Best Schools in Orinda, California
10 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 5 High
Choosing a school in Orinda?
Use this page to compare every school in Orinda 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.
Wagner Ranch Elementary
Elementary · Orinda Union. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Orinda Intermediate
Middle · Orinda Union. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Miramonte High
High · Acalanes Union High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Orinda for 2026 are Wagner Ranch Elementary (9.2/10), Orinda Intermediate (9.1/10), and Miramonte High (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
10
6 public · 4 private
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,810,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
10
6 public · 4 private
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,810,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +7.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Orinda schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Orinda
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wagner Ranch Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Orinda Intermediate | 9.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Miramonte High | 8.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Glorietta Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Del Rey Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Sleepy Hollow Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Orinda Academy | 6.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Holden High School | 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
- 8.1/10
- Median household income
- $250,001
- Median home value
- $1,810,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 85%
- Avg commute
- 36 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 92%
75% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Orinda compares
California rank
#19 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.8
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$250k
251% of California median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Orinda, California
Orinda, California is home to 10 schools, including 6 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 8.1 out of 10, schools in Orinda perform strongly 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 Orinda is Wagner Ranch Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Orinda is served by 2 school districts: Acalanes Union High, Orinda Union. These districts collectively serve 7,969 students.
Orinda's community shows 85% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $250,001. The poverty rate in the area is 2.1%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 466 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 453 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 437 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
| 4 | 374 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 820 students · 6th–8th | 9.1 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,188 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Orinda Academy
Private
59 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | Holden High School
Private
35 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 3 | Holden High School
Private
26 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| 4 | Orinda Academy
Private
33 students · 8th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Orinda
Orinda, California · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$1,810,100
Median Rent
$2,407/mo
Population
19,409
College Educated
85%
Homeownership
92%
Avg Commute
36 min
Poverty Rate
2.1%
Community Profile
Orinda has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,810,100, with a median rent of $2,407/month. The local poverty rate of 2.1% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 5
Resources
School Districts (2)
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 Orinda, California
How many schools are in Orinda, California?
Orinda has 10 schools, including 6 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Orinda, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Orinda is 8.1 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 Orinda, California?
The top-ranked school in Orinda on MySchoolScout is Wagner Ranch Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Orinda, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Orinda on MySchoolScout is Wagner Ranch Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Orinda, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Orinda on MySchoolScout is Orinda Intermediate with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best high school in Orinda, California?
The top-ranked high school in Orinda on MySchoolScout is Miramonte High with a composite score of 8.8/10.
How many school districts serve Orinda, California?
Orinda is served by 2 school districts: Acalanes Union High, Orinda Union.
What is the education level in Orinda, California?
According to Census data, 85% of adults in Orinda have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Orinda, California?
The median household income in Orinda is approximately $250,001 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Orinda, California?
Yes, Orinda has 4 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Orinda Academy with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Orinda, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Orinda is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Orinda, 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
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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.