Photo: Mrbooger · CC BY-SA 4.0Lake Elsinore’s public schools score below 51% of California districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 20% of Lake Elsinore’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Lake Elsinore, 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.
Lake Elsinore’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 574 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lake Elsinore’s, its schools beat 36%, lower than their 49% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Perris Union High spends $19,039 per student and Lake Elsinore Unified $17,548, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Libereco (private) is in town. Keith McCarthy Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Lake Elsinore’s grade
B−: better than 49% of California school districts, #516 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lake Elsinore, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Lake Elsinore · depends on your address
Terra Cotta Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,026 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Canyon Lake Middle
Grades 6–8 · 951 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Elsinore Middle
Grades 6–8 · 947 students · 27:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Lake Elsinore · depends on your address
Terra Cotta Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,026 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Canyon Lake Middle
Grades 6–8 · 951 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Elsinore Middle
Grades 6–8 · 947 students · 27:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lake Elsinore · depends on your address
Terra Cotta Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,026 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Canyon Lake Middle
Grades 6–8 · 951 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Elsinore Middle
Grades 6–8 · 947 students · 27:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lake Elsinore · depends on your address
Temescal Canyon High
Grades 9–12 · 2,373 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Lakeside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,687 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lake Elsinore · depends on your address
Temescal Canyon High
Grades 9–12 · 2,373 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Lakeside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,687 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lake Elsinore · depends on your address
Temescal Canyon High
Grades 9–12 · 2,373 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Lakeside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,687 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lake Elsinore · depends on your address
Temescal Canyon High
Grades 9–12 · 2,373 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Lakeside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,687 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Lake Elsinore runs its own schools through grade 12 (Lake Elsinore Unified School District). From grade 5, students attend the Perris Union High School District, shared with Perris. Parts of Lake Elsinore (6%, 3% and 3% of its land) are served by Perris Elementary, Perris Union High and Menifee Union instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Lake Elsinore
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Lake Elsinore vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Lake Elsinore’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Elsinore | B− | Lake Elsinore Unified K–12 · Perris Union High 5–12 |
| Canyon Lake | B− | Lake Elsinore Unified |
| Wildomar | B− | Lake Elsinore Unified |
| Menifee | B | Menifee Union K–8 · Perris Union High |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Lake Elsinore Unified with Lake Elsinore for grades K–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Lake Elsinore
17 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Preschool and Vista Lago Global Academy).
Questions about Lake Elsinore’s schools
Are Lake Elsinore’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lake Elsinore children attend score below 51% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #516 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lake Elsinore in?
Two districts: Lake Elsinore Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Perris Union High School District runs grades 5–12, shared with Perris.
Where do Lake Elsinore kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Temescal Canyon High and Lakeside High.
What is Lake Elsinore’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Perris Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Lake Elsinore spend per student?
$19,039 in Perris Union High School District and $17,548 in Lake Elsinore Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lake Elsinore?
Yes: Libereco (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 59 students).
Parents talk
What Lake Elsinore families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lake Elsinore → 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.