Very Good
#1759 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 18% in state
EL Cerrito High
High School · West Contra Costa Unified
540 Ashbury Ave., EL Cerrito, CA 94530
Enrollment
1,476
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,476
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In EL Cerrito
#2 of 7
public schools
California high schools
#298 of 1,892
In district
#8 of 52
West Contra Costa Unified
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About EL Cerrito High
El Cerrito High serves 1,476 students in grades 9-12 in El Cerrito, California, operating as a regular public school with 66 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.4:1. The school ranks in the 54th percentile among California high schools, placing #4357 out of 9,566 schools statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. Academically, El Cerrito High shows solid performance in English Language Arts with 52% of students scoring proficient or above, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 31% achieving proficiency.
The school's academic score of 6.5 out of 10 reflects a focus on continued student development across core subjects. The school serves a well-educated community where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a median household income of $119,761 and median home values of $1,046,500. The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 8.9%, supporting a stable learning environment for students.
Located at 540 Ashbury Avenue in Contra Costa County, El Cerrito High sits in a large suburban setting that combines the benefits of suburban living with proximity to the greater Bay Area's educational and cultural resources.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at EL Cerrito High is 22.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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EL Cerrito High — Students at EL Cerrito High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How EL Cerrito High Compares
See how EL Cerrito High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 31% (2019) to 30.55% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 52.41% (2024).
Location
540 Ashbury Ave., EL Cerrito, CA 94530
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering EL Cerrito High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Albany High (rated 9.0/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Albany), which scores notably higher. Another option is Invictus Academy of Richmond (rated 6.5/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, TILDEN PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Albany), a more accessible option. For more schools in EL Cerrito, see our EL Cerrito schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harding Elementary El Cerrito | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Golestan School El Cerrito | 0.4 mi | — |
| GOLESTAN SCHOOL El Cerrito | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL El Cerrito | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Prospect Sierra School El Cerrito | 0.6 mi | — |
| Albany Middle Albany | 0.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Fairmont Elementary El Cerrito | 0.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Invictus Academy of Richmond El Cerrito | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Albany High Albany | 0.8 mi | 9.0 |
| MacGregor High (Continuation) Albany | 0.8 mi | — |
| GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF KENSINGTON Kensington | 0.8 mi | — |
| Tilden Preparatory School Albany | 1.2 mi | — |
| TILDEN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Albany | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Kensington Elementary Kensington | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Fred T. Korematsu Middle El Cerrito | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Cornell Elementary Albany | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Thousand Oaks Elementary Berkeley | 1.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Marin Elementary Albany | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Madera Elementary El Cerrito | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Ocean View Elementary Albany | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94530 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$127,731
Median Home Value
$1,097,300
Median Rent
$2,434/mo
Population
26,229
College Educated
66.4%
Homeownership
57.8%
Avg Commute
33.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding EL Cerrito High 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bonita Vista Senior High Chula Vista, CA | 7.8 |
| Grand Terrace High Sch at the Ray Abril Jr. Edal Complex Grand Terrace, CA | 7.8 |
| John F. Kennedy High La Palma, CA | 7.8 |
| Lawndale High Lawndale, CA | 7.8 |
| Maywood Center for Enriched Studies Maywood, CA | 7.8 |
| Sage Creek High Carlsbad, CA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EL Cerrito High
What grades does EL Cerrito High serve?
EL Cerrito High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend EL Cerrito High?
EL Cerrito High has an enrollment of approximately 1,476 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at EL Cerrito High?
The student-teacher ratio at EL Cerrito High is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does EL Cerrito High rank in CA?
EL Cerrito High is ranked #1759 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is EL Cerrito High's MySchoolScout rating?
EL Cerrito High has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at EL Cerrito High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, EL Cerrito High has 30.7% math proficiency and 50.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is EL Cerrito High a charter school?
No, EL Cerrito High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is EL Cerrito High a Title I school?
No, EL Cerrito High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for EL Cerrito High?
39.6% of students at EL Cerrito High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 66 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 56 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 72 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,579/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Cerrito). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,476
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 66
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Phone
- (510) 231-1437
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Contra Costa Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,575
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,205
- District Rank
- #8 of 52
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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