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Very Good

#2345 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 25% in state

Northgate High

High School · Mt. Diablo Unified

425 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Enrollment

1,535

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#2,345 of 9,539

In Walnut Creek

#5 of 16

public schools

In district

#1 of 47

Mt. Diablo Unified

Equity

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Northgate High

7.6/10

High School in Walnut Creek · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Eagle Peak Montessori

5.2/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Foothill Middle

7.2/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Northgate High

Northgate High is a public high school in Walnut Creek, CA, part of Mt. Diablo Unified. Northgate High serves approximately 1,535 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 23.6:1 student-teacher ratio.

Northgate High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,345 of 9,539 schools in CA. Structured state assessment records for Northgate High show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.2
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Northgate High runs 23.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+28.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate98%
AP Participation38%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,421
Chronic Absenteeism14.7%

Northgate High — Students at Northgate High score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 80.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
86%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
60%
ELA
83%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
76%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
81%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
76%
2018
Math
63%
ELA
79%
2019
Math
63%
ELA
79%
2020*
Math
65%
ELA
85%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
85%
2024
Math
56.9%
ELA
76.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.

How Northgate High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
75th percentile in CA
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
6.0/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Sports
26
13 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
38% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics26sports offered
13 boys'·13 girls'·60 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

425 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northgate High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BEREAN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Ygnacio Valley High (rated 6.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Concord), a more accessible option. Additionally, CARONDELET HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Concord), a more accessible option. For more schools in Walnut Creek, see our Walnut Creek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Eagle Peak Montessori Walnut Creek 0.3 mi 5.2
Foothill Middle Walnut Creek 1.0 mi 7.2
Walnut Acres Elementary Walnut Creek 1.0 mi 6.7
BEREAN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Walnut Creek 1.3 mi 6.8
NORTHCREEK ACADEMY & PRESCHOOL Walnut Creek 1.5 mi 5.9
NorthCreek Academy Walnut Creek 1.5 mi
Berean Christian High School Walnut Creek 1.4 mi
Indian Valley Elementary Walnut Creek 1.4 mi 6.7
Valle Verde Elementary Walnut Creek 1.8 mi 5.9
KLA SCHOOLS OF WALNUT CREEK Walnut Creek 1.7 mi 4.5
Contra Costa School of Performing Arts Walnut Creek 1.8 mi 4.2
SPRINGFIELD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Walnut Creek 1.8 mi
Walnut Heights Elementary Walnut Creek 1.8 mi 7.6
Ygnacio Valley High Concord 2.1 mi 6.1
Woodside Elementary Concord 2.3 mi 3.7
De La Salle High School of Concord Concord 2.2 mi
DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL Concord 2.2 mi 5.1
CARONDELET HIGH SCHOOL Concord 2.2 mi 5.9
Carondelet High School Concord 2.2 mi
Bancroft Elementary Walnut Creek 2.2 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94598 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$188,170

Median Home Value

$1,307,100

Median Rent

$2,989/mo

Population

26,293

College Educated

73.8%

Homeownership

76.1%

Avg Commute

34.1 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

45.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charter Oak High Covina, CA 7.6
Delano High Delano, CA 7.6
Hollywood Senior High Los Angeles, CA 7.6
Monterey High Monterey, CA 7.6
New West Charter Los Angeles, CA 7.6
Newbury Park High Newbury Park, CA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northgate High

What grades does Northgate High serve?

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

How many students attend Northgate High?

Northgate High has an enrollment of approximately 1,535 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northgate High?

The student-teacher ratio at Northgate High is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northgate High rank in CA?

Northgate High ranks #2,345 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Northgate High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northgate High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Northgate High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northgate High has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Northgate High a charter school?

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

Is Northgate High a Title I school?

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

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

10.0% of students at Northgate 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
10 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,535
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
10.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Contra Costa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.7%
4-Year Graduation
98.0%

District

Mt. Diablo Unified
District Enrollment
29,356
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,421
District Rank
#1 of 47

How we rate schools

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