Photo: Don Ramey Logan · CC BY-SA 3.0San Clemente’s public schools outscore 88% of California districts
Math proficiency in San Clemente’s districts is 57%, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving San Clemente, 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.
San Clemente’s schools, in brief
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 ↓
Six elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Our Lady of Fatima School (private), Montessori School of San Clemente LLC (private) and St. Michaels Christian Academy (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 San Clemente’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 San Clemente, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in San Clemente · depends on your address
Bernice Ayer Middle
Grades 6–8 · 919 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Shorecliffs Middle
Grades 6–8 · 634 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Vista del Mar Middle
Grades 6–8 · 499 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in San Clemente · depends on your address
Bernice Ayer Middle
Grades 6–8 · 919 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Shorecliffs Middle
Grades 6–8 · 634 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Vista del Mar Middle
Grades 6–8 · 499 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in San Clemente · depends on your address
Bernice Ayer Middle
Grades 6–8 · 919 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Shorecliffs Middle
Grades 6–8 · 634 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Vista del Mar Middle
Grades 6–8 · 499 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in San Clemente
San Clemente High
Grades 9–12 · 2,740 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in San Clemente
San Clemente High
Grades 9–12 · 2,740 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in San Clemente
San Clemente High
Grades 9–12 · 2,740 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in San Clemente
San Clemente High
Grades 9–12 · 2,740 students · 24:1 students per teacher
San Clemente’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
San Clemente vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share San Clemente’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| San Clemente | A | Capistrano Unified |
| San Juan Capistrano | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Dana Point | A | Capistrano Unified |
All 2 neighbors share Capistrano Unified with San Clemente, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in San Clemente
13 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 San Clemente’s schools
Are San Clemente’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools San Clemente 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 90%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is San Clemente in?
Capistrano Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 40,251 students in 58 schools (2024–25).
Where do San Clemente kids go to high school?
San Clemente High, with 2,740 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is San Clemente’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 San Clemente spend per student?
$17,395 in Capistrano Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in San Clemente?
Yes: Our Lady of Fatima School (Catholic, grades K–8, 178 students), Montessori School of San Clemente LLC (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 111 students) and St. Michaels Christian Academy (religious, grades 1–7, 22 students).
Parents talk
What San Clemente families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near San Clemente → 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.