Very Good
#2908 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 31% 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
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,535
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Walnut Creek
#6 of 16
public schools
California high schools
#533 of 1,892
In district
#7 of 47
Mt. Diablo Unified
Equity
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Northgate High
Northgate High serves 1,535 students in grades 9-12 in Walnut Creek, a prosperous community in Contra Costa County. With 65 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1, providing a solid educational foundation for its diverse student body. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #1523 out of 9566 California schools.
Students show particularly impressive results in English Language Arts, with 77% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance reaches 57% proficiency, reflecting steady achievement in this challenging subject area. Northgate High benefits from its location in an affluent, education-focused community where 74% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood boasts a median household income of $185,995 and a low poverty rate of 4.8%, creating a supportive environment for academic achievement. With a median home value of $1,235,200, the area reflects the strong community investment in education. Located at 425 Castle Rock Road, Northgate High sits in the heart of Walnut Creek's small city setting, surrounded by families who prioritize educational excellence and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Northgate High is 23.6:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Northgate High — Students at Northgate High score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
10%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.2/10.
How Northgate High Compares
See how Northgate High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 56.91% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 76.65% (2024).
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. Ygnacio Valley High (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Concord), with a very similar rating. Another option is BEREAN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.3 |
| Foothill Middle Walnut Creek | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Walnut Acres Elementary Walnut Creek | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| BEREAN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Walnut Creek | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| Valle Verde Elementary Walnut Creek | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| KLA SCHOOLS OF WALNUT CREEK Walnut Creek | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Contra Costa School of Performing Arts Walnut Creek | 1.8 mi | 3.5 |
| SPRINGFIELD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Walnut Creek | 1.8 mi | — |
| Walnut Heights Elementary Walnut Creek | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Ygnacio Valley High Concord | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Woodside Elementary Concord | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| 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 | 7.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northgate High has a median household income of $188,170. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,307,100, with a median rent of $2,989/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln High Testville, CA | 7.2 |
| Adrian Wilcox High Santa Clara, CA | 7.2 |
| Benicia High Benicia, CA | 7.2 |
| Castaic High Castaic, CA | 7.2 |
| Christopher High Gilroy, CA | 7.2 |
| El Dorado High Placentia, CA | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #2908 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Northgate High's MySchoolScout rating?
Northgate High has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Northgate High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northgate High has 60.5% math proficiency and 79.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 10 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 39 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,181/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Walnut Creek). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (925) 938-0900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mt. Diablo Unified- District Enrollment
- 29,356
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,421
- District Rank
- #7 of 47
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.
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