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Acalanes Center for Independent Study

Q: Is Acalanes Center for Independent Study a good school?

Acalanes Center for Independent Study ranks 760 th of 2135 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

760^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,135 California High Schools

Better than 64% of California high schools

Summary

Acalanes Center for Independent Study is a 61-student, grades 9–12 high school in Walnut Creek, part of the Acalanes Union High district. Its most urgent concern is chronic absenteeism: in 2025–26, 73% of students were chronically absent, compared with 18% statewide and 12% in the district; only nearby Prospect High (Continuation) was higher, at 96%.

ELA is the school’s academic bright spot relative to nearby schools, while math and especially science lag. In 2025–26, 68% of students met or exceeded the ELA standard—about the 68% average at nearby schools, and above the state’s 49%, but below the district’s 82%. Math proficiency was 28%, versus a 53% nearby-school average, 38% statewide, and 66% in the district. Science was weaker still: 18%, compared with 51% at nearby schools, 36% statewide, and 66% in the district. Among the ten schools compared, Acalanes Center ranked seventh in ELA, eighth in math, and ninth in science.

Results have shifted over time: from 2022–23 to 2025–26, ELA fell from 77% to 68%, math stayed nearly level at 29% and 28%, and science dropped from 36% to 18%. SchoolDigger ranks the school 760th of 2,137 statewide, at the 64th percentile with three stars; its overall percentile has varied, from 95 in 2017–18 to 56 in 2024–25 before reaching 64. Its 2024–25 student–teacher ratio was 9.5, the lowest among nearby schools, and 16% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible that year. Graduation was 85% in 2025–26, below the state’s 88% and the district’s 98%, while the dropout rate was 0%. SchoolDigger’s statewide subgroup rankings—a comparison of how well schools serve each group—place Special Education Students at the 86th percentile, above the school’s overall 64th, and White Students at the 34th percentile, below overall. With 61 students, results may be sensitive to small numbers of tested students.

Students ?

9.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

16.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

1963 Tice Valley Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94595-2201

(925) 280-3945

District: Acalanes Union High

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.9%

Hispanic:

18.0%

Asian:

11.5%

See top rated California high schools

Compare Acalanes Center for Independent Study to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 84th percentile in 2012 → 64th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the California median (64th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (73% vs 18% California)

!Ranking has slipped — down 20 percentile points since 2012

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school43%

District avg71%

California avg42%

760^th of 2,135

California public high schools ?

Top 36%▲ up 41 pts since 2016

From bottom 23% (2016) to top 36% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 5High Schools in the Acalanes Union High

119^th of 1,530Acalanes Union High among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	62.6	760 of 2135	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.0	947 of 2162	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	70.7	556 of 2159	74.2%	★★★★☆
2023	78.1	432 of 2170	80.1%	★★★★☆
2022	82.4	322 of 2123	84.8%	★★★★☆
2018	94.0	108 of 2017	94.6%	★★★★★
2016	17.3	1562 of 2039	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	48.4	1012 of 1994	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2013	42.0	1011 of 2426	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	66.7	377 of 2354	84.0%	★★★★☆
2011	47.9	847 of 2367	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	79.4	143 of 2281	93.7%	★★★★★
2009	63.4	376 of 2238	83.2%	★★★★☆
2008	43.4	834 of 2117	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	66.9	318 of 2063	84.6%	★★★★☆
2006	4.5	1820 of 1968	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	5.2	1761 of 1901	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	65.1	622 of 1864	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	42.9	1049 of 1906	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	49.0	916 of 1915	52.2%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	88.0	232 of 1948	88.1%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	77.8	172 of 1235	86.1%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	37.3	749 of 1130	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	17.4	970 of 1155	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	54.8	529 of 1173	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	86.1	125 of 1173	89.3%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2024)88th percentile+14 vs school

Special Education (2026)86th percentile+22 vs school

Female (2026)67th percentile~ school

White (2026)34th percentile-31 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy68%+19 vs state

Mathematics28%-10 vs state

Science18%-18 vs state

★

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Schools Near Acalanes Center for Independent Study

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CAST Science (2026)				Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)		Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 10th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Acalanes Center for Independent Study	Public	9-12	1963 Tice Valley Blvd.	Walnut Creek	94595	Contra Costa County	Acalanes Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 280-3945	61	6	9.5	16.4%	39 (63.9%)	1 (1.6%)	11 (18.0%)	7 (11.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.9%)	62.6	760^th of 2135 public high schools	64.4%		54	947^th of 2162 public high schools	56.2%	187			18.2	18.2	68.0	68.0	28.0	28.0
Las Lomas High	Public	9-12	1460 South Main St.	Walnut Creek	94596	Contra Costa County	Acalanes Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 280-3920	1,577	81	19.4	15.4%	806 (51.1%)	45 (2.9%)	268 (17.0%)	271 (17.2%)	5 (0.3%)	6 (0.4%)	174 (11.0%)	83.9	319^th of 2135 public high schools	85.1%		90.9	183^rd of 2162 public high schools	91.5%	136		52.0		51.7	67.0	67.0	50.8	50.8
Acalanes High	Public	9-12	1200 Pleasant Hill Rd.	Lafayette	94549	Contra Costa County	Acalanes Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 280-3970	1,256	64	19.5	7.3%	787 (62.7%)	19 (1.5%)	150 (11.9%)	152 (12.1%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	134 (10.7%)	94.4	111^th of 2135 public high schools	94.8%		95.1	93^rd of 2162 public high schools	95.7%	18		61.8	16.7	60.1	85.2	85.2	70.3	70.3
Campolindo High	Public	9-12	300 Moraga Rd.	Moraga	94556	Contra Costa County	Acalanes Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 280-3950	1,340	68	19.7	5.4%	758 (56.6%)	10 (0.7%)	124 (9.3%)	244 (18.2%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.3%)	196 (14.6%)	97.8	32^nd of 2135 public high schools	98.5%		96.8	60^th of 2162 public high schools	97.2%	28		77.5		76.5	88.4	88.4	76.7	76.7
Contra Costa County Regional Occupational Program	Public	9-12	77 Santa Barbara Rd.	Pleasant Hill	94523	Contra Costa County	Contra Costa County Regional Occupational Program	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(925) 942-3368	0			—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Prospect High (Continuation)	Public	9-12	One Santa Barbara Rd.	Pleasant Hill	94523	Contra Costa County	Mt. Diablo Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 682-8000	60	6	10.4	66.7%	13 (21.7%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (68.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.7%)	5 (8.3%)	10.7	1906^th of 2135 public high schools	10.7%		23.9	1618^th of 2162 public high schools	25.2%	288				0.0	0.0	0.0	9.1	9.1	$974	$974	$00
Northgate High	Public	9-12	425 Castle Rock Rd.	Walnut Creek	94598	Contra Costa County	Mt. Diablo Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 938-0900	1,546	67	23.1	22.4%	709 (45.9%)	23 (1.5%)	256 (16.6%)	258 (16.7%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.5%)	287 (18.6%)	91.9	164^th of 2135 public high schools	92.3%		89.5	207^th of 2162 public high schools	90.4%	43		54.6		54.2	82.9	82.9	61.1	61.1	$581	$344	$237
Miramonte High	Public	9-12	750 Moraga Way	Orinda	94563	Contra Costa County	Acalanes Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 280-3930	1,167	61	18.9	4.6%	648 (55.5%)	13 (1.1%)	104 (8.9%)	251 (21.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	145 (12.4%)	98.5	20^th of 2135 public high schools	99.1%		98.4	29^th of 2162 public high schools	98.7%	9		83.5		83.4	94.0	94.0	72.4	72.4
Ygnacio Valley High	Public	9-12	755 Oak Grove Rd.	Concord	94518	Contra Costa County	Mt. Diablo Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 685-8414	1,059	56	18.9	81.5%	52 (4.9%)	34 (3.2%)	827 (78.1%)	85 (8.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (0.8%)	51 (4.8%)	32.1	1444^th of 2135 public high schools	32.4%		24	1613^th of 2162 public high schools	25.4%	169		20.8		21.3	37.4	37.4	17.3	17.3	$1,221	$462	$759
San Ramon Valley High	Public	9-12	501 Danville Blvd.	Danville	94526	Contra Costa County	San Ramon Valley Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 552-3000	2,036	90	22.7	5.7%	1,284 (63.1%)	17 (0.8%)	241 (11.8%)	288 (14.1%)	3 (0.1%)	3 (0.1%)	200 (9.8%)	87.9	244^th of 2135 public high schools	88.6%		93.3	138^th of 2162 public high schools	93.6%	106	46.2		52.7	49.3	76.6	76.6	52.0	52.0	$19,205	$18,768	$437

Frequently Asked Questions about Acalanes Center for Independent Study

Is Acalanes Center for Independent Study a good school?

Acalanes Center for Independent Study ranks 760^th of 2135 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Acalanes Center for Independent Study?

Students at Acalanes Center for Independent Study are 64% White, 18% Hispanic, 11% Asian, 5% Two or more races, 2% African American.

What district is Acalanes Center for Independent Study in?

Acalanes Union High

How many students attend Acalanes Center for Independent Study?

In the 2024-25 school year, 61 students attended Acalanes Center for Independent Study.

Rate Acalanes Center for Independent Study!

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Latest California data All new data »

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNewOct 15, 2026

2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresNewOct 15, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.