Garden Grove’s public schools outscore 79% of California districts
In Garden Grove, 45% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Garden Grove, 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 96% 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.
Garden Grove’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 589 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Garden Grove’s, its schools beat 92%, higher than their 79% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 60% and math 45% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Huntington Beach Union High spends $18,463 per student and Garden Grove Unified $21,521, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Orange Crescent School (private), St. Columban School (private), Crosby Elementary (private), Christ Cathedral Academy (private), Orangewood Academy (private), Olive Crest Academy (private), Olive Crest Academy - North (private), Padre Pio Academy (private), King of Kings Lutheran (private), Montessori Greenhouse School (private), Chapman Montessori School (private) and Village Bible Academy (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 Garden Grove’s grade
A−: better than 79% of California school districts, #175 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 Garden Grove, with each school’s own grade.
Garden Grove runs its own schools through grade 12 (Garden Grove Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Huntington Beach Union High School District, shared with Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Westminster. Parts of Garden Grove (6%, 4% and 3% of its land) are served by Anaheim Union High, Westminster and Orange Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Garden Grove
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
Garden Grove vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Garden Grove’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Garden Grove | A− | Garden Grove Unified K–12 · Huntington Beach Union High 9–12 |
| Stanton | B+ | Garden Grove Unified K–12 · Magnolia Elementary K–6 · Savanna Elementary K–6 |
| Santa Ana | C+ | Santa Ana Unified |
| Westminster | A− | Westminster K–8 · Garden Grove Unified K–12 · Huntington Beach Union High 9–12 |
| Anaheim | B | Anaheim Elementary K–6 · Orange Unified K–12 · Anaheim Union High 7–12 |
| Orange | B+ | Orange Unified K–12 · Anaheim Union High 7–12 |
| Seal Beach | A | Los Alamitos Unified K–12 · Huntington Beach Union High 9–12 |
| Los Alamitos | B+ | Los Alamitos Unified K–12 · Anaheim Union High 7–12 |
| Fountain Valley | A− | Fountain Valley Elementary K–8 · Garden Grove Unified K–12 · Huntington Beach Union High 9–12 |
3 of the 8 neighbors share Garden Grove Unified with Garden Grove for grades K–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Garden Grove
63 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 (Skylark Preschool).
Questions about Garden Grove’s schools
Are Garden Grove’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Garden Grove children attend outscore 79% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #175 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 92%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Garden Grove in?
Two districts: Garden Grove Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Huntington Beach Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Westminster.
Where do Garden Grove kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Garden Grove High, Bolsa Grande High, Santiago High, Pacifica High and Rancho Alamitos High.
What is Garden Grove’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Huntington Beach Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Garden Grove spend per student?
$18,463 in Huntington Beach Union High School District and $21,521 in Garden Grove Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Garden Grove?
Yes: Orange Crescent School (religious, grades PK–11, 454 students), St. Columban School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 350 students), Crosby Elementary (nonsectarian, grades K–6, 315 students), Christ Cathedral Academy (Catholic, grades K–8, 282 students), Orangewood Academy (religious, grades K–12, 207 students), Olive Crest Academy (special education, grades , 109 students), Olive Crest Academy - North (special education, grades K–12, 106 students), Padre Pio Academy (Catholic, grades K–12, 56 students), King of Kings Lutheran (religious, grades PK–8, 53 students), Montessori Greenhouse School (nonsectarian, grades K–6, 50 students), Chapman Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 20 students) and Village Bible Academy (religious, grades 6–12, 9 students).
Parents talk
What Garden Grove families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Garden Grove → 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.