Small in Size. Big in Opportunity. Proudly Knight.
There's something special happening at Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, and once again, the numbers back it up. BCCA has held onto its spot as the No. 1 high school in Vacaville and No. 3 high school in the Vallejo Metro Area, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2026–2027 Best High Schools rankings.
But ask anyone in the BCCA community, and they'll tell you the ranking is just one piece of a bigger story, one about a small school where every student is known by name, challenged to grow, and given room to discover what they're capable of.
As a charter school within Vacaville Unified, BCCA serves about 450 students. That smaller size is exactly what makes it work: students get the personal connection of a close-knit campus, paired with the kind of opportunities you'd expect from a much bigger school — dual enrollment at the community college, Advanced Placement coursework, and Career Technical Education pathways. This year alone, BCCA students passed 100 AP exams, a testament to both their drive and the staff who pushed them to reach it.
"BCCA is a wonderful example of what can happen when students are known, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential," said Sasha Begell, Superintendent of Vacaville USD.
"Their continued recognition among Vacaville's top high schools reflects the dedication of their staff, students, and families. BCCA gives students the opportunity to build strong relationships and find their passions while preparing for college, career, and life."
Students at BCCA can explore Career Technical Education in Graphic Design, Engineering, Professional Theater, Musical Performance, and Public Safety, real, hands-on chances to test out future careers before they've even graduated. Add in a strong arts program, athletics, more than 20 student-led clubs, and a spot on VUSD's Hydra Robotics team, and it's easy to see how "small school" and "big opportunity" go hand in hand here.
"We are incredibly proud to see BCCA hold strong in the rankings," said Samantha Working, Principal of Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy. "Our size allows us to create a close-knit community where students are known and supported, but being a small school does not mean small opportunities. Our students can take AP courses, explore career pathways, participate in athletics and the arts, and find their place within our Knight Community. That combination is what makes BCCA special."
At its heart, this recognition isn't really about a ranking, it's about a community that believes in every one of its students and works to help them find out what they're capable of. Whether they're chasing a college degree, building career-ready skills, taking the stage, competing on the field, programming a robot, or leading their peers on campus, BCCA students are finding their passion and building futures with real purpose.
At BCCA, every Knight has a path. Every Knight has a place. And every Knight has the opportunity to go far.