Last month, Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) announced it had been recognized as the best school district in Alameda County by Niche, a national K-12 and college research platform. The district, which has been a Hacienda tenant since August 2022, was also ranked fifth in the San Francisco Bay Area, 11th in California, and 54th in the United States. District schools ranked high as well. Pleasanton’s Amador Valley High School, which received an A+ rating, was ranked the second best public high school in Alameda County, while Harvest Park Middle School was recognized as the best public middle school in Alameda County.

“Harvest Park Middle School is a special place of learning, love and care,” according to Harvest Park Principal Russell Campisi. “Our staff work to create an inclusive, rigorous, and engaging environment for all our wonderful students. Our families are dedicated and giving partners. This award is a community effort and well deserved.”

This prestigious ranking reflects PUSD’s exceptional performance across numerous factors analyzed by Niche, including academic performance, extracurricular activity opportunities, data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education, and user input from current students, alumni, and parents. PUSD received a high score in a variety of categories, including A-pluses in Academics, Teachers, and College Prep. “I’m proud that these high ratings reflect the legacy of excellence in our Pleasanton schools,” according to Maurice Ghysels, Interim Superintendent of Schools. “In our ongoing effort to foster positive culture, this illustrates the dedication and hardwork of each member of our PUSD community.”

Other Tri-Valley school districts with high rankings include Dublin Unified School District and San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Both districts received an A+ for quality. The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, which also ranked highly, received an A-.

The excellent public schools in Pleasanton as well as in the Tri-Valley have been linked to the nationally recognized high quality of life enjoyed by residents. Voters have consistently supported efforts to improve schools in the district. In 2017, for example, Pleasanton voters approved Measure I1, a $270 million general obligation bond intended to support various school infrastructure projects. One such project, which was completed last year, was rebuilding Lydiksen Elementary School.

In 2022, Pleasanton voters passed the $395 million Measure I bond. “Some of the Measure I projects already in the pipeline include the construction of new athletic and visual arts facilities at both Amador Valley and Foothill high schools; the construction of an Educational Options Center, which will replace Village High School; new athletic fields at the middle schools; a new early education facility at Harvest Park Middle School; additional transitional kindergarten classrooms; and various other improvements to kitchens and other facilities at the schools,” according to Pleasanton Weekly’s reporter Christian Trujano.

Also in October, the PUSD Facilities and Construction team hosted a community engagement event to discuss the new Early Childhood Education Center at Harvest Park Middle School,” according to PUSD officials. Another project funded through the Measure I bond program, the Early Childhood Education Center “will feature a new three-classroom building, renovations to an existing classroom building, and an expanded parking lot. These facilities will support the District's current preschool program.” For more information about the Pleasanton Unified School District, please visit www.pleasantonusd.net.

For more information about the Niche ranking of the Pleasanton Unified School District, please visit www.niche.com/k12/d/pleasanton-unified-school-district-ca/.