Photo: User:Wikpe44 · Public domainMission Viejo’s public schools outscore 86% of California districts
Math proficiency in Mission Viejo’s districts is 54%, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Mission Viejo, 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.
Mission Viejo’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 66% and math 54% across both districts 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
Capistrano Unified spends $17,395 per student and Saddleback Valley Unified $17,411, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County, Mission Viejo Christian School (private), Marguerite Christian Pre School (private), Mission Montessori (private), Village Montessori Center (private), Sunflower Montessori (private), Fusion Academy MV: Mission Viejo (private) and Pillars Academy (private) are in town. SVUSD Virtual 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 Mission Viejo’s grade
A: better than 86% of California school districts, #107 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 Mission Viejo, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Mission Viejo · depends on your address
Trabuco Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,475 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Capistrano Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,991 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Mission Viejo High
Grades 9–12 · 1,566 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Mission Viejo · depends on your address
Trabuco Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,475 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Capistrano Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,991 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Mission Viejo High
Grades 9–12 · 1,566 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Mission Viejo runs its own schools through grade 12 (Capistrano Unified School District). From grade K, students attend the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, shared with Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest and Rancho Santa Margarita. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Mission Viejo
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
Mission Viejo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Mission Viejo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified K–12 · Saddleback Valley Unified K–12 |
| Lake Forest | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| Rancho Santa Margarita | A | Capistrano Unified K–12 · Saddleback Valley Unified K–12 |
| Laguna Niguel | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Laguna Hills | A− | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| San Juan Capistrano | A | Capistrano Unified |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Saddleback Valley Unified with Mission Viejo for grades K–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Mission Viejo
29 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (La Tierra Early Childhood Center).
Questions about Mission Viejo’s schools
Are Mission Viejo’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Mission Viejo children attend outscore 86% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #107 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 86%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Mission Viejo in?
Two districts: Capistrano Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Saddleback Valley Unified School District runs grades K–12, shared with Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest and Rancho Santa Margarita.
Where do Mission Viejo kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Trabuco Hills High, Capistrano Valley High and Mission Viejo High.
What is Mission Viejo’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 Mission Viejo spend per student?
$17,395 in Capistrano Unified School District and $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 Mission Viejo?
Yes: Mission Viejo Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 510 students), Marguerite Christian Pre School (religious, grades PK–K, 105 students), Mission Montessori (religious, grades PK–K, 97 students), Village Montessori Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 65 students), Sunflower Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 49 students), Fusion Academy MV: Mission Viejo (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 43 students) and Pillars Academy (religious, grades PK–K, 40 students). Mission Viejo also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Mission Viejo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mission Viejo → 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.