One of the "Big Three" high schools in Lamorinda - Miramonte and Campolindo round out the field - Acalanes has been…More around since 1940, when it was built on rural land to accommodate the growing number of students whose parents had chosen to make their home in Lafayette.  It is one four high schools in the Acalanes Union High School District, serving students from Lamorinda and Walnut Creek.</p> <p>Perhaps due to its longevity, the school is the subject of much local lore, including how it came by its unusual name. Accepted opinion is that M.H. Stanley, a local businessman, wanted the school named for the Saclans - an indigenous people linked to the Miwok tribes. Spanish landowners referred to the Saclans as "Saclanes" and throughout the years the pronunciation took its current form, the school's first graduating class adopting "The Don" - a <i>Californio</i> name for a person of wealth and standing - as their mascot.</p> <p>The school offers an array of advanced placement and honors courses, paid for in part by generous donations and the continued support of parent's groups and other organizations.  The school newspaper, <i>BluePrint</i>, was named the best high school newspaper in the country early in 2010.</p> <p>The school has a history of turning out athletes, musicians and scholars, includingHall of Fame quarterback Norm Van Brocklin, Saturday Night Live comedian and writer Will Forte, and Journey bassist Ross Valory.</p> <p>The school principal is Aida Glimme.</p>

Campolindo High School is located in Moraga and is one of five high schools in the Acalanes Union High School…More District. "Campo" is known for its relatively remote and secure learning environment, its Advanced Placement Program and outstanding sports facilities.  The school was ranked 86th in <i>Newsweek</i>'s listing of the country's top schools, released in 2009.</p> <p>The Cougars play in Division III and offer field a variety of teams including volleyball, football, men's basketball, cross country, track and field, soccer, and swimming and diving.</p> <p>The Soda Aquatic Center opened on school grounds in 1999. A joint project between the Acalanes School District and the Orinda-based Soda Charities, the center is open to all district students and community members. The year-round facility has an Olympic-size competition pool, a diving pool and a lap pool. The center includes a community room, dressing rooms and concession stand. Olympic swimmer Matt Biondi grew up in Moraga and swimming, as you might expect, is a popular local sport and pastime.</p> <p>The school's main rival is Miramonte High School in neighboring Orinda. Sporting events between the two schools take on special for both participants and observers alike.</p> <p>Campolindo's gymnasium has also enjoyed a storied career as the scene of debut performances by some of the San Francisco Bay Area's greatest rock bands. The Grateful Dead played there on May 17, 1969. Carlos Santana appeared at the school a few months before traveling east to appear at Woodstock in 1969. The Joy of Cooking, Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band also made appearances at Campolindo. In 1984, Eddie Money made an impromptu visit during the Campolindo Homecoming Dance, taking the stage and performing "Shakin."</p>

One of the "Big Three" triumvirate of high schools in the Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda - Lamorinda area, Miramonte High…More School enjoys a reputation for academic excellence as well as its powerful sports teams. The school has an intense rivalry with its closest neighbor - Campolindo High School, and sports competitions are vigorously supported.</p> <p>Founded in 1955, Miramonte High School is one of four comprehensive high schools and a continuation school in the Acalanes Union High School District, and principally serves high school-age children from Orinda and neighboring Moraga. As with other schools in the district, Miramonte enjoys the active participation and support of parents groups and the community at large; most of whom recognize the critical importance of maintaining area schools.</p> <p>Miramonte sends 98 percent of its graduates to college. The school's college preparatory program includes traditional and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Miramonte also offers a variety of choices of programs in the arts and elective areas. School officers say every student participates in the college preparatory and elective programs, with roughly 85 percent of the student body participating in co-curricular activities.</p> <p>The school principal is Adam Clark.</p>