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Very Good

#1565 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 16% in state

Hercules High

High School · West Contra Costa Unified

1900 Refugio Valley Rd., Hercules, CA 94547

Enrollment

740

Student-Teacher

23.1:1

Score

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hercules

#3 of 5

public schools

California high schools

#267 of 1,892

In district

#7 of 52

West Contra Costa Unified

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Hercules High

Hercules High serves 740 students in grades 9-12 in the well-established suburban community of Hercules, California. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.1:1, providing a manageable learning environment for its student body. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranking in the 75th percentile statewide at #2413 out of 9566 California schools.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 67% achieving proficient or above performance levels across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for academic growth, as 30% of students perform at proficient or above levels. Hercules High benefits from its location in an affluent suburban setting where families prioritize education.

The surrounding community reflects strong economic stability, with a median household income of $125,880 and median home values of $690,000. Nearly half of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the area maintains a low poverty rate of just 4.7%. Located at 1900 Refugio Valley Road, Hercules High sits within Contra Costa County's thriving suburban landscape, serving a community of over 26,000 residents who value educational achievement and community involvement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Hercules High is 23.1:1, 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.9%
Math vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation43.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,627

Hercules High — Students at Hercules High score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 67.3%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
38%
ELA
60%
2024
Math
25.9%
ELA
70.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Hercules High Compares

See how Hercules High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in CA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1900 Refugio Valley Rd., Hercules, CA 94547

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hercules High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pinole Valley High (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Pinole), with a very similar rating. Additionally, De Anza High (rated 6.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Richmond), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hercules, see our Hercules schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hercules Middle Hercules 0.0 mi 6.1
Lupine Hills Elementary Hercules 0.6 mi 7.9
Hanna Ranch Elementary Hercules 1.0 mi 6.8
Ohlone Elementary Hercules 1.3 mi 8.7
Ellerhorst Elementary Pinole 1.7 mi 8.3
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Rodeo 2.1 mi 5.9
St. Patrick School Rodeo 2.2 mi
Pinole Valley High Pinole 2.0 mi 7.7
Rodeo Hills Elementary Rodeo 2.4 mi 5.7
Collins Elementary Pinole 2.0 mi 6.3
Stewart Elementary Pinole 2.2 mi 8.4
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pinole 2.2 mi 7.0
LA CASITA BILINGUE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Pinole 2.3 mi
Valley View Elementary Richmond 2.6 mi 5.5
Big Minds Unschool Online Pinole 2.4 mi
BIG MINDS Pinole 2.4 mi
Olinda Elementary El Sobrante 3.1 mi 7.4
Murphy Elementary El Sobrante 2.7 mi 6.0
De Anza High Richmond 2.8 mi 6.2
King's Academy Pinole 2.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94547 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$130,583

Median Home Value

$741,200

Median Rent

$3,003/mo

Population

26,245

College Educated

46.3%

Homeownership

81.1%

Avg Commute

38.8 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hercules High 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.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Compton Early College High Compton, CA 7.9
Corcoran High Corcoran, CA 7.9
Design Tech High Redwood City, CA 7.9
L.A. County High School for the Arts Los Angeles, CA 7.9
WESM Health/Sports Medicine Los Angeles, CA 7.9
Animo Jackie Robinson High Los Angeles, CA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hercules High

What grades does Hercules High serve?

Hercules High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hercules High?

Hercules High has an enrollment of approximately 740 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hercules High?

The student-teacher ratio at Hercules High is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hercules High rank in CA?

Hercules High is ranked #1565 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Hercules High's MySchoolScout rating?

Hercules High has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Hercules High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hercules High has 29.9% math proficiency and 67.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hercules High a charter school?

No, Hercules High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hercules High a Title I school?

No, Hercules High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hercules High?

43.5% of students at Hercules 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (841/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hercules). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Contra Costa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Contra Costa Unified
District Enrollment
25,575
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,205
District Rank
#7 of 52

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 methodology

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