Photo: Amin Eshaiker · CC BY-SA 4.0Placentia’s public schools outscore 84% of California districts
Math proficiency in Placentia’s districts is 52%, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Placentia, 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.
Placentia’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 513 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Placentia’s, its schools beat 90%, higher than their 84% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 64% and math 52% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,021 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Joseph Elementary School (private) is in town. Buena Vista 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 Placentia’s grade
A−: better than 84% of California school districts, #132 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 Placentia, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Placentia · depends on your address
Kraemer Middle
Grades 7–8 · 889 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle
Grades 7–8 · 566 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Valadez Middle School Academy
Grades 6–8 · 527 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Placentia · depends on your address
Kraemer Middle
Grades 7–8 · 889 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle
Grades 7–8 · 566 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Valadez Middle School Academy
Grades 6–8 · 527 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Placentia · depends on your address
Valencia High
Grades 9–12 · 2,411 students · 22:1 students per teacher
El Dorado High
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 25:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Placentia · depends on your address
Valencia High
Grades 9–12 · 2,411 students · 22:1 students per teacher
El Dorado High
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 25:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Placentia · depends on your address
Valencia High
Grades 9–12 · 2,411 students · 22:1 students per teacher
El Dorado High
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 25:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Placentia · depends on your address
Valencia High
Grades 9–12 · 2,411 students · 22:1 students per teacher
El Dorado High
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Placentia’s public schools are run by Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, which also serves Yorba Linda. 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
Placentia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Placentia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Placentia | A− | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified |
| Anaheim | B | Anaheim Elementary K–6 · Orange Unified K–12 · Anaheim Union High 7–12 |
| Yorba Linda | A− | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified |
| Fullerton | A− | Fullerton Elementary K–8 · Fullerton Joint Union High 9–12 |
| Brea | A− | Brea-Olinda Unified K–12 · Fullerton Joint Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Placentia
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 Placentia’s schools
Are Placentia’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Placentia children attend outscore 84% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #132 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 90%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Placentia in?
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 22,665 students in 34 schools (2024–25).
Where do Placentia kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Valencia High and El Dorado High.
What is Placentia’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Placentia spend per student?
$17,021 in Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Placentia?
Yes: St. Joseph Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 191 students).
Parents talk
What Placentia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Placentia → 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.