Photo: Biff.Martin · CC BY-SA 4.0Laguna Niguel’s public schools outscore 88% of California districts
In Laguna Niguel, 57% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Laguna Niguel, 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.
Laguna Niguel’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 ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and six high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts, Community Roots Academy, Mission Lutheran School (private), Pacific Preschool & Kindergarten (private), McDowell School (private), Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy (private), Kle Montessori (private) and Armenta Learning 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 Laguna Niguel’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 Laguna Niguel, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Laguna Niguel
Niguel Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 693 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Laguna Niguel
Niguel Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 693 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Laguna Niguel
Niguel Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 693 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Laguna Niguel’s public schools are run by Capistrano Unified School District, which also serves Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita and others. 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 Niguel vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Laguna Niguel’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Laguna Niguel | A | Capistrano Unified |
| San Juan Capistrano | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Laguna Beach | A | Laguna Beach Unified |
| Dana Point | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Laguna Hills | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| Aliso Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Mission Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified K–12 · Saddleback Valley Unified K–12 |
4 of the 6 neighbors share Capistrano Unified with Laguna Niguel, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Laguna Niguel
21 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 Niguel’s schools
Are Laguna Niguel’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Laguna Niguel 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 90%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Laguna Niguel in?
Capistrano Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 40,251 students in 58 schools (2024–25).
Where do Laguna Niguel kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: San Clemente High, San Juan Hills High, Aliso Niguel High, Tesoro High, Capistrano Valley High and Dana Hills High.
What is Laguna Niguel’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 Laguna Niguel 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 Laguna Niguel?
Yes: Mission Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–K, 123 students), Pacific Preschool & Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 114 students), McDowell School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 94 students), Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy (religious, grades K–8, 34 students), Kle Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 21 students) and Armenta Learning Academy (nonsectarian, grades 1–10, 9 students). Laguna Niguel also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Laguna Niguel families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Laguna Niguel → 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.