Best Schools in Hercules, California
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Hercules?
Use this page to compare every school in Hercules 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.
Ohlone Elementary
Elementary · West Contra Costa Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hercules High
High · West Contra Costa Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hercules Middle
Middle · West Contra Costa Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Hercules for 2026 are Ohlone Elementary (8.8/10), Hercules High (8.0/10), and Hercules Middle (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$741,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$741,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +9.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Hercules schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Hercules
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 5 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohlone Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Hercules High | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Hercules Middle | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Lupine Hills Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Hanna Ranch Elementary | 4.5 / 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
- $130,583
- Median home value
- $741,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 39 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Hercules compares
California rank
#165 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$131k
131% of California median
Schools in this city
5
West Contra Costa Unified runs Hercules's public schools
5 public schools. West Contra Costa Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Hercules is a West Contra Costa Unified school (5 of 5).
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.5 to 8.8 — the spread is inside Hercules, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Hercules, California
Hercules, California is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Hercules show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Hercules is Ohlone Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Hercules is served by 1 school district: West Contra Costa Unified. These districts collectively serve 25,575 students.
Hercules's community shows 46% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $130,583. The poverty rate in the area is 5.4%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 493 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 381 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.8 |
| 3 | 388 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 593 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 740 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
Schools in Hercules
Hercules, California · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$130,583
Median Home Value
$741,200
Median Rent
$3,003/mo
Population
26,245
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
39 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Community Profile
Hercules has a median household income of $130,583. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $741,200, with a median rent of $3,003/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Hercules, California
How many schools are in Hercules, California?
Hercules has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Hercules, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hercules 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 Hercules, California?
The top-ranked school in Hercules on MySchoolScout is Ohlone Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Hercules, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Hercules on MySchoolScout is Ohlone Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Hercules, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Hercules on MySchoolScout is Hercules Middle with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best high school in Hercules, California?
The top-ranked high school in Hercules on MySchoolScout is Hercules High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Hercules, California?
Hercules is served by 1 school district: West Contra Costa Unified.
What is the education level in Hercules, California?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Hercules have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Hercules, California?
The median household income in Hercules is approximately $130,583 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hercules, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hercules is 22.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hercules, 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
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- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
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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.