horse Middle — San Ramon Valley Unified, San Ramon

Iron Horse Middle is another strong performer within the San Ramon Valley Unified district, ranking at the 95th percentile overall with scores of 95th in both English and Math and 94th in Science. At this level, the differences between schools on this list are relatively minor — Iron Horse is genuinely excellent by any objective measure.

What makes Iron Horse worth highlighting is its place in a district where competition is fierce and standards are high across the board. Families zoned for Iron Horse can feel confident their students are getting a rigorous academic experience, and the school fits naturally into San Ramon's broader identity as one of the most education-focused communities in the East Bay.

8. M. H. Stanley Middle — Lafayette Elementary, Lafayette

M. H. Stanley Middle in Lafayette earns an overall 92nd percentile ranking, with an especially strong 95th percentile in Math and a solid 91st in English. Lafayette is part of the beloved Lamorinda corridor, and like its neighbors Orinda and Moraga, it consistently produces strong school outcomes in a setting that feels more small-town California than typical Bay Area suburb.

Stanley Middle will appeal to families who love Lafayette's walkable downtown, excellent local parks, and strong community identity — and who want a school that reflects those values with serious academic programming. While it ranks slightly below the very top tier on this list, a 92nd percentile overall score is exceptional by any statewide standard.

9. Los Cerros Middle — San Ramon Valley Unified, Danville

Los Cerros Middle in Danville ranks at the 91st percentile overall, with scores of 90th in English, 91st in Math, and 91st in Science. It's a well-rounded school in a community that families consistently rank among their top reasons for choosing the Danville area.

For families considering Danville, Los Cerros represents a genuinely strong academic option — and given Danville's appeal as a place to live (great weather, beautiful hills, excellent amenities), it's a natural fit for families who want quality academics alongside quality of life. Being in the San Ramon Valley Unified district also means access to the same curriculum and resources as the higher-ranked schools on this list.

10. Charlotte Wood Middle — San Ramon Valley Unified, Danville

Charlotte Wood Middle rounds out our top ten with an 88th percentile overall ranking — 91st in English, 88th in Math, and 84th in Science. While it sits at the bottom of this particular list, it's worth keeping perspective: an 88th percentile overall score still means Charlotte Wood outperforms the vast majority of middle schools in California.

Danville is a city where even the lowest-ranked school on a "best schools" list is doing well in absolute terms. Charlotte Wood serves families in a corner of Danville that shares all the same community advantages — good neighborhoods, engaged parents, and the support of a well-funded unified district. For families zoned here, there's plenty to feel good about.

Score Trends — #6-10

Schools in this group show encouraging momentum, though they're starting from lower baselines and reveal where targeted support is making the biggest difference. Diablo Vista Middle and Los Cerros Middle are standouts, with Los Cerros posting a remarkable +28 gain in Math (from 19 to 47) and Charlotte Wood Middle showing the group's largest English jump at +27 points (39 to 66). Pine Valley Middle and Iron Horse Middle are making steady progress, each gaining 13 points in Math, though both started with particularly low scores in that subject. The only slight dip appears at M. H. Stanley Middle, where English dipped 3 points to 58, though Math improved by 7 points—a sign that this school may need closer attention in reading and writing support.

How We Rank Schools

Our school rankings are based on state assessment data across three subjects: English (weighted at 40%), Math (weighted at 40%), and Science (weighted at 20%). We convert raw proficiency data into percentile scores so you can see how each school performs relative to all other public schools in California. More recent years are weighted more heavily in our methodology, so the rankings reflect current performance rather than historical reputation. We believe this approach gives parents an honest, apples-to-apples comparison across schools and districts.

Compare Schools Yourself

Rankings are a great starting point, but every family's priorities are different. If you want to dig into the numbers yourself — compare two or three schools side by side, look at individual subject scores, or explore how a school has changed over time — head over to our school comparison tool at /compare. It's free, and it's built specifically for parents who want to go beyond the headline numbers.

Top 44 Rankings

Rank	School	District	City	English	Math	Overall
1	Windemere Ranch Middle	San Ramon Valley Unified	San Ramon	98	98	98
2	Orinda Intermediate	Orinda Union Elementary	Orinda	99	98	98
3	Gale Ranch Middle	San Ramon Valley Unified	San Ramon	98	97	97
4	Joaquin Moraga Intermediate	Moraga Elementary	Moraga	97	94	97
5	Diablo Vista Middle	San Ramon Valley Unified	Danville	96	97	96
6	Pine Valley Middle	San Ramon Valley Unified	San Ramon	96	95	95
7	Iron Horse Middle	San Ramon Valley Unified	San Ramon	95	95	95
8	M. H. Stanley Middle	Lafayette Elementary	Lafayette	91	95	92
9	Los Cerros Middle	San Ramon Valley Unified	Danville	90	91	91
10	Charlotte Wood Middle	San Ramon Valley Unified	Danville	91	88	88
11	Stone Valley Middle	San Ramon Valley Unified	Alamo	89	89	88
12	Foothill Middle	Mt. Diablo Unified	Walnut Creek	88	87	87
13	Diablo View Middle	Mt. Diablo Unified	Clayton	90	82	87
14	Walnut Creek Intermediate	Walnut Creek Elementary	Walnut Creek	87	87	86
15	Adams (J. Douglas) Middle	Brentwood Union Elementary	Brentwood	83	84	83
16	Sequoia Middle	Mt. Diablo Unified	Pleasant Hill	73	79	76
17	Pleasant Hill Middle	Mt. Diablo Unified	Pleasant Hill	72	73	74
18	Martinez Junior High	Martinez Unified	Martinez	73	71	72
19	Valley View Middle	Mt. Diablo Unified	Pleasant Hill	67	72	71
20	Edna Hill Middle	Brentwood Union Elementary	Brentwood	68	71	71
21	Hercules Middle	West Contra Costa Unified	Hercules	65	64	65
22	Fred T. Korematsu Middle	West Contra Costa Unified	El Cerrito	60	59	64
23	Pine Hollow Middle	Mt. Diablo Unified	Concord	59	62	63
24	William B. Bristow Middle	Brentwood Union Elementary	Brentwood	61	59	61
25	Excelsior Middle	Byron Union Elementary	Byron	53	61	58
26	Richmond Charter Academy	West Contra Costa Unified	Richmond	53	31	36
27	O'Hara Park Middle	Oakley Union Elementary	Oakley	41	23	33
28	Delta Vista Middle	Oakley Union Elementary	Oakley	30	22	30
29	Carquinez Middle	John Swett Unified	Crockett	23	19	23
30	Pinole Middle	West Contra Costa Unified	Pinole	26	26	22
31	Manzanita Middle	Contra Costa County Office of Education	Richmond	27	21	21
32	Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High	Pittsburg Unified	Pittsburg	32	13	19
33	Hillview Junior High	Pittsburg Unified	Pittsburg	19	13	19
34	Rancho Medanos Junior High	Pittsburg Unified	Pittsburg	23	13	18
35	El Dorado Middle	Mt. Diablo Unified	Concord	15	14	13
36	Dallas Ranch Middle	Antioch Unified	Antioch	18	11	13
37	Park Middle	Antioch Unified	Antioch	8	8	10
38	Black Diamond Middle	Antioch Unified	Antioch	4	7	6
39	Betty Reid Soskin Middle	West Contra Costa Unified	El Sobrante	3	5	4
40	Oak Grove Middle	Mt. Diablo Unified	Concord	5	2	3
41	Riverview Middle	Mt. Diablo Unified	Bay Point	4	3	3
42	Antioch Middle	Antioch Unified	Antioch	2	2	2
43	Helms Middle	West Contra Costa Unified	San Pablo	0	2	1
44	Lovonya DeJean Middle	West Contra Costa Unified	Richmond	0	0	0

Related Guides

• Best Schools in Contra Costa County, California
• Best Elementary Schools in Contra Costa County, California
• Best High Schools in Contra Costa County, California