Best Schools in Pinole, California
10 schools · 7 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Pinole?
Use this page to compare every school in Pinole 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.
Ellerhorst Elementary
Elementary · West Contra Costa Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Stewart Elementary
Elementary · West Contra Costa Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
West County Mandarin
Elementary · 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 Pinole for 2026 are Ellerhorst Elementary (8.4/10), Stewart Elementary (8.1/10), and West County Mandarin (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
7 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$697,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
10
7 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$697,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +10.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Pinole schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Pinole
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 10 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ellerhorst Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Stewart Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | West County Mandarin | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Pinole Valley High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Pinole Middle | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Collins Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Shannon Elementary | 3.6 / 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
- $120,833
- Median home value
- $697,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 38 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
56% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pinole compares
California rank
#151 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$121k
121% of California median
Schools in this city
9
West Contra Costa Unified runs Pinole's public schools
7 public schools. West Contra Costa Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Pinole is a West Contra Costa Unified school (7 of 7).
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.6 to 8.4 — the spread is inside Pinole, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Pinole, California
Pinole, California is home to 10 schools, including 7 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Pinole 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 Pinole is Ellerhorst Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pinole is served by 1 school district: West Contra Costa Unified. These districts collectively serve 25,575 students.
Pinole's community shows 39% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $120,833. The poverty rate in the area is 6.5%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 303 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.4 | ||
| 2 | 366 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.1 | ||
| 3 | 434 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.8 | ||
| 4 | 303 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.4 | ||
| 5 | 343 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.6 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Joseph Elementary SchoolPrivate 322 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Big Minds Unschool OnlinePrivate 21 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 379 students · 7th–8th | 7.1 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Big MindsPrivate 36 students · 2nd–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,292 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
Schools in Pinole
Pinole, California · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$120,833
Median Home Value
$697,100
Median Rent
$2,738/mo
Population
18,835
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
38 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Community Profile
Pinole has a median household income of $120,833. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $697,100, with a median rent of $2,738/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 2
- 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 Pinole, California
How many schools are in Pinole, California?
Pinole has 10 schools, including 7 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pinole, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pinole 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 Pinole, California?
The top-ranked school in Pinole on MySchoolScout is Ellerhorst Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pinole, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pinole on MySchoolScout is Ellerhorst Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Pinole, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Pinole on MySchoolScout is Pinole Middle with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best high school in Pinole, California?
The top-ranked high school in Pinole on MySchoolScout is Pinole Valley High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Pinole, California?
Pinole is served by 1 school district: West Contra Costa Unified.
What is the education level in Pinole, California?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Pinole have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pinole, California?
The median household income in Pinole is approximately $120,833 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pinole, California?
Yes, Pinole has 3 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Big Minds with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pinole, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pinole is 18.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pinole, 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.