Best Public Schools in Santa Ana, CA

The city of Santa Ana, California is home to a diverse array of 79 schools, including 51 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, 16 high schools, and 3 alternative schools, spanning several school districts such as Santa Ana Unified, Tustin Unified, and Garden Grove Unified.

Several schools stand out for their exceptional academic performance, including Ocsa, a public charter high school that ranks 39th out of 2,335 California high schools and has a 5-star rating, with 89% of 11th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy and 69% in Mathematics. Middle College High and Segerstrom High also excel, with high graduation rates and strong academic performance. In contrast, schools like Lorin Griset Academy and Cesar E. Chavez High struggle with low test scores, graduation rates, and high dropout rates.

The data suggests that socioeconomic factors, such as the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, play a significant role in academic outcomes, with lower-income schools generally underperforming. Additionally, there appear to be disparities between school districts, with schools in the higher-performing Tustin Unified and Orange Unified districts outperforming those in the lower-ranked Santa Ana Unified district. The data also highlights the potential for public charter schools, such as Ocsa and Middle College High, to provide high-quality education.