Acalanes High students in Lafayette return to a fall calendar packed with spirit events, starting with a Community Blue Out on Friday, Sept. 11.

The Blue Out features girls water polo at lunch, girls volleyball at 6 p.m. and Friday Night Lights football at 7 p.m., according to the Acalanes Parents Club student activities page.

Homecoming week follows Sept. 20–26 under the theme "All roads lead to Acalanes." Hallway decorating begins Sunday, Sept. 20, with work parties scheduled every weekend leading up to the event.

Students can still sign up for class skits. The week culminates with a Homecoming rally on Friday, Sept. 25, and HOCO Night Out on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Tickets for HOCO Night Out went on sale the week of Aug. 30 through GoFan. The school is also seeking parent volunteers to chaperone. No venue or time for the dance has been announced.

Activities Director Katherine Walton is the point of contact for student activities questions.

In a May 2026 article in the AHS Blueprint, then-senior Maddie Bernstein called homecoming her favorite event of the year, saying it "strengthened connections among the seniors."

Colin Malcolm, who was promoted to principal of Acalanes in June, leads the school into its first full fall semester. Malcolm told the Acalanes Union High School District board in June that he was "very excited to continue my journey at Acalanes and continue to move the school in the right direction," The Lamorinda Weekly reported.

Students who want access to home games and dance discounts can purchase an Associated Student Body (ASB) sticker for $115. The sticker covers free entry to home athletic events, at least $25 off Homecoming tickets, a free Acalanes T-shirt on Dons Day and discounts at 12 local businesses including Diablo Foods, Johnny's Donuts and Sideboard.

Acalanes has five home football games this season. Without an ASB sticker, admission totals $30 across those games.

Upcoming Acalanes dates

  • Friday, Sept. 11: Community Blue Out — girls water polo (lunch), girls volleyball (6 p.m.), Friday Night Lights (7 p.m.)
  • Sunday, Sept. 20: Homecoming hallway decorating
  • Friday, Sept. 25: Homecoming rally and Friday Night Lights
  • Saturday, Sept. 26: HOCO Night Out