Capistrano Unified School District

33122 Valle Rd.
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-4706
(District boundaries shown in map)
10/
10
Top 10%

Top Rankings

Capistrano Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 10%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 49 public elementary schools serving 26,412 students in Capistrano Unified School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public elementary schools in California.
Public Elementary Schools in Capistrano Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the California public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
59 Schools
7,700 Schools
# Students
40,733 Students
3,822,920 Students
# Teachers
1,881 Teachers
174,000 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
22:1

District Rank

Capistrano Unified School District, which is ranked #146 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 96% has decreased from 97% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#144 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 10%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Capistrano Unified  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
57%
33%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Capistrano Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
70%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Capistrano Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
51%
29%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Capistrano Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
96%
87%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Capistrano Unified  School District and public school graduation rate of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.64
0.64
# American Indian Students
49 Students
16,785 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
3,437 Students
454,357 Students
% Asian Students
9%
12%
# Hispanic Students
11,011 Students
2,114,366 Students
% Hispanic Students
27%
55%
# Black Students
322 Students
189,461 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
21,173 Students
787,389 Students
% White Students
52%
21%
# Hawaiian Students
57 Students
15,077 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
4,632 Students
240,557 Students
% of Two or more races Students
11%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
83
# Students in K Grade:
3,362
519,574
# Students in 1st Grade:
2,643
396,601
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2,686
414,466
# Students in 3rd Grade:
2,793
416,628
# Students in 4th Grade:
2,906
426,360
# Students in 5th Grade:
2,880
430,582
# Students in 6th Grade:
2,973
432,936
# Students in 7th Grade:
3,037
312,207
# Students in 8th Grade:
3,132
312,649
# Students in 9th Grade:
3,334
44,929
# Students in 10th Grade:
3,507
37,487
# Students in 11th Grade:
3,643
37,249
# Students in 12th Grade:
3,837
41,169
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $17,576 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,064 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$716 MM
$116,387 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Capistrano Unified  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$614 MM
$107,188 MM
This chart displays total spending of Capistrano Unified  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$17,576
$19,974
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Capistrano Unified  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$15,064
$18,396
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Capistrano Unified  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Capistrano Unified School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Chaparral Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
29001 Sienna Pkwy.
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
(949) 234-5349
Grades: K-5
| 661 students
Rank: #22.
Tijeras Creek Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
23072 Avenida Empresa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5300
Grades: K-5
| 318 students
Rank: #33.
Castille Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
24042 Via La Coruna
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 234-5976
Grades: K-5
| 497 students
Rank: #44.
Ladera Ranch Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
29551 Sienna Pkwy.
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
(949) 234-5922
Grades: 6-8
| 1,100 students
Rank: #55.
Canyon Vista Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
27800 Oak View Dr.
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 234-5941
Grades: K-5
| 508 students
Rank: #66.
Wagon Wheel Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
30912 Bridle Path
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679
(949) 589-1953
Grades: K-5
| 447 students
Rank: #77.
Ladera Ranch Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
29551 Sienna Pkwy.
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
(949) 234-5915
Grades: K-5
| 612 students
Rank: #88.
Oso Grande Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
30251 Sienna Pkwy.
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
(949) 234-5966
Grades: K-5
| 887 students
Rank: #99.
Marian Bergeson Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
25302 Rancho Niguel Rd.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 643-1540
Grades: K-5
| 486 students
Rank: #1010.
Philip J. Reilly Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
24171 Pavion
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 454-1590
Grades: K-5
| 418 students
Rank: #1111.
Arroyo Vista Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
23371 Arroyo Vista
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5951
Grades: 6-8
| 330 students
Rank: #1212.
Oak Grove Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
22705 Sanborn
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 360-9001
Grades: K-5
| 584 students
Rank: #1313.
Vista Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1130 Avenue Talega
San Clemente, CA 92673
(949) 234-5950
Grades: K-5
| 727 students
Rank: #1414.
Don Juan Avila Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
26278 Wood Canyon Dr.
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 349-9452
Grades: K-5
| 675 students
Rank: #1515.
Las Flores Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
25862 Antonio Pkwy.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-6935
Grades: K-5
| 322 students
Rank: #1616.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
29851 Highlands Ave.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 234-5980
Grades: K-5
| 530 students
Rank: #1717.
Las Flores Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
25862 Antonio Pkwy.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-6543
Grades: 6-8
| 559 students
Rank: #1818.
Arroyo Vista Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
23371 Arroyo Vista
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5951
Grades: K-5
| 518 students
Rank: #1919.
Vista Del Mar Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1130 Avenue Talega
San Clemente, CA 92673
(949) 234-5955
Grades: 6-8
| 529 students
Rank: #2020.
Laguna Niguel Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
27922 Niguel Heights Blvd.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 234-5308
Grades: K-5
| 397 students
Rank: #2121.
Bathgate Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
27642 Napoli Way
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 348-0451
Grades: K-5
| 579 students
Rank: #2222.
Esencia
(Math: 71% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5 Aprender St.
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
(949) 234-9200
Grades: K-5
| 904 students
Rank: #2323.
Don Juan Avila Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
26278 Wood Canyon Dr.
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 362-0348
Grades: 6-8
| 891 students
Rank: #2424.
Concordia Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3120 Avenida Del Presidente
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 492-3060
Grades: K-5
| 501 students
Rank: #2525.
Truman Benedict Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1251 Sarmentoso
San Clemente, CA 92673
(949) 498-6617
Grades: K-5
| 590 students
Rank: #2626.
Aliso Viejo Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
111 Park Ave.
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 831-2622
Grades: 6-8
| 799 students
Rank: #2727.
Capistrano Home/virtual
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
Grades: K-8
| 91 students
Rank: #2828.
Esencia Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5 Aprender St.
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
(949) 234-9900
Grades: 6-8
| 284 students
Rank: #2929.
Bernice Ayer Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1271 Sarmentoso
San Clemente, CA 92673
(949) 366-9607
Grades: 6-8
| 878 students
Rank: #3030.
John Malcom Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
32261 Charles Ave.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 248-0542
Grades: K-5
| 551 students
Rank: #3131.
Fred Newhart Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
25001 Veterans Way
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 855-0162
Grades: 6-8
| 1,083 students
Rank: #3232.
Niguel Hills Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
29070 Shark Bay
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 234-5360
Grades: 6-8
| 733 students
Rank: #3333.
George White Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
25422 Chapparosa Park Rd.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 249-3875
Grades: K-5
| 390 students
Rank: #3434.
Carl Hankey Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
27252 Nubles St.
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 234-5315
Grades: K-5
| 318 students
Rank: #3535.
Palisades Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
26462 Via Sacramento
Capistrano Beach, CA 92624
(949) 496-5942
Grades: K-5
| 336 students
Show 14 more public schools in Capistrano Unified School District (out of 49 total schools)
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Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 59 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 40,733 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 48%
  • : 96% (Top 5% in CA)
  • : Top 10%
  • : 57% (Top 10%)
  • : 70% (Top 10%)
  • : 51% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

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