Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0Aliso Viejo’s public schools outscore 88% of California districts
On the state math tests, 57% of Aliso Viejo’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Aliso Viejo, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Aliso Viejo’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 70% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,395 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Journey, St. Mary's School (private), Aliso Viejo Christian School (private) and Academy on the Hill (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Aliso Viejo’s grade
A: better than 88% of California school districts, #86 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Aliso Viejo, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Aliso Viejo · depends on your address
Don Juan Avila Middle
Grades 6–8 · 863 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Aliso Viejo Middle
Grades 6–8 · 803 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Aliso Viejo · depends on your address
Don Juan Avila Middle
Grades 6–8 · 863 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Aliso Viejo Middle
Grades 6–8 · 803 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Aliso Viejo · depends on your address
Don Juan Avila Middle
Grades 6–8 · 863 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Aliso Viejo Middle
Grades 6–8 · 803 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Aliso Viejo
Aliso Niguel High
Grades 9–12 · 2,563 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Aliso Viejo
Aliso Niguel High
Grades 9–12 · 2,563 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Aliso Viejo
Aliso Niguel High
Grades 9–12 · 2,563 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Aliso Viejo
Aliso Niguel High
Grades 9–12 · 2,563 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Aliso Viejo’s public schools are run by Capistrano Unified School District, which also serves Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita and others. Parts of Aliso Viejo (8% and 5% of its land) are served by Laguna Beach Unified and Saddleback Valley Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Aliso Viejo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Aliso Viejo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Aliso Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Laguna Woods | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| Laguna Niguel | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Laguna Hills | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| Laguna Beach | A | Laguna Beach Unified |
Every school in Aliso Viejo
11 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts III).
Questions about Aliso Viejo’s schools
Are Aliso Viejo’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Aliso Viejo children attend outscore 88% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #86 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 89%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Aliso Viejo in?
Capistrano Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 40,251 students in 58 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Aliso Viejo are served by Laguna Beach Unified and Saddleback Valley Unified.
Where do Aliso Viejo kids go to high school?
Aliso Niguel High, with 2,563 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Aliso Viejo’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Capistrano Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Aliso Viejo spend per student?
$17,395 in Capistrano Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Aliso Viejo?
Yes: St. Mary's School (religious, grades PK–8, 821 students), Aliso Viejo Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 382 students) and Academy on the Hill (nonsectarian, grades K, 24 students). Aliso Viejo also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Aliso Viejo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Aliso Viejo → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.