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Acalanes High School

Lafayette, CA 94549

Phone: (925) 280-3970
Fax: (925) 280-3971
District: Acalanes Union High

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public • Grades 9,10,11,12 • 1256 students

Acalanes High School, a public school located in Lafayette, CA, serves grades 9-12 in the Acalanes Union High School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Acalanes High School is a public school located in Lafayette, CA. 1256 students attend Acalanes High School.

School Ratings

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	10/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education.
College Readiness	10/10	The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using 2019 SAT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using 2019 Average ACT score data from California Department of Education, using 2019 ACT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from California Department of Education, using 2025 Percent of students who meet UC/CSU entrance requirements data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 demographic data from California Department of Education.

Posted: May 28, 2026

As Tkthirst's dad I feel that this school let him drum on the desks pretty well. it's a shame he got detention

Posted: May 28, 2026

Posted: March 14, 2024

My daughter has been a student for two years. Based on almost any metric, it is one of the best high schools in the state, period. Top graduates from this school are attending the finest universities in the Country. It was recently recognized as a California Distinguished School. The fact that Great Schools rates it a 9/10, instead of a 10/10 because of an equity score tells you more about them than the school.

Posted: March 14, 2024

Posted: November 6, 2023

My daughter has attended two years at this school and I would say that we are extremely lucky to live in this community. My daughter has an IEP and I just wanted her to attend a school where she could feel supported to achieve her best. When looking at the numbers for this school one would think that there is a great deal of pressure to "keep the scores up" and this would be pervasive in the culture and classroom environment. However, we have found teachers have been able to keep the classroom environment balanced. The drama program is run by a great teacher and the students that participate in this program are supportive and diverse. There was another review that mentioned the $$ and the cars in the parking lot. Yes there is some of that pressure but luckily the parking lot is relatively small, my daughters friends do not seemed to be fazed by it and if anything we are benefiting from the resources those families bring to the school.

Posted: November 6, 2023

Posted: March 18, 2023

We just moved here so this is based only on our sons first year, but he really loves this school. Hes gone from tolerating school and doing just what he needs to get by to enjoying it and challenging himself. He is excited about the subjects hes learning and says at least once a week that his teachers are really excellent. He has made some really kind friends who have also inspired him to take chances academically. The school was extremely proactive with setting up an IEP meeting and willing to provide necessary accommodations. I should qualify that by saying we didnt request anything costly or difficult to provide, so that may have contributed to our positive experience. We havent been with the school for an entire year yet, so our opinions could change, but we feel very lucky to be at Acalanes.

Posted: June 28, 2022

School is extremely over-rated. Its mainly all white rich kids that drive to school in brand new cars and wear $$$ clothes. If youre not white youre going to struggle to fit in. Teachers arent exceptional. The school itself is falling apart.

Posted: June 28, 2022

Posted: May 24, 2022

Disappointed by the faculty at this school.

This school wants straight A students that walk the line. Independent thinkers with a lot of energy will be tracked out.

HESITANT TO SAY MORE FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION.

Posted: May 24, 2022

Posted: June 29, 2020

Class of 1978. Went on to graduate from USC in Cinema Production. I had a very good experience at this school in academics, athletics and extra curriculars.

Posted: April 27, 2020

This school is nothing special. Some arrogant and bad teachers, focused on ranking, not on students - overrated.

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: January 12, 2019

Excellent, my child felt welcomed from the beginning. For a child with a disability we found this to be better than the other high school in the district even though this is not our home high school. Glad we fought to be in this school.

Posted: January 12, 2019

They try to limit the amount sent home which is good.

Posted: January 12, 2019

I have a disabled child for whom a little support helps and the teachers are very in touch with my child and inspiring

Posted: January 12, 2019

Great principal and associate principals. They effectively communicate with parents and students

Posted: January 12, 2019

They could do a better job but is starting to use restorative justice

Posted: August 17, 2014

Acalanes, class of 1951. Great faculty, administration, and support staff. I lettered in tennis and B basketball. after Acalanes I enrolled at Cal Berkeley. I could have been better prepared for university academics, but overall the experience was a good one. I took public speaking as part of the English requirement, which was a very practical way to study English, but the highbrow English at UC left me cold, and I had trouble coping. I have a 5-year-old granddaughter living in the Acalanes District who I hope to see enter Acalanes in 2021 or hereabouts - if I live that long. I may be partial, since my father was the district superintendent.

Posted: June 5, 2013

Going to a UC was a piece of cake with all the preparation Acalanes gave me in writing skills, problem solving, and critical thinking. Mrs. Challacombe and Mrs. Dunston are amazing teachers!

Reviews provided by GreatSchools^™

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Acalanes High School

Lafayette, CA 94549

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