Best Schools in Lafayette, California
12 schools · 8 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Lafayette?
Use this page to compare every school in Lafayette 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.
Springhill Elementary
Elementary · Lafayette Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
M. H. Stanley Middle
Middle · Lafayette Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Acalanes High
High · Acalanes Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lafayette for 2026 are Springhill Elementary (8.2/10), M. H. Stanley Middle (7.7/10), and Acalanes High (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
12
6 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$1,968,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
12
6 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$1,968,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +7.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Lafayette schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Lafayette
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 12 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springhill Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | M. H. Stanley Middle | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Acalanes High | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Lafayette Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Happy Valley Elementary | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Burton Valley Elementary | 4.9 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $231,195
- Median home value
- $1,968,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 77%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
45% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lafayette compares
California rank
#189 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$231k
232% of California median
Schools in this city
11
Lafayette Elementary runs 83% of Lafayette's public schools
Lafayette touches 2 districts, but Lafayette Elementary is the one most addresses actually attend.
Lafayette Elementary accounts for 5 of 6 public schools (83%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.9 to 8.2 — the spread is inside Lafayette, not a citywide average.
- Lafayette Elementary5 public · 83%
- Acalanes Union High1 public · 17%
About Schools in Lafayette, California
Lafayette, California is home to 12 schools, including 6 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.7 out of 10, schools in Lafayette 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 Lafayette is Springhill Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lafayette is served by 2 school districts: Acalanes Union High, Lafayette Elementary. These districts collectively serve 8,627 students.
Lafayette's community shows 77% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $231,195. The poverty rate in the area is 4.1%.
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
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 464 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 509 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | 449 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 4 | 680 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.9 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 172 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | The Meher SchoolsPrivate 180 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | St Perpetua SchoolPrivate 248 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 10 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,110 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,250 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Springstone SchoolPrivate 42 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bentley SchoolPrivate 634 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Lafayette
Lafayette, California · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$231,195
Median Home Value
$1,968,500
Median Rent
$2,902/mo
Population
28,247
College Educated
77%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Community Profile
Lafayette has a median household income of $231,195. It is a well-educated community where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,968,500, with a median rent of $2,902/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Lafayette, California
How many schools are in Lafayette, California?
Lafayette has 12 schools, including 6 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lafayette, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lafayette is 6.7 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 Lafayette, California?
The top-ranked school in Lafayette on MySchoolScout is Springhill Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lafayette, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lafayette on MySchoolScout is Springhill Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Lafayette, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Lafayette on MySchoolScout is M. H. Stanley Middle with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Lafayette, California?
The top-ranked high school in Lafayette on MySchoolScout is Acalanes High with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Lafayette, California?
Lafayette is served by 2 school districts: Acalanes Union High, Lafayette Elementary.
What is the education level in Lafayette, California?
According to Census data, 77% of adults in Lafayette have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lafayette, California?
The median household income in Lafayette is approximately $231,195 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lafayette, California?
Yes, Lafayette has 6 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Contra Costa Jewish Day School with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lafayette, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lafayette is 14.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lafayette, 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 School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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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.