Photo: Dolly442 · CC BY-SA 4.0Laguna Woods’s public schools outscore 81% of California districts
50% of students in Laguna Woods’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Laguna Woods, 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 Woods’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 368 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Laguna Woods’s, its schools beat 98%, higher than their 81% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 59% and math 50% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,411 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
22 elementary schools, then four middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
The Geneva School (private) is 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 Woods’s grade
A−: better than 81% of California school districts, #156 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 Woods, with each school’s own grade.
Laguna Woods’s public schools are run by Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which also serves Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. Parts of Laguna Woods (15% of its land) are served by Laguna Beach 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
Laguna Woods vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Laguna Woods’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Laguna Woods | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| Aliso Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Laguna Hills | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| Irvine | A | Irvine Unified |
| Laguna Beach | A | Laguna Beach Unified |
Every school in Laguna Woods
31 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 Woods’s schools
Are Laguna Woods’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Laguna Woods children attend outscore 81% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #156 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Laguna Woods in?
Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 22,646 students in 33 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Laguna Woods are served by Laguna Beach Unified.
Where do Laguna Woods kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Trabuco Hills High, El Toro High, Mission Viejo High and Laguna Hills High.
What is Laguna Woods’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Saddleback Valley Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Laguna Woods spend per student?
$17,411 in Saddleback Valley Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Laguna Woods?
Yes: The Geneva School (religious, grades K–8, 135 students).
Parents talk
What Laguna Woods families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Laguna Woods → 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.