Acalanes Union High School District

The Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) serves all three Lamorinda towns plus portions of Walnut Creek, providing high school education for approximately 5,400 students across four comprehensive high schools.

With an overall A+ rating from Niche and rankings in the top 5% of California school districts, AUHSD is the reason many families stretch their budgets to live in Lamorinda.

For Incoming Families: Class of 2030 Lands This Fall

The Class of 2026 just graduated last week (AUHSD’s eleventh consecutive June commencement window), and the district’s attention now pivots to the Class of 2030 — the rising freshmen who’ll arrive on Campolindo, Miramonte, Acalanes, and Las Lomas campuses in mid-August. If your family is relocating to Lamorinda over the summer with a 9th-grader in tow, this is the right moment to lock in the practical pieces:

• Enrollment for fall 2026 is the first stop — each campus runs its own incoming-9th-grade orientation in early-to-mid August, with course registration finalized through summer. Boundary verification (Acalanes vs. Las Lomas in Lafayette) should happen before an offer goes in on a house, not after.
• Summer assignments — most AP and Honors track courses release summer reading/work packets in late June; the school websites are the source of truth for current-year lists.
• Athletic tryouts for fall sports (football, water polo, volleyball, cross country) typically open the first week of August. Incoming freshmen athletes should email the head coach in late June or early July to get on the roster radar before tryout week.

For the Class of 2026 — the graduating cohort that just walked the stage — the next data point is the published college destination list, which the individual campuses release in late June or early July each year and is the cleanest single read on how AUHSD prepares students for the four-year college path. We’ll update this page with the 2026 numbers once they post.

District at a Glance

The Four High Schools

Campolindo High School — Moraga

“Campo” consistently ranks as the top public high school in Contra Costa County and among the best in California.

What Makes Campo Special:

• Highest graduation rate in the district
• Exceptional STEM programs
• Championship athletics (particularly swimming, water polo, lacrosse)
• Tight-knit community feel despite large enrollment
• Beautiful campus nestled in Moraga hills

Feeder Schools: Moraga School District (Joaquin Moraga Intermediate)

Miramonte High School — Orinda

“Mira” combines academic excellence with particularly strong arts programs, drawing students who want both rigor and creative outlets.

What Makes Miramonte Special:

• Award-winning drama and music programs
• Strong visual arts department
• Competitive athletics (basketball, tennis, swimming)
• Active student government and clubs
• Orinda BART proximity for student convenience

Feeder Schools: Orinda Union School District (Orinda Intermediate School)

Acalanes High School — Lafayette

The district’s namesake school, Acalanes (“Dons”) offers a comprehensive education with particular strength in college preparation.

What Makes Acalanes Special:

• Comprehensive AP course offerings
• Strong journalism and publications program (award-winning student newspaper)
• Excellent performing arts facilities
• Walkable from downtown Lafayette
• Diverse extracurricular options

Feeder Schools: Lafayette School District (Stanley Middle School) — partial

Las Lomas High School — Walnut Creek

While technically in Walnut Creek, Las Lomas serves some Lafayette families depending on address.

What Makes Las Lomas Special:

• Strong Career Technical Education (CTE) programs
• Competitive athletics
• More diverse student body
• Excellent band program

Feeder Schools: Lafayette School District (Stanley Middle School) — partial

Academic Programs

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

All four high schools offer extensive AP course selections:

• AP English Language & Literature
• AP Calculus AB & BC
• AP Statistics
• AP Biology, Chemistry, Physics
• AP Computer Science
• AP History (US, World, European)
• AP Government & Economics
• AP Spanish, French, Chinese
• AP Art History, Studio Art
• AP Psychology
• AP Environmental Science

College Preparation

AUHSD students regularly gain admission to top universities. Popular destinations include:

• UC Berkeley — Largest single destination
• UCLA
• UC Davis, UCSB, UCSD
• Cal Poly SLO
• USC
• Stanford (selective)
• Ivy League schools (selective)

The district maintains dedicated college counseling centers at each school with experienced counselors who guide students through applications, essays, and financial aid.

Athletics

AUHSD schools compete in the Diablo Athletic League and are perennial contenders in multiple sports.

Notable Programs by School

Campolindo: Swimming & Water Polo (multiple state championships), Lacrosse, Football Miramonte: Basketball, Tennis, Swimming, Cross Country Acalanes: Swimming, Soccer, Volleyball, Track & Field Las Lomas: Football, Wrestling, Band (competition)

What Parents Say

“The teachers are rigorous but supportive. My kids were challenged but never felt abandoned.” — Campo parent

“The college counseling is worth the property taxes alone. They know the admissions process inside and out.” — Miramonte parent

“High expectations, yes. High pressure, sometimes. But the resources are there if you reach out.” — Acalanes parent

Challenges to Consider

Academic Pressure: Lamorinda’s high-achieving culture can create stress. All schools have mental health resources, but families should be aware of the competitive atmosphere.

Student-Teacher Ratio: At 19:1, it’s higher than the national average (16:1). Driven by funding constraints despite local support.

Socioeconomic Homogeneity: With only 8.3% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, diversity (economic and otherwise) is limited compared to urban districts.

District Boundaries & Which School You’ll Attend

For Lafayette families, the specific address determines whether children attend Acalanes or Las Lomas. The boundary roughly divides north/south, but there are exceptions.

Contact Information

Acalanes Union High School District 1212 Pleasant Hill Road Lafayette, CA 94549

• Phone: (925) 280-3900
• Website: acalanes.k12.ca.us

Individual Schools

Last verified: June 16, 2026 · Previously updated: March 2026

Related Guides:

• Lafayette School District — Elementary & middle schools feeding Acalanes/Las Lomas
• Moraga School District — Elementary & middle schools feeding Campolindo
• Orinda Union School District — Elementary & middle schools feeding Miramonte
• Complete Lamorinda Schools Overview

Towns Served:

• Lafayette — Acalanes High and Las Lomas attendance area
• Moraga — Campolindo High attendance area
• Orinda — Miramonte High attendance area