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Best Public Schools in San Clemente, CA


At a glance
11
Schools
8,374
Students
2
Districts
6
5-star schools
Top rankedVista del Mar Elementary286th of 5,857 California elementary schools
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Biggest riser
Las Palmas Elementary up 543 spots statewide this year
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Smallest classes
Shorecliffs Middle 19.8 students per teacher
SchoolDigger ratings
5★
4★
3★
Summary:

San Clemente, California, is served by 11 public schools across three districts, primarily within the Capistrano Unified district, educating approximately 8,380 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in this coastal community.

Overall, schools in San Clemente perform well above state averages, with standout performers including Vista del Mar Elementary and Vista del Mar Middle, which consistently rank in the state's top 5-6%. San Clemente High boasts a strong 95.3% graduation rate. Notable improvements have been seen at Truman Benedict Elementary and San Onofre Elementary, the latter of which excels despite serving a higher-need population.

While performance is generally strong, there are variations; for instance, middle school rankings range from the 81st to 96th percentile. Mathematics proficiency tends to be lower than English proficiency, especially in higher grades. Parents should note that chronic absenteeism is notably higher at the high school, and per-student spending does not always directly correlate with a school's academic ranking, suggesting other factors significantly influence success.

Ranking:
Map legend
E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private




Cities Near San Clemente

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.

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