Best Public Schools in Concord, CA

Concord, California is served by 27 public schools across four districts, educating approximately 14,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with the majority belonging to the Mt. Diablo Unified district.

Academic performance varies widely, with Clayton Valley Charter High standing out as the top performer, boasting strong test scores, a 95.8% graduation rate, and remarkably low chronic absenteeism. Among elementary schools, Monte Gardens Elementary ranks highest, while Pine Hollow Middle is the leading middle school. In contrast, schools like Meadow Homes Elementary, El Dorado Middle, and Olympic High face significant challenges, with much lower rankings and proficiency rates.

Key findings show that charter schools like Clayton Valley and Rocketship Futuro Academy often outperform traditional schools, and there is a strong link between high chronic absenteeism and lower academic outcomes. Middle schools appear to be a particular challenge area, and per-student spending varies dramatically, especially in very small alternative schools that serve specialized populations.