Schools in Acalanes Union High · Contra Costa County

Richmond, Concord, Antioch, and San Ramon anchor a county that stretches from the urban East Bay shoreline to the suburban foothills — and where school quality varies considerably across that geography. The strongest performers cluster in the western hills communities: Wagner Ranch Elementary in Orinda scores at the 100th percentile statewide, and Miramonte High, also in Orinda, sits at the 99th. With 244 ranked public schools across 20 districts and 85 institutions landing in the top quartile statewide, there's genuine depth here. Families willing to look beyond the main population centers — particularly toward Orinda and Lafayette — will find some of California's most competitive public schools.