Acalanes Center for Independent Study: Top Walnut Creek School (2026 List)

About Acalanes Center for Independent Study

Acalanes Center for Independent Study is a public alternative school in Walnut Creek, California, that serves students in grades 9 through 12. It is one of five high schools in the Acalanes Union High School District and offers a flexible, independent learning model for students who are keen to learn in a different way. The school has a small, focused student body. 33% of the students are minorities, and 24% are considered economically disadvantaged. The performance data shows that 29% of students are good at math and 63% are good at reading. This school is known as one of the best for students who need individualized pacing and want to stay connected to district resources, particularly because it offers tailored support programs and access to various educational tools that enhance learning outcomes. The school is in a neighborhood where the average home price is about $1.1 million. It is known for being a friendly and professional place to learn. In the end, the Acalanes Center for Independent Study is the best place for students to get a high-quality, independent education that encourages them to be independent and graduate on time, and it is one of the best high schools in California.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 29%

Reading 63%

State average proficiency is 29% in Math and 63% in Reading.

7

Full-time Teachers

7 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

51

Total Students

$58409

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 66.67%

Asian 7.84%

Hispanic 13.73%

Black 0%

Two+ Races 11.76%

Native Am. 0%

White

66.67%

Asian

7.84%

Hispanic

13.73%

Black

0%

Two+ Races

11.76%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 51

62.75%

32 Female

37.25%

19 Male

Student Population

51 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 7 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

255 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Acalanes Center for Independent Study Contact Information

Address

1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA, 94595

View on Map

Phone

(925) 280-3945

Call Now

Website

http://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/cis

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:15 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Acalanes Center for Independent Study is getting ready for the 2026–2027 school year with its upcoming course registration week in late January. This will give students a chance to carefully plan their own educational paths. The campus is still a 1-1 technology site, which means that every student has access to a personal device and high-speed hotspots to help them with their online and independent work. The school also offers a flexible college preparatory curriculum that meets all of the University of California's "a-g" requirements. It also offers a wide range of electives in art and world languages.

FAQ

Q1. Do teachers want students to take advanced classes?

Ans. Advanced classes push students and help them do better in school.

Q2. Are there programs that help people become better leaders?

Ans. Yes, students can learn how to be leaders by joining student groups, working on group projects, and mentoring other students.

Q3. Can students take the SAT and ACT?

Ans. Yes, Acalanes Center for Independent Study lets students who want to go to college take both the SAT and the ACT.

Q4. Does Acalanes Center for Independent Study offer individualized learning assistance?

Ans. Yes, Acalanes Center for Independent Study gives students advice and help to help them reach their academic goals.

Q5. Are students allowed to join clubs and activities outside of school?

Ans. Yes, clubs, sports, and student groups help people learn how to be social and lead.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

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What Parents Say