Acalanes High School

1200 Pleasant Hill Road

School District

Acalanes Union High
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Acalanes Union High School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 14, 2024

My daughter has been a student for two years. Based on almost any metric, it is one of the best high schools in the state, period. Top graduates from this school are attending the finest universities in the Country. It was recently recognized as a “California Distinguished School”. The fact that “Great Schools” rates it a 9/10, instead of a 10/10 because of an “equity” score tells you more about them than the school.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2023

My daughter has attended two years at this school and I would say that we are extremely lucky to live in this community. My daughter has an IEP and I just wanted her to attend a school where she could feel supported to achieve her best. When looking at the numbers for this school one would think that there is a great deal of pressure to "keep the scores up" and this would be pervasive in the culture and classroom environment. However, we have found teachers have been able to keep the classroom environment balanced. The drama program is run by a great teacher and the students that participate in this program are supportive and diverse. There was another review that mentioned the $ and the cars in the parking lot. Yes there is some of that pressure but luckily the parking lot is relatively small, my daughters friends do not seemed to be fazed by it and if anything we are benefiting from the resources those families bring to the school.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2023

We just moved here so this is based only on our son’s first year, but he really loves this school. He’s gone from tolerating school and doing just what he needs to get by to enjoying it and challenging himself. He is excited about the subjects he’s learning and says at least once a week that his teachers are really excellent. He has made some really kind friends who have also inspired him to take chances academically. The school was extremely proactive with setting up an IEP meeting and willing to provide necessary accommodations. I should qualify that by saying we didn’t request anything costly or difficult to provide, so that may have contributed to our positive experience. We haven’t been with the school for an entire year yet, so our opinions could change, but we feel very lucky to be at Acalanes.
Submitted by other on June 28, 2022

School is extremely over-rated. It’s mainly all white rich kids that drive to school in brand new cars and wear $$ clothes. If you’re not white you’re going to struggle to fit in. Teachers aren’t exceptional. The school itself is falling apart.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2022

Disappointed by the faculty at this school. This school wants straight A students that walk the line. Independent thinkers with a lot of energy will be tracked out.HESITANT TO SAY MORE FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION.
Submitted by other on June 29, 2020

Class of 1978. Went on to graduate from USC in Cinema Production. I had a very good experience at this school in academics, athletics and extra curriculars.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2020

This school is nothing special. Some arrogant and bad teachers, focused on ranking, not on students - overrated.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2019

Excellent, my child felt welcomed from the beginning. For a child with a disability we found this to be better than the other high school in the district even though this is not our “home” high school. Glad we fought to be in this school.
Submitted by other on August 18, 2014

Acalanes, class of 1951. Great faculty, administration, and support staff. I lettered in tennis and B basketball. after Acalanes I enrolled at Cal Berkeley. I could have been better prepared for university academics, but overall the experience was a good one. I took public speaking as part of the English requirement, which was a very practical way to study English, but the highbrow English at UC left me cold, and I had trouble coping. I have a 5-year-old granddaughter living in the Acalanes District who I hope to see enter Acalanes in 2021 or hereabouts - if I live that long. I may be partial, since my father was the district superintendent.
Submitted by student on June 06, 2013

Going to a UC was a piece of cake with all the preparation Acalanes gave me in writing skills, problem solving, and critical thinking. Mrs. Challacombe and Mrs. Dunston are amazing teachers!