- Las Lomas High — 1.0 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,577 students
- Acalanes Center for Independent Study — 2.3 mi · Grades 9–12 · 61 students
- Acalanes High — 3.5 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,256 students
- Campolindo High — 5.1 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,340 students
- Miramonte High — 6.8 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,167 students
Zip code 94596 is not served by one district. An elementary district and a separate secondary district each cover this area, which is normal in this state — which one your child attends depends on their grade.
| GRADES | DISTRICT | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| K–8 Elementary | Walnut Creek Elementary School District 3,435 students · 7 schools | 10/10 |
| 9–12 Secondary | Acalanes Union High School District 5,420 students · 5 schools | 10/10 |
| Metric | Acalanes Union High School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 5,420 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $20,081/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 14% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acalanes Union High School District (this district) | 10/10 | 95th | 5,420 |
| Mount Diablo Unified School District | 7/10 | 60th | 29,201 |
| San Ramon Valley Unified School District | 10/10 | 96th | 29,680 |
| Martinez Unified School District | 8/10 | 74th | 3,772 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 963 rated districts in CA → → 6/10.
Source: California Dept. of Education CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About Acalanes Union High School District
Acalanes Union High School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 94596 in Walnut Creek, California. Serving students from 9th–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 94596. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Acalanes Union High School District spent $20,081 per pupil in FY2024, close to the California state average of $20,791 and above the national average of $17,619 (US Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances). Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 5 schools, Acalanes Union High School District operates as a mid-sized district serving students from 9th–12th. The district enrolls approximately 5,420 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
Acalanes Union High School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 10/10, placing it in the top-tier tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because California is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Acalanes Union High School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in California on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 94596 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 94596
Children in zip code 94596 are assigned to Acalanes Union High School District for public school enrollment, covering grades 9th–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 94596, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Acalanes Union High School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — California districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Walnut Creek
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Acalanes Union High School District serves zip code 94596, homes in and around zip code 94596 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In California, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Acalanes Union High School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 94596.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Acalanes Union High School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 94596 data.