Photo: Jon Zich, [email protected] · CC BY-SA 3.0Orange’s public schools outscore 65% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Orange, 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.
Orange’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 511 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Orange’s, its schools beat 58%, lower than their 65% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 31% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Anaheim Union High spends $20,079 per student and Orange Unified $16,406, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Santiago Charter Middle, Unity Middle College High, Tomorrow's Leadership Collaborative (TLC) Charter, Orange County Classical Academy, Explore Academy, St. Johns Lutheran School (private), St. Paul's Lutheran School (private), Salem Lutheran School (private), Holy Family Catholic School (private), St. Norbert Catholic School (private), Covenant Christian School (private), Spirit Academy (private), Adelphia Classical Christian Academy (private), International School of Orange County (private), Rossier Elementary School (private), Little Scholars Academy of California (private) and Revive Covenant Preschool (private) are in town. OUSD EDGE 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 Orange’s grade
B+: better than 65% of California school districts, #295 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 Orange, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Orange · depends on your address
McPherson Magnet
Grades K–8 · 863 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Portola Middle
Grades 7–8 · 422 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Yorba Middle
Grades 7–8 · 418 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Orange · depends on your address
McPherson Magnet
Grades K–8 · 863 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Portola Middle
Grades 7–8 · 422 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Yorba Middle
Grades 7–8 · 418 students · 18:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Orange · depends on your address
El Modena High
Grades 9–12 · 1,795 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Orange High
Grades 9–12 · 1,728 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Orange · depends on your address
El Modena High
Grades 9–12 · 1,795 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Orange High
Grades 9–12 · 1,728 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Orange · depends on your address
El Modena High
Grades 9–12 · 1,795 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Orange High
Grades 9–12 · 1,728 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Orange · depends on your address
El Modena High
Grades 9–12 · 1,795 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Orange High
Grades 9–12 · 1,728 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Orange runs its own schools through grade 12 (Orange Unified School District). From grade 7, students attend the Anaheim Union High School District, shared with Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos and Stanton. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Orange
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Orange vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Orange’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | B+ | Orange Unified K–12 · Anaheim Union High 7–12 |
| Anaheim | B | Anaheim Elementary K–6 · Orange Unified K–12 · Anaheim Union High 7–12 |
| Santa Ana | C+ | Santa Ana Unified |
| Garden Grove | A− | Garden Grove Unified K–12 · Huntington Beach Union High 9–12 |
| Tustin | A− | Tustin Unified |
Every school in Orange
41 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 (OUSD Community Day).
Questions about Orange’s schools
Are Orange’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Orange children attend outscore 65% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #295 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Orange in?
Two districts: Orange Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Anaheim Union High School District runs grades 7–12, shared with Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos and Stanton.
Where do Orange kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: El Modena High and Orange High.
What is Orange’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Anaheim Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Orange spend per student?
$20,079 in Anaheim Union High School District and $16,406 in Orange Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Orange?
Yes: St. Johns Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 849 students), St. Paul's Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 545 students), Salem Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 496 students), Holy Family Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 427 students), St. Norbert Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 295 students), Covenant Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 248 students), Spirit Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 154 students), Adelphia Classical Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 125 students), International School of Orange County (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 121 students), Rossier Elementary School (special education, grades K–8, 59 students), Little Scholars Academy of California (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 54 students) and Revive Covenant Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 26 students). Orange also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Orange families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Orange → 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.