Hercules Middle, Hercules CA - Test Scores & Data

Original Research by School Decision on Hercules Middle

Hercules Middle serves grades six through eight in a diverse urban setting in Contra Costa County. The school enrolls a middle-sized student body with a majority Asian student population, followed by substantial shares of Hispanic and Black students. A significant portion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a community with mixed economic resources.

In English language arts, the school shows a consistent profile across its three grades, with just over half of students meeting state proficiency standards. Eighth graders perform slightly ahead of sixth and seventh graders. Math proficiency is notably lower, with roughly one-third to two-fifths of students proficient depending on grade level; eighth grade edges ahead of the younger grades. In eighth-grade science, about one-third of students meet the standard. The school's overall proficiency index positions it below the midpoint among districts in Contra Costa County.

This pattern reflects a school where English language arts is a relative strength while mathematics and science present steeper academic challenges. The gap between ELA and math proficiency is substantial and suggests that students may benefit from targeted support in quantitative reasoning. A parent considering this school may want to ask the school directly about interventions or support structures in mathematics, and whether the school offers any accelerated or enrichment pathways in subjects where students are performing well.

Hercules is an industrial and residential community anchored by Bio-Rad Laboratories, a major regional employer. The area is part of the West Contra Costa Unified district, which also serves San Pablo, Pinole, and El Cerrito. The school is situated in a neighborhood with moderate home values and rental costs that reflect the broader Bay Area housing market.

The district is navigating significant fiscal pressure following its first teachers' strike in December 2025, which resulted in salary increases and new benefits. To address budget constraints, the district is exploring substantial operational changes, including potential consolidation of middle schools. One of the proposed redesigns directly involves Hercules Middle and would reshape the district's middle-grade offerings. A parent should pay close attention to official district communications about these plans, as they could affect which schools remain available and in what configuration.

At the elementary level, the district has shifted its reading instruction approach toward explicit phonics and adopted a supplemental program alongside its existing core curriculum. This may affect student preparation entering Hercules Middle and the broader literacy environment in the district.

Hercules Middle is a regular public school with no special charter or magnet designation. For families seeking a diverse peer environment and English language arts instruction, the school provides that; families prioritizing math support should explore what the school offers and whether additional tutoring or support would be appropriate.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 634%

School 34% · District 27% · ▲ 7 pts above district

▲ 4 pts above state median · ▲ 6 pts above county median

Grade 735%

School 35% · District 24% · ▲ 11 pts above district

▲ 5 pts above state median · ▲ 6 pts above county median

Grade 841%

School 41% · District 19% · ▲ 22 pts above district

▲ 13 pts above state median · ▲ 9 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 654%

School 54% · District 35% · ▲ 19 pts above district

▲ 10 pts above state median · ▲ 16 pts above county median

Grade 753%

School 53% · District 34% · ▲ 19 pts above district

▲ 7 pts above state median · ▲ 4 pts above county median

Grade 857%

School 57% · District 29% · ▲ 28 pts above district

▲ 12 pts above state median · ▲ 9 pts above county median

Science

Grade 837%

School 37% · District 18% · ▲ 18 pts above district

▲ 11 pts above state median · ▲ 7 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 846%

School 46% · District 36% · ▲ 10 pts above district

▼ 3 pts below state median · ▼ 11 pts below county median

This schoolWest Contra Costa Unified, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income46%Higher-income63%17 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income41%Higher-income66%25 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income52%Higher-income62%10 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income26%Higher-income43%17 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income26%Higher-income45%19 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income34%Higher-income48%14 pp gap