Best Schools in EL Cerrito, California
15 schools · 11 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in EL Cerrito?
Use this page to compare every school in EL Cerrito by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Prospect Sierra School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Harding Elementary
Elementary · West Contra Costa Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Fred T. Korematsu Middle
Middle · West Contra Costa Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in EL Cerrito for 2026 are Prospect Sierra School (8.5/10), Harding Elementary (7.9/10), and Fred T. Korematsu Middle (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
15
7 public · 8 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$1,097,300
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
15
7 public · 8 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$1,097,300
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +14.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among EL Cerrito schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in EL Cerrito
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (11 of 15). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prospect Sierra School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Harding Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Fred T. Korematsu Middle | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Madera Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 5 | EL Cerrito High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Fairmont Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 7 | St John the Baptist | 6.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Montessori Family School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Golestan School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Invictus Academy of Richmond | 5.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $127,731
- Median home value
- $1,097,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 66%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
55% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How EL Cerrito compares
California rank
#198 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$128k
128% of California median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in EL Cerrito, California
EL Cerrito, California is home to 15 schools, including 7 public schools and 8 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in EL Cerrito show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in EL Cerrito is Prospect Sierra School with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
EL Cerrito is served by 3 school districts: Summit Public School K2 District, Invictus Academy of Richmond District, West Contra Costa Unified. These districts collectively serve 26,518 students.
EL Cerrito's community shows 66% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $127,731. The poverty rate in the area is 7.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 474 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 467 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 530 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.1 | ||
| Private Schools 8 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Prospect Sierra School
Private
463 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | St John the Baptist
Private
168 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | Montessori Family School
Private
69 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.9 | ||
| 4 | Golestan School
Private
52 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 5.7 | ||
| 5 | Golestan School
Private
56 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Prospect Sierra School
Private
425 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | St. John the Baptist
Private
140 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in EL Cerrito
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 680 students · 7th–8th | 7.9 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,476 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 2 | 389 students · 7th–12th | 5.6 |
| 3 | 554 students · 7th–12th | 4.8 |
Schools in EL Cerrito
EL Cerrito, California · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$127,731
Median Home Value
$1,097,300
Median Rent
$2,434/mo
Population
26,229
College Educated
66%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Community Profile
EL Cerrito has a median household income of $127,731. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,097,300, with a median rent of $2,434/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in EL Cerrito, California
How many schools are in EL Cerrito, California?
EL Cerrito has 15 schools, including 7 public and 8 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in EL Cerrito, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in EL Cerrito is 6.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in EL Cerrito, California?
The top-ranked school in EL Cerrito on MySchoolScout is Prospect Sierra School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in EL Cerrito, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in EL Cerrito on MySchoolScout is Prospect Sierra School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best middle school in EL Cerrito, California?
The top-ranked middle school in EL Cerrito on MySchoolScout is Fred T. Korematsu Middle with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best high school in EL Cerrito, California?
The top-ranked high school in EL Cerrito on MySchoolScout is EL Cerrito High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve EL Cerrito, California?
EL Cerrito is served by 3 school districts: Summit Public School K2 District, Invictus Academy of Richmond District, West Contra Costa Unified.
What is the education level in EL Cerrito, California?
According to Census data, 66% of adults in EL Cerrito have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in EL Cerrito, California?
The median household income in EL Cerrito is approximately $127,731 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in EL Cerrito, California?
Yes, EL Cerrito has 8 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Prospect Sierra School with a score of 8.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in EL Cerrito, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in EL Cerrito is 15.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in EL Cerrito, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.