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Capistrano Unified


At a glance
193rdof 1,543 California districts▲ 7
Better than 87% of California districts
33122 Valle Rd.
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-4706
·(949) 234-9200·All California district rankings →
Statewide performance 2016–2025
2025: better than 87.5% of districts
59
Schools
40,251
Students
26
5-star schools
Top rankedCanyon Vista Elementary66th of 5,857 California elementary schools
Biggest riser
Richard Henry Dana Elementary up 860 spots statewide this year
Smallest classes
Capistrano Union High 8.6 students per teacher
SchoolDigger ratings
5★
4★
3★
3 schools without a SchoolDigger rating (too few tested students)
Summary:

The Capistrano Unified School District is a high-performing system of 58 schools serving southern Orange County, with 9 high schools, 13 middle schools, and 36 elementary schools that rank in the 87th percentile statewide.

Overall, the district excels academically, with test scores well above state averages, especially in English and Science. Standout top-tier schools include Tesoro High, Canyon Vista Elementary, Chaparral Elementary, Ladera Ranch Middle, and Arroyo Vista Middle. However, performance varies significantly across the district, creating a noticeable gap. Schools in more affluent communities like Ladera Ranch and Rancho Santa Margarita consistently rank highest, while schools with higher rates of economic need, such as Kinoshita Elementary and San Juan Elementary, face greater academic challenges.

Key takeaways for parents are that math is a relative weakness across all grade levels compared to other subjects, and chronic absenteeism is lower than the state average but higher in some schools. Successful feeder patterns exist, where high-performing elementary and middle schools feed into high schools like San Juan Hills High and Tesoro High. Smaller, specialized programs like Capistrano Union High serve unique student needs with more resources per student.

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




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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