Photo: Don Ramey Logan, Diosthenese, User:CactusWriter · CC BY 3.0Laguna Beach’s public schools outscore 93% of California districts
On the state math tests, 67% of Laguna Beach’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Laguna Beach, 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.
Laguna Beach’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 77% and math 67% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $33,583 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Thurston Middle, then Laguna Beach High. Enrollment is down 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Anneliese's Schools (private), Anneliese School (private), Anneliese Schools, Inc. (private) and Montessori School of Laguna Beach (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 Laguna Beach’s grade
A: better than 93% of California school districts, #54 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 Laguna Beach, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Laguna Beach
Top of the World Elementary
Grades K–5 · 536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Laguna Beach
Top of the World Elementary
Grades K–5 · 536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Laguna Beach
Top of the World Elementary
Grades K–5 · 536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Laguna Beach
Top of the World Elementary
Grades K–5 · 536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Laguna Beach
Top of the World Elementary
Grades K–5 · 536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Laguna Beach
Top of the World Elementary
Grades K–5 · 536 students · 20:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Laguna Beach
Thurston Middle
Grades 6–8 · 524 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Laguna Beach
Thurston Middle
Grades 6–8 · 524 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Laguna Beach
Thurston Middle
Grades 6–8 · 524 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach High
Grades 9–12 · 815 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach High
Grades 9–12 · 815 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach High
Grades 9–12 · 815 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach High
Grades 9–12 · 815 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Laguna Beach’s public schools are run by Laguna Beach Unified School District. 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
Laguna Beach vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Laguna Beach’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Laguna Beach | A | Laguna Beach Unified |
| Laguna Niguel | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Dana Point | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Aliso Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Laguna Woods | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
Every school in Laguna Beach
7 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).
Questions about Laguna Beach’s schools
Are Laguna Beach’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Laguna Beach children attend outscore 93% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #54 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Laguna Beach in?
Laguna Beach Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,279 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Laguna Beach kids go to high school?
Laguna Beach High, with 815 students.
What is Laguna Beach’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Laguna Beach Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Laguna Beach spend per student?
$33,583 in Laguna Beach Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Laguna Beach?
Yes: Anneliese's Schools (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 382 students), Anneliese School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 373 students), Anneliese Schools, Inc. (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 31 students) and Montessori School of Laguna Beach (nonsectarian, grades K, 5 students).
Parents talk
What Laguna Beach families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Laguna Beach → 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.