2023 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Contra Costa County

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  714 reviews

Alum: Love how DV prepares you for the rigor of college! It can be very challenging and competitive at times, however. Dougherty has some amazing teachers who are willing to help you not only with academics but also help you understand your future plans. Being involved in activities on campus from clubs, sports, and organizations will provide a meaningful and enriching experience.... Read 714 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 31

• Acalanes Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  227 reviews

Senior: Miramonte is a great school with many resources to offer students. The academic courses can be rigorous, but the teachers are all there to help you out. The teachers care about their jobs and are passionate, which contributes to their overall success in academics. Athletics are also great! There are lots of good opportunities to improve and everyone builds each other up.... Read 227 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 31

• Acalanes Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  287 reviews

Senior: I am currently a senior at Campolindo (class of 22) and, for the most part, I’ve enjoyed my time here! Some of my favorite parts of high school have been: -stellar teachers (especially Mark Roberts and Jake Donohoe) -great sports programs -challenging but rewarding classes that are good preparation for college -absolutely incredible performing arts programs! the annual musical is one of the best aspects of the school and something I have thoroughly enjoyed -for the most part, students are kind and accepting As with everything, I do have my criticisms of the school. -the political culture here is EXTREMELY toxic. everyone is expected (and borderline forced) to fall in line with far-left radical beliefs especially surrounding CRT. The school preaches “diversity and inclusion” but mainly talks in circles instead of saying anything of substance. If you want to be exposed to a diversity of beliefs and values, this is not the school for you. Campolindo is a great, but flawed, school.... Read 287 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 30

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  297 reviews

Senior: I absolutely love my school, Monte Vista High School. Though I did not originally attend school in the same school district, my transition into high school was very smooth and I immediately felt like I fit in. Since I knew literally NO ONE when I first stepped onto the campus (except my brother), I made a big effort to make friends even though I was rather introverted. Students and teachers would reciprocate friendly actions and I was met with kindness. Teachers at Monte Vista are incredibly good at their jobs - especially the science teachers. AP Chemistry and Physics have been my absolute favorite classes. The teachers for those classes were able to push my brain to the absolute limit and I feel like I grew as a person in their classrooms. I began to spend more time on my learning because I realized that I was truly interested in the subjects I was being taught. I sincerely love Monte Vista for its robust academics, welcoming community, and unshakable pride. Go Mustangs!... Read 297 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 30

• Acalanes Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  198 reviews

Senior: Acalanes has very good resources and opportunities. If you want to push yourself, you can. And I am confident that I am prepared for college level classes and I've taken about 1 AP each year. At the same time, if you want a lighter workload, you can do that too. It's all about the classes you choose to take and the teachers you get. I would say that stress at Acalanes is an big issue. Everyone - even people who don't care a lot about school - is stressed out. It can get overwhelming. However, teachers and admin are trying to make that better. There's just a lot of pressure to go to a "good" college and get a "good" job - mostly, I think from the parents and kids. As well, Acalanes isn't a very diverse place. It lacks diversity of background, race, etc. but also of thought. It's too easy for some ideas to get shot down. But, in all, Acalanes is actually a very good school. Teachers care, kids care, parents really care (maybe a little too much). There's a lot of support.... Read 198 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 30

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  626 reviews

Senior: Great diversity, academics, faculty, and campus. The Bay Area is very diverse and Cal High reflects this diversity. Clubs at California High School are high achieving and extremely well developed. There are many teachers who have impacted my academic life and furthered my enthusiasm for and love of learning. The campus is relatively clean and feels safe. The facilities are very accommodating and useful. However, the counseling department, especially college counseling department, could be improved. There are also a few teachers who are very unpopular amongst students–for good reason. The library at this school is one of my favorite facilities, with extremely helpful staff and great resources. The book selection is wide and extensive and the computer usage is extremely helpful. All in all, California High School has a diverse student body, has strong school spirit, strong academics and sports, has great programs, and is a great school!... Read 626 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 30

• Acalanes Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  277 reviews

Junior: The teachers and admin are genuinely kind, patient, and helpful! They go above and beyond to ensure every student feels welcomed, supported, and encouraged. Their dedication to helping students achieve their full potential is admirable! Secondly, the academic rigor + emphasis on learning are truly impressive, and the community service opportunities available to students are second to none; I appreciate how much the school values community involvement + encourages students to give back! Additionally, I want to highlight the diversity and multiculturalism at LL! I appreciate how the school celebrates and embraces differences and promotes an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and respected! Finally, the abundance of extracurricular activities at LL is remarkable, from DEI/affinity organizations to sports teams to debate clubs! LL provides students with many opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and make lasting friendships!... Read 277 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 29

• Mt. Diablo Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  246 reviews

Alum: As an alumni of the class of 1977, who was in the second graduating class and spent a year at Ignacio valley High School as a freshman. My experience at Northgate prepared me for college throughoutstanding individual teachers and curriculum that exceeded the norms. Very proud to graduated from Northgate and the education helped me in my college years as well as the sports program (tennis) help me compete at the NCAA division 1 level through scholarship. Classes were varied classes were interesting and challenging. We had a wonderful group of positive Forward thinking teachers and administration was solid. Graduates from this class and others have gone on to lead exemplary lives and influence both nationally and globally. Northgate was inclusive and challenging, with many graduates going on to the UC system schools and including UCLA and Cal Berkeley. I would rate my experience at this school as outstanding.... Read 246 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 29

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  365 reviews

Junior: I am so grateful to go to school at SRVHS. The culture is amazing, I have never had a teacher here that I believe wants me to fail or doesn't care about me. Additionally, there are a wide variety of options open to students from extracurriculars to academic classes. Finally, as a Leadership student, there are so many fun and interactive activities that unite the campus and make the environment enjoyable.... Read 365 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• West Contra Costa Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  183 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, I love it! The academic rigor is a great challenge for me, but it can get a little too much sometimes. I wish that there were less graduation requirements (or they were less rigid, i.e a specific chem class cannot be substituted for another), but other than that my experience is pretty positive.... Read 183 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1160

• Average ACT 27

• Liberty Union High School District (Brentwood), CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  560 reviews

Senior: Heritage does a good job at creating a welcoming environment for it's students. Unfortunately, some of the teachers are too rude to students and can bring on many anxiety attacks for students with anxiety. You always have the first two weeks to switch out of a class, but personally I feel like it's not enough. Some of my worst teachers made themselves look good in those first 2 weeks and then tormented me for the rest of the year. Go with your gut--if there's a teacher who doesn't seem right to you, switch out while you can! For the most part, however, Heritage has a lot of good teachers who genuinely want to make a good learning experience for you. We also need more college readiness classes. The only one that helps the most is a hidden class that nobody knows about--PUSH. If you don't get into PUSH, you'll need to do a lot of research on your own.... Read 560 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1200

• Average ACT 27

• West Contra Costa Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  297 reviews

Senior: El Cerrito High is an amazingly diverse school full of students from all backgrounds. Similar to the student population, the teachers cover a wide spectrum of ability. At this school, I have experienced both the best and worst teachers I believe I will ever have. While El Cerrito High's bathrooms are a mess and its school spirit is lacking, it has many notable redeeming qualities. Many people that I know chose to attend this school because of its excellent band program. The band at El Cerrito has won multitudes of awards and has been able to go on many trips around the world to perform at places such as Disneyland, Carnegie Hall, and even locations in Europe. El Cerrito High also has some amazing clubs that are dedicated to a wide variety of purposes, such as tutoring other students struggling in math, helping the community or the environment, and getting students involved in sports. Despite its flaws, there is a lot to love about this school.... Read 297 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Average SAT 1220

• Average ACT 28

• Concord, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  188 reviews

Senior: My experience at CV was one of the best! I loved every second I got to have there and every memory that came with the school. Each year I was challenged academically to push myself to do more. It made me realize how much I can do and see how far hard work can go. The teachers do their best in making sure every student gets the chance to get a good grade and learn. The teachers are some of the best parts of the school. Getting to go to my classes I knew I would always get the opportunity to learn. I had the privilege of getting a great education at Clayton Valley, and now have the confidence of going to college.... Read 188 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1220

• Average ACT 27

• Mt. Diablo Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  345 reviews

Senior: College park is an excellent school, yet sometimes lacking in Administrative competence. The teachers are mostly excellent, with some outliers pulling the mean down. Overall, in my four years I have enjoyed attending College Park High School!... Read 345 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Average SAT 1240

• Average ACT 27

• Antioch Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  323 reviews

Senior: This school gives you a fundamental background to what medical school will be like, making it an ideal place for future health professionals. The teachers care for their students and with the small classrooms, it is easy to build a positive relationship with each of your teachers. Additionally, this school will prepare for college and possibly give students an advantage with the integrated projects the school does. Overall, this school does a fantastic job in preparing students for the work force and giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills they have acquired at Dozier-Libbey Medical High School!... Read 323 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Average SAT 1120

• Average ACT 24

• Martinez Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  187 reviews

Senior: I think Alhambra High School overall has been a very good experience for me. We aren't a ridiculously rich school and quite honestly are pretty average, but sometimes average is enough. We have a collection of wonderful faculty members and some not-so-wonderful. I would say the school is above average, but nothing special.... Read 187 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Average SAT 1200

• Average ACT 27

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  17 reviews

Alum: I am genuinely so grateful for my experience at Venture. Venture was perfect for someone like me, who struggled with mental health but had a sport that kept me motivated. I was able to spend the necessary time at school to check in with my teachers and plenty of time for my sport. They are flexible but genuinely care about the students. I loved all my teachers, and they wanted to know how I was doing. I was able to thrive in this environment, and I was able to understand everything asked. If I had a question, my teachers would always help. I don't know what I would've done if I hadn't transferred to venture; I was struggling so much that I couldn't attend school in person without being extremely overwhelmed and panicked. I'm now at a great university and advancing in my education, and I also had all the support I needed from the counselor at the venture.... Read 17 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Average SAT 1210

• Average ACT —

• Liberty Union High School District (Brentwood), CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  462 reviews

Senior: As a mere freshman, Liberty High School was initially just considered another school that I had to attend. Ugh! However, after my 4 years I have to say it has not only been enjoyable, but has been a fruitful and arduous time that has taught me so much in the class and outside. This year has been the exception with Covid, but with the year coming to an end soon I can not complain and am grateful for all the teachers and the school is doing to be eventful.... Read 462 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Average SAT 1150

• Average ACT 25

• Walnut Creek, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  7 reviews

Alum: I graduated from Contra Costa School of Performing Arts about a year ago and it was a pleasant school to be in. There were many opportunities given to students to perform in their major. The teachers that taught there were very passionate about their work and there were many talented people I got to work with and the whole experience was very enriching. One thing that can be improved is the academic system, it was easy for some students to fall behind easily and the school issued Chromebooks can be too restrictive to the point where finding resources for projects and general learning was rather difficult to come by. Other than that issue, I can definitely say I've enjoyed my time there.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 22

• Antioch Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.35 out of 5  520 reviews

Alum: It was a pleasurable and life-changing experience in the sense that I had the opportunity to learn about many diversity and cultures while also feeling safe in my environment. After some years many safety aspects disappeared as a new and reckless generation came in. Nonetheless, the teachers were upstanding and inspiring, counselors aimed to help guide young students into their path, and even administrators were respected and loved dearly.... Read 520 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Average SAT 1130

• Average ACT 24

• Acalanes Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  6 reviews

Senior: Independent study is definitely not for everyone and can get overwhelming if you do not stay on top of your work, but for me, it gave me freedom I never had at public school. I have a lot of health issues and have to miss a lot of school days, which is what made me switch to independent study. It was definitely the right decision for me.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Average SAT 1230

• Average ACT 29

• Mt. Diablo Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  277 reviews

Senior: My experience at Concord High was great while it lasted, since I did not have an in person senior year at school due to the Covid-19 pandemic it was fun and memorable. I loved the diversity and culture at our school and how there was so many things I learned about others whether it was about ethnic cultures, about people I knew in general, and about the schools dynamic. The staff is really caring and always want the students to do their best. I think depending on the students and how they put themselves out there being more involved in the school or not, gives different perspectives of how people experienced high school. Of course, no school is perfect so there was some small things that weren't the best but most of them wasn't the schools fault. I believe that the more you become involved with the school and what they have to offer, the experience and memories will last forever.... Read 277 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Average SAT 1140

• Average ACT 25

• West Contra Costa Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.14 out of 5  282 reviews

Senior: Overall, I have had a pretty good experience here at Hercules High School. The campus is pretty nice, and I like how open it is. I enjoy the fact that many students have the opportunity to sit down to eat lunch with their friends, while looking at the beauty of nature. Some improvements that I would personally like to see, are better resources to help seniors to prepare for college. I would like for the school to offer more college readiness programs, so students have the proper preparation needed in order to prepare themselves. Besides that, I enjoy the diverse culture at the school, and the nice people.... Read 282 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Average SAT 1140

• Average ACT 27

• John Swett Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  86 reviews

Alum: A small community where the teachers and staff become family. A place where education is heavily implied and being the best is motivated. This school has extracurricular activities to help build a student's application. The teachers work side by side with students and aid them in any help or advice that they mad need. This school is also under construction and is remodeling the area to make it look more appealing. However throughout the construction, it does not impose a distraction to a student’s learning. The diverse community also helps create a loving environment where everyone is welcomed and loved despite where they come from! A true gem in the contra costa county!... Read 86 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Average SAT 1110

• Average ACT 24

• Mt. Diablo Unified School District, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  19 reviews

Freshman: Horizons Independent Study School provides outstanding opportunities for students who (1) can't go to regular school because of other commitments (e.g., sports); (2) want to finish school faster; or (3) don't like going to regular school. Each student at Horizons gets an individual advisor who helps you through the year. Advisors are wonderful: very knowledgeable and caring! You get free help for math! Plus you can complete courses at the local community college earning college and high school credits at the same time. Love it.... Read 19 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Average SAT 1230

• Average ACT 28