Murrieta’s public schools outscore 78% of California districts
Reading proficiency in Murrieta’s districts is 58%, above the California average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Murrieta, 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.
Murrieta’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 527 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Murrieta’s, its schools beat 83%, higher than their 78% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 58% and math 41% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,115 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Calvary Murrieta Christian Schools (private), Kiddie Academy of Murrieta (private), Childrens Lighthouse Learning Center (private), Oak Grove Center (Jack Weaver School) (private), Promise Christian Preschool (private) and Murrieta Ranch Preschool (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 Murrieta’s grade
A−: better than 78% of California school districts, #180 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Murrieta, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Murrieta · depends on your address
Thompson Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,565 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Shivela Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,282 students · 28:1 students per teacher
Warm Springs Middle
Grades 6–8 · 755 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Murrieta · depends on your address
Thompson Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,565 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Shivela Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,282 students · 28:1 students per teacher
Warm Springs Middle
Grades 6–8 · 755 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Murrieta · depends on your address
Thompson Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,565 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Shivela Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,282 students · 28:1 students per teacher
Warm Springs Middle
Grades 6–8 · 755 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Murrieta · depends on your address
Vista Murrieta High
Grades 9–12 · 3,328 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Murrieta Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,104 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Murrieta Mesa High
Grades 9–12 · 2,066 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Murrieta · depends on your address
Vista Murrieta High
Grades 9–12 · 3,328 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Murrieta Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,104 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Murrieta Mesa High
Grades 9–12 · 2,066 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Murrieta · depends on your address
Vista Murrieta High
Grades 9–12 · 3,328 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Murrieta Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,104 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Murrieta Mesa High
Grades 9–12 · 2,066 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Murrieta · depends on your address
Vista Murrieta High
Grades 9–12 · 3,328 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Murrieta Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,104 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Murrieta Mesa High
Grades 9–12 · 2,066 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Murrieta’s public schools are run by Murrieta Valley Unified School District. Parts of Murrieta (11% and 11% of its land) are served by Perris Union High and Menifee Union 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
Murrieta vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Murrieta’s borders.
Every school in Murrieta
24 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 (Murrieta Preschool Outreach and Murrieta Options Academy).
Questions about Murrieta’s schools
Are Murrieta’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Murrieta children attend outscore 78% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #180 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 83%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Murrieta in?
Murrieta Valley Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 21,621 students in 20 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Murrieta are served by Perris Union High and Menifee Union.
Where do Murrieta kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Vista Murrieta High, Murrieta Valley High and Murrieta Mesa High.
What is Murrieta’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Murrieta Valley Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Murrieta spend per student?
$16,115 in Murrieta Valley Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Murrieta?
Yes: Calvary Murrieta Christian Schools (religious, grades PK–8, 407 students), Kiddie Academy of Murrieta (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 129 students), Childrens Lighthouse Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 120 students), Oak Grove Center (Jack Weaver School) (special education, grades 4–12, 108 students), Promise Christian Preschool (religious, grades PK–2, 66 students) and Murrieta Ranch Preschool (nonsectarian, grades K, 24 students).
Parents talk
What Murrieta families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Murrieta → 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.