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Very Good

#1918 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 20% in state

Pinole Valley High

High School · West Contra Costa Unified

2900 Pinole Valley Rd., Pinole, CA 94564

Enrollment

1,292

Student-Teacher

23.5:1

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pinole

#4 of 7

public schools

California high schools

#328 of 1,892

In district

#10 of 52

West Contra Costa Unified

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Pinole Valley High

Pinole Valley High serves 1,292 students in grades 9-12 in Pinole, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 23.5:1 and 55 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 47th percentile statewide, placing it at #5055 among California's 9566 schools. Academically, the school shows mixed performance with room for growth in key areas.

While 57% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, mathematics presents a significant opportunity for improvement, with 20% of students achieving proficiency across grade levels. These results suggest the school is working to strengthen its academic programs and support student achievement. The school draws from a well-established community in Contra Costa County, where the median household income reaches $113,630 and median home values are $666,700.

The surrounding area reflects economic stability, with a low poverty rate of 5.5% and 38% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Pinole Valley High is situated in a large suburban setting that serves the 18,946 residents of the 94564 ZIP code, providing students with access to the resources and opportunities of a thriving suburban community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Pinole Valley High is 23.5:1, 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 Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.3%
Math vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.6%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,627

Pinole Valley High — Students at Pinole Valley High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 54.8%
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
21%
ELA
50%
2024
Math
19.9%
ELA
57.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How Pinole Valley High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in CA
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
2.6% participation·455 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2900 Pinole Valley Rd., Pinole, CA 94564

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pinole Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ohlone Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Hercules), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Stewart Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ellerhorst Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pinole, see our Pinole schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Stewart Elementary Pinole 0.2 mi 8.4
Collins Elementary Pinole 0.7 mi 6.3
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pinole 0.9 mi 7.0
EL SOBRANTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Sobrante 0.9 mi 6.6
El Sobrante Christian School El Sobrante 0.9 mi
BIG MINDS Pinole 1.0 mi
Big Minds Unschool Online Pinole 1.0 mi
Murphy Elementary El Sobrante 1.1 mi 6.0
Ellerhorst Elementary Pinole 1.0 mi 8.3
LA CASITA BILINGUE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Pinole 1.1 mi
King's Academy Pinole 1.1 mi
Bethel Christian Academy El Sobrante 1.1 mi
Pinole Middle Pinole 1.0 mi 5.7
West County Mandarin Pinole 1.0 mi 7.1
Seneca Family of Agencies, Catalyst Academy El Sobrante 1.1 mi
SENECA FAMILY OF AGENCIE- CATALYST ACADEMY El Sobrante 1.1 mi
Valley View Elementary Richmond 1.3 mi 5.5
De Anza High Richmond 1.5 mi 6.2
Betty Reid Soskin Middle El Sobrante 1.2 mi 4.2
Ohlone Elementary Hercules 1.4 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94564 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$120,833

Median Home Value

$697,100

Median Rent

$2,738/mo

Population

18,835

College Educated

38.7%

Homeownership

75.9%

Avg Commute

37.5 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

44.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pinole Valley High 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.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Carmel High Carmel, CA 7.7
Del Oro High Loomis, CA 7.7
Las Lomas High Walnut Creek, CA 7.7
Mission Vista High Vista, CA 7.7
Pioneer High San Jose, CA 7.7
Prospect High Saratoga, CA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pinole Valley High

What grades does Pinole Valley High serve?

Pinole Valley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Pinole Valley High?

Pinole Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 1,292 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pinole Valley High?

The student-teacher ratio at Pinole Valley High is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pinole Valley High rank in CA?

Pinole Valley High is ranked #1918 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Pinole Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?

Pinole Valley High has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Pinole Valley High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pinole Valley High has 20.3% math proficiency and 54.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pinole Valley High a charter school?

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

Is Pinole Valley High a Title I school?

No, Pinole Valley High is not currently a Title I school.

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

52.5% of students at Pinole Valley 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
69 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,480/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,292
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.5%
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
#10 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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