Moraga School District

The Moraga School District (MSD) serves the town of Moraga with four schools — three elementary schools and one intermediate school — providing K-8 education for approximately 1,800 students.

Located in a close-knit community where “the majority of parents are highly educated professionals with high expectations,” Moraga schools deliver exceptional academic outcomes in an intimate, supportive environment.

For Incoming Families: Summer 2026 Move-In

The Campolindo Class of 2026 graduated last Saturday (June 13), and MSD families are now well into summer mode. If you’re relocating to Moraga over the summer with school-age kids, here’s what makes the MSD pipeline simpler than its Lafayette and Orinda neighbors — and what to lock in before the August start:

• The single-feeder pipeline is the headline. Every Moraga elementary school (Camino Pablo, Donald Rheem, Los Perales) feeds Joaquin Moraga Intermediate for 6-8, and every JM graduate enters Campolindo High School for 9-12. Unlike Lafayette (where Stanley Middle students split between Acalanes and Las Lomas at 9th grade) or Orinda (which has its own elementary-to-Orinda Intermediate-to-Miramonte funnel), Moraga has no boundary question to resolve — if your address is in Moraga, your child’s K-12 path is set on day one. For families relocating with a rising 5th- or 8th-grader, this is the single most valuable piece of information on this page.
• Enrollment for fall 2026 — MSD elementary assignments are address-based within Moraga; the district office at 1540 School Street processes new-family registrations through the summer. Bring proof of residency (lease or closing docs) and immunization records. Each elementary campus runs a separate kindergarten/new-family orientation in the second or third week of August.
• Joaquin Moraga Intermediate summer expectations — incoming 6th graders typically receive a summer reading list and math-readiness materials by late June; the JM front office and the student handbook (posted on the MSD site each summer) are the canonical source. Elective choices (Band, Orchestra, Choir, Visual Arts, World Languages, Leadership) come together in early August, along with team and advisory assignments.
• MEF membership — the Moraga Education Foundation is the parent-funding piece that keeps MSD’s music, art, technology, library, and science programs running at the level they do. Most new families are introduced to MEF at fall orientation, but earlier engagement (the summer giving cycle opens in July) is welcomed and helps the district lock in staffing.

For the promoting JM class — the rising 9th graders who’ll start at Campolindo in mid-August — the Acalanes Union High School District page is the natural next read.

District at a Glance

What Makes Moraga Schools Stand Out

Small Town, Big Results

Moraga’s smaller size creates advantages larger districts can’t match:

• Everyone knows everyone — Teachers know students by name, even those not in their classes
• Seamless transitions — Students move from elementary to JM to Campolindo with familiar faces
• Community cohesion — The same families you see at school are at the pool club, the coffee shop, the trails

MEF — Moraga Education Foundation

The Moraga Education Foundation raises funds to supplement state funding, supporting:

• Music programs
• Art instruction
• Technology resources
• Library services
• Science enrichment
• Classroom materials

This community investment keeps Moraga schools exceptional despite California’s challenging school funding model.

The Campolindo Pipeline

Every Moraga student follows the same path: elementary school → Joaquin Moraga Intermediate → Campolindo High School. This creates:

• Consistent peer groups from kindergarten through graduation
• Coordinated curriculum designed to build year over year
• Strong community bonds that last through college and beyond

The Schools

Elementary Schools (K-5)

Camino Pablo Elementary

Address: 1111 Camino Pablo, Moraga Phone: (925) 376-4435

Camino Pablo serves central Moraga with a welcoming, community-focused environment.

Notable Features:

• Strong parent involvement
• Excellent music program
• Beautiful campus setting
• Active after-school enrichment

Donald Rheem Elementary

Address: 90 Laird Drive, Moraga Phone: (925) 376-4441

Named after developer Donald Rheem, this school serves the Rheem Valley area with strong academic programs.

Notable Features:

• Dedicated teaching staff
• Strong community spirit
• STEAM focus
• Active parents’ club

Los Perales Elementary

Address: 22 Wakefield Drive, Moraga Phone: (925) 631-0105

Los Perales serves the northern portion of Moraga near the Lafayette border.

Notable Features:

• Smaller school community
• Strong academic outcomes
• Nature-integrated learning
• Close-knit parent community

Intermediate School (6-8)

Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School (JM)

Address: 1010 Camino Pablo, Moraga Phone: (925) 376-4461

JM prepares Moraga students for success at Campolindo High School with rigorous academics and comprehensive middle school programming.

Notable Features:

• Strong STEM programs
• Comprehensive electives (music, art, technology)
• Competitive athletics
• Leadership development
• Excellent preparation for Campolindo
• Advisory program supporting social-emotional growth

High School Pathway: All JM graduates attend Campolindo High School.

Academic Programs

Core Curriculum

Moraga follows California state standards with local enrichment:

• English Language Arts: Literature-based reading, writing across disciplines
• Mathematics: Standards-aligned with differentiation and advanced options
• Science: Hands-on, inquiry-based learning
• Social Studies: California history, civics, world cultures

Enrichment Programs

• Music: Instrumental and choral programs
• Visual Arts: Art instruction at all grade levels
• Physical Education: Comprehensive PE programs
• Technology: 1:1 device programs, digital citizenship
• Library: Full library services with dedicated staff

Middle School Electives

JM offers robust elective options including:

• Band and Orchestra
• Choir
• Visual Arts
• Technology and Engineering
• World Languages
• Leadership

The Community Factor

Saint Mary’s College Proximity

Moraga is home to Saint Mary’s College of California, creating unique opportunities:

• College campus as community resource
• Student teachers and tutors from the education program
• Access to college facilities (Soda Aquatic Center)
• Cultural events and speaker series

Small Town Advantages

With approximately 16,000 residents, Moraga offers:

• Low crime rates
• Walkable/bikeable neighborhoods
• Community events at Moraga Commons
• Strong youth sports programs
• Pool clubs with neighborhood identity

This small-town character extends to the schools, where teachers know families across generations.

School Boundaries

All Moraga residents attend Moraga School District schools. Elementary school assignment depends on your specific address within Moraga.

Intermediate School: All Moraga elementary students attend Joaquin Moraga Intermediate.

High School: All JM graduates attend Campolindo High School — consistently ranked as the #1 public high school in Contra Costa County.

Parent Involvement

Moraga parents are exceptionally engaged:

• MEF: Major fundraising and community organization
• Parent Clubs: Active at each school
• Classroom Volunteers: Strong parent presence
• Sports Coaching: Many programs parent-coached
• Pool Club Culture: School connections extend to summer activities

Considerations

Smaller District Trade-offs

The intimate community has advantages, but consider:

• Fewer program options than larger districts
• Everyone knowing everyone can feel limiting for some families
• Less diversity (economic, cultural) than urban districts
• Homogeneous peer groups from K-12

Budget Pressures

Like all California districts, Moraga faces ongoing funding challenges. Community support through MEF and local measures helps maintain programs.

District Contact Information

Moraga School District 1540 School Street Moraga, CA 94556

• Phone: (925) 376-5943
• Website: moraga.k12.ca.us

School Contacts

Last verified: June 18, 2026 · Previously updated: March 2026

Related Guides:

• Acalanes Union High School District — Campolindo High School details
• Complete Lamorinda Schools Overview
• Raising Kids in Lamorinda — Beyond schools: parks, activities, community

Towns Served:

• Moraga — The community this district serves
• Real Estate in Moraga — Buying or selling in a Moraga School District boundary