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Hercules High

Q: Is Hercules High a good school?

Hercules High ranks 468 th of 2162 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

468^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,162 California High Schools

Better than 78% of California high schools

Summary

Hercules High is a public high school serving about 770 students in grades 9-12 within the West Contra Costa Unified district, standing out as a consistently high-performing neighborhood school in the top quarter of all California high schools.

The school excels academically compared to most district peers, with proficiency rates in English, math, and science that are significantly higher than the West Contra Costa Unified average and at or above the state average. It also boasts a strong 95% graduation rate and a very low dropout rate. Notably, Hercules High achieves these excellent results with a per-student spending level that is much lower than many nearby charter schools like John Swett High and Making Waves Academy, demonstrating remarkable efficiency. While the specialized Middle College High outperforms it, Hercules High's success as a comprehensive school serving all local students is impressive.

Areas for potential growth include mathematics, where proficiency, though solid, is lower than in English, and in supporting its highest-performing students. The school has shown a strong and steady improvement trajectory over the past decade and is particularly effective in supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Overall, Hercules High is a standout success within its district, providing a high-quality and equitable education that reliably prepares students for life after graduation.

767

Students ?

23.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

41.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

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

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At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 56th percentile in 2013 → 78th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (49% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 22% of California high schools

✓95% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

Worth a look

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

!Large classes — about 24 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school49%

District avg28%

California avg41%

468^th of 2,162

California public high schools ?

Top 22%▲ up 4 pts since 2015

From top 26% (2015) to top 22% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 8High Schools in the West Contra Costa Unified

1110^th of 1,543West 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)90th percentile+11 vs school

African American (2025)80th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)79th percentile~ school

Male (2025)77th percentile~ school

Female (2025)75th percentile-3 vs school

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

Disabled (2022)53rd percentile-25 vs school

Special Education (2025)52nd percentile-27 vs school

White (2019)40th percentile-29 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)38th percentile-40 vs school

Asian (2025)30th percentile-48 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy65%+16 vs state

Science42%+9 vs state

Mathematics39%~ 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 (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)					Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)						Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)						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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	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%)	76.7	468^th of 2162 public high schools	78.4%		75.9	472^nd of 2159 public high schools	78.1%	4			41.8		42.1					64.5	64.5					38.8	38.8
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%)	71.6	567^th of 2162 public high schools	73.8%		57.9	818^th of 2159 public high schools	62.1%	251										58.0	58.0					38.4	38.4
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%)	28.9	1504^th of 2162 public high schools	30.4%		22.1	1646^th of 2159 public high schools	23.8%	142			15.2		15.2					37.0	37.0					12.3	12.3
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%)	52.2	988^th of 2162 public high schools	54.3%		55.9	857^th of 2159 public high schools	60.3%	131			27.5		25.3					52.8	52.8					23.3	23.3	$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%)	42.8	1192^nd of 2162 public high schools	44.9%		39.1	1262^nd of 2159 public high schools	41.5%	70		12.0	20.9		15.7		26.9	24.0	25.3	52.2	30.6		21.5	21.1	6.7	16.4	16.6
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%)	39.8	1263^rd of 2162 public high schools	41.6%		46.5	1086^th of 2159 public high schools	49.7%	177		17.4		27.5	22.0			27.0	32.7	37.1	32.1			24.8	13.6	6.4	15.3
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%)	69.1	618^th of 2162 public high schools	71.4%		70.4	561^st of 2159 public high schools	74.0%	57	30.2	23.5	48.2		32.9	42.5	37.8	52.7	36.8	67.9	47.2	28.6	21.8	38.0	25.8	19.6	27.4
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%)	96.7	63^rd of 2162 public high schools	97.1%		97.2	63^rd of 2159 public high schools	97.1%				62.3		62.3					94.2	94.2					59.4	59.4
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%)	61.3	787^th of 2162 public high schools	63.6%		53.9	907^th of 2159 public high schools	58.0%	120		6.3	43.4		22.7			17.1	18.2	60.0	31.0			20.0	8.5	16.5	14.5

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 468^th of 2162 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 »

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataMar 13, 2026

2024–25 CSA Spanish test scoresDec 22, 2025

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 14, 2025

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.