Danville and San Ramon High Schools: A Complete Guide to California High, Dougherty Valley, San Ramon Valley High and Monte Vista
Looking for a home in Danville or San Ramon and trying to understand the local high schools? One of the most important things to know is that there isn’t simply one “San Ramon Valley school area.”
The San Ramon Valley Unified School District serves families throughout Danville, San Ramon, Alamo and surrounding communities, with four major comprehensive public high schools that many home buyers consider: California High School, Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon Valley High School and Monte Vista High School.
Each school serves a different geographic area, and the neighborhoods surrounding those schools can feel very different from one another.
For home buyers, this means that choosing between Danville and San Ramon real estate isn’t just about the city or ZIP code. Buyers often compare specific neighborhoods, school attendance boundaries, home styles, lot sizes, proximity to parks and trails, commute routes, and the overall lifestyle each area provides.
This guide takes a closer look at the four high schools and the neighborhoods associated with them.
Important: School attendance boundaries can change, and a property’s ZIP code or neighborhood name does not by itself determine the assigned school. Buyers should verify the exact property address with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District before making a purchase decision. SRVUSD directs families to its School Site Locator to determine the resident school. (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
Understanding the San Ramon Valley Unified School District
The San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) is one of the primary reasons families consider buying homes in Danville and San Ramon.
The district includes several distinct communities and has separate attendance boundaries for its high schools. The four comprehensive high schools most commonly discussed by local home buyers are:
California High School
Dougherty Valley High School
San Ramon Valley High School
Monte Vista High School
The district’s high-school boundary map shows distinct attendance areas extending through San Ramon, Danville, Alamo and surrounding areas. (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
That is why two homes only a few minutes apart can potentially have different assigned high schools.
For real estate buyers, “Which high school?” is an address-specific question.
California High School in San Ramon
California High School, commonly called Cal High, is located at 9870 Broadmoor Drive in San Ramon.
The school serves portions of the more established areas of San Ramon and is associated primarily with the 94583 area.
One of the biggest differences between the California High area and Dougherty Valley is the age and character of the surrounding neighborhoods.
What is the California High neighborhood like?
Much of the California High attendance area has an established suburban character.
Buyers will find a mixture of:
Older and remodeled homes
Established neighborhoods
Mature trees and landscaping
Traditional suburban streets
Single-family homes
Some larger lots
Convenient access to I-680
Proximity to Bishop Ranch and central San Ramon
For buyers who want San Ramon schools but prefer an established neighborhood rather than a newer planned development, the California High area can be particularly interesting.
The lifestyle is different from the newer neighborhoods farther east and south in San Ramon.
California High academic information
According to 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results, approximately 74.9% of California High students met or exceeded the state standard in English language arts and 61.7% met or exceeded the standard in math. (EdSource)
These are statewide standardized assessment results for 2025 and represent only one measure of a school. They should not be interpreted as a complete measurement of school quality, student experience, extracurricular opportunities, athletics, arts, course offerings or college outcomes.
For buyers researching California High School homes, the school is only part of the equation. The surrounding neighborhood, commute, home style, lot size and proximity to amenities can be equally important.
Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon
Dougherty Valley High School is located at 10550 Albion Road in San Ramon.
It serves the newer Dougherty Valley, including major residential areas such as portions of Windemere and Gale Ranch.
Dougherty Valley is one of the most recognizable newer residential areas in the San Ramon Valley.
What makes Dougherty Valley different?
The biggest difference is the development pattern.
Much of the area was developed more recently than the traditional neighborhoods around California High, San Ramon Valley High and Monte Vista.
Buyers will find:
Newer single-family homes
Larger planned communities
Townhomes and attached housing
Modern floor plans
Community amenities
Parks and trails
Newer shopping and services
Windemere and Gale Ranch neighborhoods
Newer infrastructure
The neighborhood experience is more master-planned than many of the older Danville neighborhoods.
For a buyer searching for Dougherty Valley homes for sale, the appeal often includes the combination of newer housing, planned communities, parks, amenities and access to SRVUSD schools.
Dougherty Valley High School size
Dougherty Valley High is also the largest of the four schools discussed in this article.
California Department of Education data shows approximately 2,872 students enrolled during the 2025-26 school year. (California Department of Education)
That is a significant student population compared with the approximately 2,128 students at San Ramon Valley High and 1,999 students at Monte Vista during the same school year. (California Department of Education)
Dougherty Valley academic information
The 2025 CAASPP results show that approximately 84.4% of students met or exceeded the state standard in English, while approximately 79.0% met or exceeded the standard in math. (EdSource)
Again, standardized testing is only one data point. Families should also investigate individual programs, extracurricular activities, athletics, arts, AP/Honors offerings, student services and the overall campus environment.
San Ramon Valley High School in Danville
If you are specifically looking for Danville 94526, San Ramon Valley High School is one of the most important schools to understand.
San Ramon Valley High School, often called SRV High, is located at 501 Danville Boulevard in Danville.
The school serves portions of central and northern Danville.
The San Ramon Valley High neighborhood
The areas associated with San Ramon Valley High can provide what many buyers think of as the traditional Danville lifestyle.
Depending on the exact property and attendance boundary, buyers may encounter established neighborhoods in and around:
Central Danville
Sycamore
Greenbrook
Danville Station
Downtown Danville
Other established 94526 neighborhoods
These neighborhoods can feature:
Mature trees
Established landscaping
Older homes that have been extensively remodeled
Ranch-style homes
Larger lots in certain neighborhoods
Cul-de-sac streets
Easy access to downtown
Iron Horse Trail access in portions of the area
Parks and recreational facilities
Downtown Danville lifestyle
One of the biggest differences between this part of Danville and newer San Ramon neighborhoods is the relationship to Downtown Danville.
Downtown Danville offers restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, community events and access to the Iron Horse Trail.
For buyers who value being close to downtown rather than living in a newer master-planned community, central Danville can be particularly attractive.
That is an important distinction when comparing San Ramon Valley High homes for sale with homes in Dougherty Valley.
The decision isn’t necessarily just about the school.
It can also be:
Established Danville lifestyle vs. newer San Ramon lifestyle.
San Ramon Valley High academic information
The 2025 CAASPP results show approximately 82.1% of students met or exceeded the state standard in English, while approximately 51.3% met or exceeded the standard in math. (EdSource)
San Ramon Valley High had approximately 2,128 students during the 2025-26 school year. (California Department of Education)
Monte Vista High School in Danville
Monte Vista High School is located at 3131 Stone Valley Road in Danville.
Monte Vista serves portions of southern and eastern Danville, including neighborhoods around the Sycamore Valley and Stone Valley areas.
For buyers looking at Danville 94526 homes, this is an important distinction.
Not all Danville 94526 properties feed into the same high school.
What is the Monte Vista neighborhood like?
The Monte Vista area has a different feel from central Danville.
Many neighborhoods feature:
Larger homes
Larger lots in certain communities
Established landscaping
Cul-de-sac streets
Southern Danville locations
Sycamore Valley
Stone Valley
Foothill views in some locations
Proximity to parks and open space
Established upscale residential communities
For buyers looking for a larger Danville home, more space and a foothill-oriented setting, southern Danville is often an area worth exploring.
Monte Vista academic information
According to 2025 CAASPP results, approximately 86.2% of Monte Vista students met or exceeded the state standard in English, while approximately 64.8% met or exceeded the standard in math. (EdSource)
Monte Vista had approximately 1,999 students during the 2025-26 school year. (California Department of Education)
Danville vs. San Ramon: It’s More Complicated Than a City Comparison
When buyers initially tell me:
“We want San Ramon schools.”
or
“We want Danville.”
I usually want to know more.
Why?
Because there are significant differences between:
Central Danville and southern Danville
and between:
Established San Ramon and Dougherty Valley.
A buyer who loves Downtown Danville may have a completely different housing search than a buyer who wants a newer Windemere home.
Likewise, someone looking for a large traditional Danville lot may have very different priorities from someone looking for a newer home with community amenities.
Central Danville and San Ramon Valley High
Central Danville is often associated with:
Downtown Danville
Hartz Avenue
Established neighborhoods
Mature trees
Older homes
Remodeled homes
Iron Horse Trail
Parks
Walkability to certain amenities
Traditional Danville character
This is the area many people envision when they hear the phrase “classic Danville.”
For buyers searching homes near San Ramon Valley High School, it is important to look beyond the school itself and understand the individual neighborhood.
Southern Danville and Monte Vista
Southern Danville provides another version of the Danville lifestyle.
Neighborhoods around Sycamore Valley and Stone Valley can offer:
Larger homes
Larger lots
Established neighborhoods
Foothill surroundings
Cul-de-sac streets
Parks
More suburban settings
For some buyers, the attraction is the combination of Danville location, larger homes and proximity to the hills.
Established San Ramon and California High
The California High area provides another option.
Buyers may find:
Established neighborhoods
Mature landscaping
Traditional suburban homes
Convenient access to I-680
Proximity to Bishop Ranch
A central San Ramon location
This can be a good area to investigate for buyers who want San Ramon but don’t necessarily want a newer Dougherty Valley subdivision.
Dougherty Valley, Windemere and Gale Ranch
Dougherty Valley has a distinctly newer feel.
The area is associated with:
Windemere
Gale Ranch
Newer subdivisions
Planned communities
Modern homes
Community amenities
Parks
Trails
Newer commercial areas
For families searching Dougherty Valley homes for sale, the neighborhood itself can be as important as the school.
A newer home, newer community, larger planned development and extensive amenities create a different lifestyle than an established Danville neighborhood.
Comparing the 2025 Academic Data
Looking strictly at the 2025 CAASPP results, the four schools showed different percentages of students meeting or exceeding state standards.
Dougherty Valley reported approximately 84.4% in English and 79.0% in math.
Monte Vista reported approximately 86.2% in English and 64.8% in math.
California High reported approximately 74.9% in English and 61.7% in math.
San Ramon Valley High reported approximately 82.1% in English and 51.3% in math. (EdSource)
These figures should be viewed as one set of academic measurements rather than a ranking of the schools. Test results can be influenced by many factors, and families should consider the broader school experience and their individual child’s needs.
The overall 2025 results for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District were approximately 79.8% meeting or exceeding the standard in English and 74.4% in math. (EdSource)
What About Blackhawk?
Another important distinction for people searching for Danville real estate is Blackhawk.
Blackhawk is in Danville but is generally associated with ZIP code 94506 rather than 94526.
Blackhawk has a very different identity from central Danville and southern Danville neighborhoods in 94526.
It is known for its gated-community environment, golf-course communities, larger homes, private amenities and distinctive planned-community setting.
Therefore, when discussing Danville 94526 real estate, I would keep Blackhawk separate rather than treating all Danville homes as one neighborhood.
Why ZIP Code Isn’t Enough When Buying a Home
One of the biggest mistakes buyers can make when researching Danville and San Ramon schools is assuming that the ZIP code determines the high school.
It doesn’t.
A 94526 property does not automatically mean Monte Vista or San Ramon Valley High.
Likewise, being in San Ramon does not automatically mean California High or Dougherty Valley High.
The exact property address and current attendance boundaries matter.
SRVUSD instructs families to determine their resident school through the district’s School Site Locator. (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
Because school boundaries can change, buyers should verify the assignment for any specific property before relying on school information in a real estate listing, website or online search.
Which Neighborhood Is Right for You?
Instead of asking simply:
“Which high school is best?”
I encourage buyers to look at the entire lifestyle.
You may want:
Traditional Danville
Look closely at established neighborhoods around central Danville, including areas associated with San Ramon Valley High.
Consider proximity to Downtown Danville, mature neighborhoods, parks, trails and established housing.
Southern Danville
Explore areas around Sycamore Valley and Stone Valley associated with Monte Vista.
Consider larger homes, larger lots, foothill surroundings and established residential neighborhoods.
Established San Ramon
Explore neighborhoods associated with California High.
Consider mature neighborhoods, central San Ramon, commute convenience and proximity to Bishop Ranch.
Newer San Ramon
Explore Dougherty Valley, Windemere and Gale Ranch.
Consider newer construction, planned communities, parks, amenities and modern floor plans.
Danville and San Ramon Real Estate: Look Beyond the School Name
For families moving to the San Ramon Valley, the high school is obviously important.
But it is only one piece of the home-buying decision.
I recommend buyers also consider:
Home size and floor plan
Does the home provide the bedrooms, bathrooms, office space, garage and living areas your family needs?
Lot size
Older Danville neighborhoods can offer a very different lot-size experience than newer planned communities.
Age of the home
Do you prefer a remodeled 1970s or 1980s home with mature landscaping, or a newer home with modern construction and amenities?
Commute
How long will it take to reach work, Highway 680, Bishop Ranch or other regular destinations?
Walkability
Would you rather be able to walk or bike to Downtown Danville, or have access to newer community amenities?
Parks and trails
The Iron Horse Trail, neighborhood parks, Sycamore Valley and other recreational areas can be major lifestyle considerations.
Future resale
The neighborhood, home condition, lot, location and buyer demand can all influence future marketability—not simply the high school name.
Danville 94526 vs. San Ramon 94583 and 94582
One of the most useful ways to approach the search is to stop thinking about Danville and San Ramon as two single markets.
Instead, think about several distinct submarkets:
Danville 94526 — Central Danville / San Ramon Valley High
Established neighborhoods, Downtown Danville, mature landscaping and traditional Danville character.
Danville 94526 — Southern Danville / Monte Vista
Larger homes, established neighborhoods, Sycamore Valley, Stone Valley and foothill surroundings.
San Ramon 94583 — California High
Established San Ramon neighborhoods, mature landscaping, central San Ramon and convenient access to major employment areas.
San Ramon 94582 — Dougherty Valley High
Newer homes, Windemere, Gale Ranch, planned communities, parks and modern amenities.
Each has its own personality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Danville and San Ramon High Schools
What high schools serve Danville?
The two primary comprehensive public high schools in Danville are San Ramon Valley High School and Monte Vista High School.
The exact school assignment depends on the property’s attendance boundary.
What high schools serve San Ramon?
The primary comprehensive public high schools serving San Ramon include California High School and Dougherty Valley High School, with boundaries determined by SRVUSD.
Is all of Danville 94526 assigned to the same high school?
No.
Different parts of 94526 can fall into different attendance areas. Buyers should verify the exact property address with SRVUSD.
Is Dougherty Valley part of San Ramon?
Yes. Dougherty Valley is a major residential area within San Ramon and includes communities such as Windemere and Gale Ranch.
Is Blackhawk 94526?
Blackhawk is generally associated with 94506, not 94526.
Which high school is closest to Downtown Danville?
San Ramon Valley High is located on Danville Boulevard near the central Danville area. However, proximity to the school does not by itself determine attendance eligibility.
Are San Ramon and Danville in the same school district?
Many of the communities are served by San Ramon Valley Unified School District, including Danville and San Ramon. The district has multiple high-school attendance areas.
Should I buy a home based only on the high school?
No. The high school is one factor. Buyers should also consider the neighborhood, home, lot, commute, amenities, elementary and middle schools, property taxes, HOA considerations, and long-term plans.
The Bottom Line for Danville and San Ramon Home Buyers
There isn’t one single “San Ramon Valley neighborhood.”
There are established neighborhoods and newer planned communities.
There are central Danville neighborhoods close to Downtown Danville and southern Danville neighborhoods closer to the foothills.
There are homes in 94526 associated with different high-school attendance areas.
And there are significant differences between California High, Dougherty Valley High, San Ramon Valley High and Monte Vista High.
For buyers, the best place to start isn’t with a school ranking.
It is with the question:
“What type of neighborhood and lifestyle do we want—and which homes currently fall within the school attendance area we’re considering?”
That approach allows you to evaluate the entire picture: the home, neighborhood, schools, commute, parks, trails, amenities and long-term real estate value.
If you’re considering buying or selling a home in Danville, Alamo or San Ramon, understanding these neighborhood distinctions can make a significant difference.
I’m David Weiss, REALTOR® with Compass, and I specialize in helping buyers and sellers understand the neighborhoods, homes and real estate market throughout the San Ramon Valley.
When you’re comparing homes in Danville 94526, San Ramon 94583 or San Ramon 94582, don’t just look at the listing address. Look at the neighborhood, school attendance boundary, home characteristics and lifestyle that come with it.
David Weiss, REALTOR® | Compass
Danville • Alamo • San Ramon • Blackhawk
DRE #01962589
925-232-4260
