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Hercules High

Q: Is Hercules High a good school?

Hercules High ranks 616 th of 2137 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

616^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,137 California High Schools

Better than 71% of California high schools

Summary

Hercules High is a grades 9–12 school in Hercules, California, with 767 students in 2024–25, in the West Contra Costa Unified area. Its 2025–26 graduation rate was 97%, compared with 89% for the district and 88% statewide. The most important finding is that Hercules ranked second among five nearby schools with comparable 2025–26 test results in all three subjects: English language arts (ELA), mathematics and science.

ELA is the school’s clearest strength, while math and science are near or just below state proficiency rates. Hercules had 71% proficiency in ELA, 36% in math and 35% in science; the state rates were 49%, 38% and 36%, respectively. Compared with the district, Hercules was ahead by 37 points in ELA, 8 in math and 11 in science. Its scores also exceeded the five-school local averages by 24 points in ELA, 9 in math and 9 in science. Middle College High was the local leader, so Hercules is among the strongest nearby schools but not the top scorer.

Results have improved overall in ELA and math since 2022–23, rising 8 points in each subject to 71% and 36%; science fell 6 points to 35%, including a 7-point drop in the latest year. SchoolDigger gives Hercules a 71st-percentile ranking and 4 stars for 2025–26, down 7 percentile points from the previous two years. Its 2024–25 student–teacher ratio was 23.7, and 42% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible that year—the lowest reported share among nearby schools reporting the same measure, whose rates ranged from 61.9% to 96.8%. SchoolDigger’s ranking for Special Education Students stands out: 90th percentile and 5 stars, up from the 52nd percentile in 2024–25, compared with the school’s overall 71st-percentile ranking.

767

Students ?

23.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

41.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

1900 Refugio Valley Rd.
Hercules, CA 94547-1554

(510) 231-1429

District: West Contra Costa Unified

Feeder schools for Hercules High:

Elementary:	Hanna Ranch Elementary
	Lupine Hills Elementary
	Ohlone Elementary
Middle:	Hercules Middle

Racial breakdown:

Asian:

43.0%

Hispanic:

26.6%

African American:

14.3%

See top rated California high schools

Compare Hercules High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 74th percentile in 2015 → 71st in 2026

Strengths

✓97% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in West Contra Costa Unified

✓Above the California median (71st percentile)

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (27% vs 18% California)

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

!Large classes — about 24 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school47%

District avg30%

California avg42%

616^th of 2,137

California public high schools ?

Top 29%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 10High Schools in the West Contra Costa Unified

689^th of 968West Contra Costa Unified 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	70.2	616 of 2137	71.2%	★★★★☆
2025	76.7	468 of 2162	78.4%	★★★★☆
2024	75.9	472 of 2159	78.1%	★★★★☆
2023	77.3	443 of 2170	79.6%	★★★★☆
2022	74.8	454 of 2123	78.6%	★★★★☆
2019	63.5	665 of 2133	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.9	685 of 2017	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	63.2	720 of 2021	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2016	69.1	593 of 2039	70.9%	★★★★☆
2015	71.4	521 of 1994	73.9%	★★★★☆
2013	40.0	1059 of 2426	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	38.7	1092 of 2354	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	36.4	1141 of 2367	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2010	37.7	1063 of 2281	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	43.8	912 of 2238	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2008	44.9	797 of 2117	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2007	46.9	723 of 2063	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	43.6	765 of 1968	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2005	48.9	610 of 1901	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2004	49.3	503 of 1653	69.6%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	51.3	207 of 491	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	73.7	104 of 523	80.1%	★★★★☆
2024	77.2	89 of 517	82.8%	★★★★☆
2023	37.5	291 of 521	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	52.0	201 of 522	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.1	220 of 592	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.7	258 of 582	55.7%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	40.0	381 of 575	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	34.7	410 of 585	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	59.2	278 of 573	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	36.5	405 of 591	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	55.3	295 of 581	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	27.2	446 of 582	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.5	417 of 581	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	41.7	543 of 1161	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	24.6	903 of 1117	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	50.1	386 of 1052	63.3%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2019	45.5	355 of 941	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	48.5	322 of 938	65.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	74.4	454 of 1865	75.7%	★★★★☆
2025	73.0	475 of 1906	75.1%	★★★★☆
2024	77.2	403 of 1915	79.0%	★★★★☆
2023	67.9	545 of 1915	71.5%	★★★★☆
2022	81.3	300 of 1858	83.9%	★★★★☆
2019	60.1	637 of 1833	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.7	626 of 1760	64.4%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	68.5	529 of 1880	71.9%	★★★★☆
2025	74.6	404 of 1900	78.7%	★★★★☆
2024	62.1	636 of 1902	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	83.3	261 of 1917	86.4%	★★★★☆
2022	64.4	534 of 1861	71.3%	★★★★☆
2019	50.6	857 of 1814	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.3	834 of 1742	52.1%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	70.8	533 of 1999	73.3%	★★★★☆
2025	86.9	209 of 2013	89.6%	★★★★☆
2024	70.3	495 of 2026	75.6%	★★★★☆
2023	64.2	604 of 2030	70.2%	★★★★☆
2022	61.0	612 of 1943	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	44.4	1062 of 1937	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	59.9	724 of 1862	61.1%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	62.7	676 of 1932	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	74.6	447 of 1942	77.0%	★★★★☆
2024	71.8	489 of 1948	74.9%	★★★★☆
2023	80.0	376 of 1963	80.8%	★★★★☆
2022	64.7	567 of 1916	70.4%	★★★★☆
2019	61.2	642 of 1880	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.5	699 of 1834	61.9%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	44.9	333 of 588	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	39.7	358 of 577	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	26.7	433 of 574	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	85.0	121 of 1235	90.2%	★★★★★
2025	42.3	606 of 1252	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.4	483 of 1216	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.9	410 of 1197	65.7%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	37.9	742 of 1132	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	41.9	737 of 1222	39.7%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2026)90th percentile+19 vs school

Female (2026)76th percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)73rd percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)72nd percentile~ school

Male (2026)65th percentile-6 vs school

English Language Learner (2019)62nd percentile-7 vs school

African American (2026)58th percentile-13 vs school

Disabled (2022)53rd percentile-25 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)43rd percentile-28 vs school

White (2026)34th percentile-37 vs school

Asian (2026)34th percentile-37 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy71%+22 vs state

Mathematics36%~ state avg

Science35%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Hercules High

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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 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
Hercules High	Public	9-12	1900 Refugio Valley Rd.	Hercules	94547	Contra Costa County	West Contra Costa Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 231-1429	767	32	23.7	41.7%	49 (6.4%)	110 (14.3%)	204 (26.6%)	330 (43.0%)	2 (0.3%)	8 (1.0%)	63 (8.2%)	70.2	616^th of 2137 public high schools	71.2%		76.7	468^th of 2162 public high schools	78.4%	148	35.8		35.1	71.0	71.0	36.0	36.0
Pinole Valley High	Public	9-12	2900 Pinole Valley Rd.	Pinole	94564	Contra Costa County	West Contra Costa Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 231-1442	1,245	50	24.7	61.8%	126 (10.1%)	181 (14.5%)	639 (51.3%)	228 (18.3%)	3 (0.2%)	4 (0.3%)	59 (4.7%)	44.3	1157^th of 2137 public high schools	45.9%		71.6	567^th of 2162 public high schools	73.8%	590	11.0		11.0	48.4	48.4	33.3	33.3
De Anza High	Public	9-12	5000 Valley View Rd.	Richmond	94803	Contra Costa County	West Contra Costa Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 231-1440	1,047	46	22.9	86.1%	70 (6.7%)	182 (17.4%)	563 (53.8%)	179 (17.1%)	2 (0.2%)	7 (0.7%)	43 (4.1%)	33.7	1409^th of 2137 public high schools	34.1%		28.9	1504^th of 2162 public high schools	30.4%	95	22.5		22.5	25.8	25.8	22.7	22.7
John Swett High	Public	9-12	1098 Pomona St.	Crockett	94525	Contra Costa County	John Swett Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 787-1088	351	19	18.5	74.1%	42 (12.0%)	51 (14.5%)	152 (43.3%)	78 (22.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (7.7%)	42.5	1209^th of 2137 public high schools	43.4%		52.2	988^th of 2162 public high schools	54.3%	221	27.4		27.6	50.0	50.0	16.7	16.7	$36,466	$35,346	$1,120
Willow High	Public	9-12	1098 Pomona St.	Crockett	94525	Contra Costa County	John Swett Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 787-1088	26	1	22.8	69.2%	4 (15.4%)	4 (15.4%)	13 (50.0%)	1 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (7.7%)								(n/a)								$27,260	$27,012	$248
Aspire Richmond Ca. College Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter	6-12	3040 Hilltop Mall Rd.	Richmond	94606	Alameda County	Aspire Richmond Ca. College Preparatory Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 684-8900	590	24	24.5	85.3%	8 (1.4%)	54 (9.2%)	434 (73.6%)	40 (6.8%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.5%)	49 (8.3%)								(n/a)
Summit Public School: Tamalpais	Public, Charter	7-12	3020 Hilltop Mall Rd.	Richmond	94806	Contra Costa County	Summit Public School: Tamalpais District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 374-4185	629	25	24.8	78.2%	16 (2.5%)	43 (6.8%)	491 (78.1%)	56 (8.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	20 (3.2%)								(n/a)
Making Waves Academy	Public, Charter	5-12	4123 Lakeside Dr.	Richmond	94806	Contra Costa County	Making Waves Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 262-1511	1,078	56	19.1	79.9%	15 (1.4%)	73 (6.8%)	944 (87.6%)	42 (3.9%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)								(n/a)
Middle College High	Public	9-12	2600 Mission Bell Dr.	San Pablo	94806	Contra Costa County	West Contra Costa Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 215-3881	294	10	30.6	65.0%	17 (5.8%)	29 (9.9%)	147 (50.0%)	84 (28.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	15 (5.1%)	92.4	146^th of 2137 public high schools	93.2%		96.7	63^rd of 2162 public high schools	97.1%	83	58.6		58.6	84.1	84.1	55.7	55.7
Summit Public School K2	Public, Charter	7-12	1800 Elm St.	El Cerrito	94530	Contra Costa County	Summit Public School K2 District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 374-4093	554	25	22.1	81.9%	12 (2.2%)	74 (13.4%)	418 (75.5%)	24 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.7%)	21 (3.8%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Hercules High

What district is Hercules High in?

West Contra Costa Unified

Is Hercules High a good school?

Hercules High ranks 616^th of 2137 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into Hercules High?

Hercules High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Hanna Ranch Elementary
Elementary : Lupine Hills Elementary
Elementary : Ohlone Elementary
Middle : Hercules Middle

What is the racial makeup of Hercules High?

Students at Hercules High are 43% Asian, 27% Hispanic, 14% African American, 8% Two or more races, 6% White, 1% Pacific Islander.

How many students attend Hercules High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 767 students attended Hercules High.

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Latest California data All new data »

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

2024–25 attendance dataMar 13, 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.