Rancho Mission Viejo’s public schools outscore 88% of California districts
57% of students in Rancho Mission Viejo’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rancho 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.
Rancho Mission Viejo’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 163 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rancho Mission Viejo’s, its schools beat 67%, lower than their 88% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 70% and math 57% 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
The district spends $17,395 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and six high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Rancho Mission Viejo’s grade
A: better than 88% of California school districts, #86 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 Rancho Mission Viejo, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Rancho Mission Viejo
Esencia
Grades K–5 · 996 students · 27:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Rancho Mission Viejo
Esencia
Grades K–5 · 996 students · 27:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Rancho Mission Viejo
Esencia
Grades K–5 · 996 students · 27:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Rancho Mission Viejo
Esencia
Grades K–5 · 996 students · 27:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Rancho Mission Viejo
Esencia
Grades K–5 · 996 students · 27:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Rancho Mission Viejo
Esencia
Grades K–5 · 996 students · 27:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Rancho Mission Viejo
Esencia Middle
Grades 6–8 · 349 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Rancho Mission Viejo
Esencia Middle
Grades 6–8 · 349 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Rancho Mission Viejo
Esencia Middle
Grades 6–8 · 349 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Rancho Mission Viejo’s public schools are run by Capistrano Unified School District, which also serves Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo and others. 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
Rancho Mission Viejo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Rancho Mission Viejo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rancho Mission Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified |
| San Clemente | A | Capistrano Unified |
| San Juan Capistrano | A | Capistrano Unified |
All 2 neighbors share Capistrano Unified with Rancho Mission Viejo, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Rancho Mission Viejo
8 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 Rancho Mission Viejo’s schools
Are Rancho Mission Viejo’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Rancho Mission Viejo children attend outscore 88% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #86 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rancho Mission Viejo in?
Capistrano Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 40,251 students in 58 schools (2024–25).
Where do Rancho Mission Viejo kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: San Clemente High, San Juan Hills High, Aliso Niguel High, Tesoro High, Capistrano Valley High and Dana Hills High.
What is Rancho 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 Rancho Mission Viejo spend per student?
$17,395 in Capistrano Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Rancho Mission Viejo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rancho 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.