Photo: Eli Pousson · CC BY-SA 2.0Lake Forest’s public schools outscore 81% of California districts
50% of students in Lake Forest’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lake Forest, 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.
Lake Forest’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 388 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lake Forest’s, its schools beat 75%, lower 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 ↓
Eight elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Serrano Intermediate, then El Toro High. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley, Oxford Preparatory Academy - Middle, Christian School, Heritage (private), Abiding Savior Lutheran Church (private), Bella Montessori Schools (private), Montessori on the Lake (private), Lake Forest Montessori School (private), Heritage Montessori School (private) and Milestones Montessori of Lake Forest (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 Lake Forest’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 Lake Forest, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Lake Forest
Serrano Intermediate
Grades 7–8 · 868 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lake Forest
Serrano Intermediate
Grades 7–8 · 868 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lake Forest
El Toro High
Grades 9–12 · 1,902 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lake Forest
El Toro High
Grades 9–12 · 1,902 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lake Forest
El Toro High
Grades 9–12 · 1,902 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lake Forest
El Toro High
Grades 9–12 · 1,902 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Lake Forest’s public schools are run by Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which also serves Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. 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
Lake Forest vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Lake Forest’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Forest | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| Mission Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified K–12 · Saddleback Valley Unified K–12 |
| Irvine | A | Irvine Unified |
| Laguna Hills | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Saddleback Valley Unified with Lake Forest, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Lake Forest
19 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 Lake Forest’s schools
Are Lake Forest’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Lake Forest 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 75%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lake Forest in?
Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 22,646 students in 33 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lake Forest kids go to high school?
El Toro High, with 1,902 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Lake Forest’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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest?
Yes: Christian School, Heritage (religious, grades PK–12, 346 students), Abiding Savior Lutheran Church (religious, grades K–8, 234 students), Bella Montessori Schools (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 139 students), Montessori on the Lake (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 103 students), Lake Forest Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 54 students), Heritage Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades K–1, 13 students) and Milestones Montessori of Lake Forest (nonsectarian, grades 1, 9 students). Lake Forest also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lake Forest families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lake Forest → 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.