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San Clemente High

Public Grades 9-12

175^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,162 California High Schools

Better than 92% of California high schools

Summary

San Clemente High is a large, high-performing public high school serving about 2,740 students in grades 9-12 within the strong Capistrano Unified school district, consistently ranking in the top 10% of all California high schools.

The school excels in graduating students and has particular strengths in supporting special education students, with both male and female students performing very well. Its academic results in English Language Arts and Math are well above state averages, though its math scores are a bit lower than the district average. When compared to other large comprehensive high schools in the district like Tesoro High, San Juan Hills High, and Capistrano Valley High, San Clemente High holds a solid middle position, with Tesoro being the clear academic leader in the area.

A key area for attention is chronic absenteeism, which is notably higher at San Clemente High than at its peer schools, suggesting that improving attendance could be a major opportunity to boost overall performance. The school's science scores have shown some year-to-year variation, and support for English Language Learner students is an identified area for growth. Overall, it is a stable and improving school that successfully prepares the vast majority of its students for graduation.

2,740

Students ?

23.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,763

Per pupil spending ?

37.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

700 Avenido Pico
San Clemente, CA 92673-5681

(949) 492-4165

District: Capistrano Unified

Feeder schools for San Clemente High:

Elementary:	Clarence Lobo Elementary
	Concordia Elementary
	Las Palmas Elementary
	Marblehead Elementary
	More...
	Truman Benedict Elementary
	Vista del Mar Elementary
Middle:	Bernice Ayer Middle
	Shorecliffs Middle
	Vista del Mar Middle

Racial breakdown:

White:

60.2%

Hispanic:

27.7%

Two or more races:

8.7%

See top rated California high schools

Compare San Clemente High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 92nd percentile in 2015 → 92nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (62% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 8% of California high schools

✓95% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Large classes — about 24 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school62%

District avg65%

California avg41%

175^th of 2,162

California public high schools ?

Top 8%▬ steady since 2015

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 8High Schools in the Capistrano Unified

193^rd of 1,543Capistrano Unified among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	91.4	175 of 2162	91.9%	★★★★★
2024	88.0	261 of 2159	87.9%	★★★★☆
2023	93.3	158 of 2170	92.7%	★★★★★
2022	90.3	200 of 2123	90.6%	★★★★★
2021	87.2	168 of 1290	87.0%	★★★★☆
2019	86.9	240 of 2133	88.7%	★★★★☆
2018	88.6	236 of 2017	88.3%	★★★★☆
2017	86.0	292 of 2021	85.6%	★★★★☆
2016	87.0	252 of 2039	87.6%	★★★★☆
2015	91.0	166 of 1994	91.7%	★★★★★
2013	76.2	195 of 2426	92.0%	★★★★★
2012	76.6	191 of 2354	91.9%	★★★★★
2011	78.1	166 of 2367	93.0%	★★★★★
2010	78.1	161 of 2281	92.9%	★★★★★
2009	78.1	144 of 2238	93.6%	★★★★★
2008	81.2	110 of 2117	94.8%	★★★★★
2007	74.7	194 of 2063	90.6%	★★★★★
2006	79.1	129 of 1968	93.4%	★★★★★
2005	72.7	206 of 1901	89.2%	★★★★☆
2004	68.0	223 of 1653	86.5%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	65.0	239 of 573	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	86.5	46 of 591	92.2%	★★★★★
2022	84.0	67 of 581	88.5%	★★★★☆
2019	72.7	166 of 582	71.5%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	83.3	111 of 1161	90.4%	★★★★★
2021	96.5	20 of 555	96.4%	★★★★★
2019	55.5	343 of 1117	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	79.6	136 of 1052	87.1%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	42.2	531 of 1085	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.2	399 of 1064	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	44.4	412 of 1044	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	68.9	74 of 467	84.2%	★★★★☆
2019	36.1	563 of 941	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	38.5	483 of 938	48.5%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	90.4	158 of 1906	91.7%	★★★★★
2024	88.6	211 of 1915	89.0%	★★★★☆
2023	93.0	134 of 1915	93.0%	★★★★★
2022	88.2	203 of 1858	89.1%	★★★★☆
2021	85.4	143 of 1054	86.4%	★★★★☆
2019	86.6	218 of 1833	88.1%	★★★★☆
2018	88.2	192 of 1760	89.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	80.8	287 of 1900	84.9%	★★★★☆
2024	73.0	423 of 1902	77.8%	★★★★☆
2023	81.1	295 of 1917	84.6%	★★★★☆
2022	82.4	223 of 1861	88.0%	★★★★☆
2019	66.1	507 of 1814	72.1%	★★★★☆
2018	70.2	486 of 1742	72.1%	★★★★☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	70.8	97 of 410	76.3%	★★★★☆
2024	66.1	86 of 328	73.8%	★★★★☆
2023	83.1	36 of 299	88.0%	★★★★☆
2022	62.2	90 of 290	69.0%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	82.3	293 of 2013	85.4%	★★★★☆
2024	79.7	336 of 2026	83.4%	★★★★☆
2023	86.5	222 of 2030	89.1%	★★★★☆
2022	71.8	407 of 1943	79.1%	★★★★☆
2021	80.8	180 of 1126	84.0%	★★★★☆
2019	63.9	572 of 1937	70.5%	★★★★☆
2018	69.5	527 of 1862	71.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	90.0	184 of 1942	90.5%	★★★★★
2024	85.5	274 of 1948	85.9%	★★★★☆
2023	91.6	183 of 1963	90.7%	★★★★★
2022	90.3	171 of 1916	91.1%	★★★★★
2021	85.8	167 of 1122	85.1%	★★★★☆
2019	82.8	284 of 1880	84.9%	★★★★☆
2018	86.7	252 of 1834	86.3%	★★★★☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	68.0	44 of 175	74.9%	★★★★☆
2024	61.3	67 of 183	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.6	57 of 190	70.0%	★★★★☆
2022	71.8	43 of 168	74.4%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	80.4	118 of 577	79.5%	★★★★☆
2024	77.3	126 of 574	78.0%	★★★★☆
2023	86.3	56 of 541	89.6%	★★★★☆
2022	83.5	56 of 515	89.1%	★★★★☆
2019	58.3	184 of 422	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	78.4	67 of 366	81.7%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	87.1	104 of 1252	91.7%	★★★★★
2024	76.9	178 of 1216	85.4%	★★★★☆
2023	83.3	118 of 1197	90.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	85.7	118 of 1155	89.8%	★★★★☆
2024	82.4	177 of 1173	84.9%	★★★★☆
2023	87.0	117 of 1193	90.2%	★★★★★
2022	82.0	182 of 1204	84.9%	★★★★☆
2019	78.1	214 of 1222	82.5%	★★★★☆
2018	82.5	185 of 1173	84.2%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2025)92nd percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)92nd percentile~ school

Male (2025)91st percentile~ school

Disabled (2022)90th percentile~ school

White (2025)90th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)85th percentile-6 vs school

Hispanic (2025)85th percentile-7 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)80th percentile-12 vs school

Homeless (2025)76th percentile-16 vs school

Military Connected (2025)75th percentile-17 vs school

Asian (2024)58th percentile-30 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)51st percentile-37 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy74%+25 vs state

Science58%+26 vs state

Mathematics55%+18 vs state

5.0

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What people are saying

by a student
Thursday, January 6, 2022

Phenomenal education with a majority of caring teachers. Just a lot of kids so try not to get caught up in all the distractions that come along with a big high school. Better sports teams as well than most in the area. Close Quote

Schools Near San Clemente High

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)				Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)					Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
San Clemente High	Public	9-12	700 Avenido Pico	San Clemente	92673	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 492-4165	2,740	116	23.6	37.6%	1,649 (60.2%)	12 (0.4%)	760 (27.7%)	62 (2.3%)	8 (0.3%)	7 (0.3%)	238 (8.7%)	91.4	175^th of 2162 public high schools	91.9%		88	261^st of 2159 public high schools	87.9%	86		59.8	24.0	58.3				74.0	74.0				55.0	55.0	$17,763	$16,782	$981
College and Career Advantage	Public	8-12	33122 Valle Rd.	San Juan Capistrano	92675	Orange County	College and Career Advantage	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(949) 234-9464	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
San Juan Hills High	Public	9-12	29211 Stallion Ridge	San Juan Capistrano	92675	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 234-5900	2,641	114	23.2	38.1%	1,317 (49.9%)	19 (0.7%)	900 (34.1%)	164 (6.2%)	3 (0.1%)	1 (0.0%)	230 (8.7%)	93.3	137^th of 2162 public high schools	93.7%		94	131^st of 2159 public high schools	93.9%	6		58.5		57.9				79.7	79.7				55.9	55.9	$17,380	$16,388	$992
California Preparatory Academy	Public, Virtual	9-12	32972 Calle Perfecto	San Juan Capistrano	92675	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(949) 234-5317	198	9	22.9	22.7%	139 (70.2%)	2 (1.0%)	25 (12.6%)	6 (3.0%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	23 (11.6%)	74.4	501^st of 2162 public high schools	76.8%		90.9	201^st of 2159 public high schools	90.7%	300		44.4		45.6				69.8	69.8				28.6	28.6	$23,965	$23,178	$787
Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano	Public, Charter	7-12	31878 Del Obispo St. Ste. 105	San Juan Capistrano	92675	Orange County	Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 248-1282	185	9	20.5	52.4%	80 (43.2%)	3 (1.6%)	59 (31.9%)	11 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (14.1%)	54.4	941^st of 2162 public high schools	56.5%		55.4	867^th of 2159 public high schools	59.8%	74			25.9	23.3				57.5	56.0				17.0	18.0
Bridges Community Day	Public	6-12	31576 El Camino Real	San Juan Capistrano	92675	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 234-5302	12	3	3.7	25.0%	6 (50.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (33.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (8.3%)								(n/a)															$70,836	$69,828	$1,008
OCASA College Prep	Public, Charter	6-12	31522 El Camino Real	San Juan Capistrano	92675	Orange County	OCASA College Prep District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 269-3290	83	7	11.9	33.7%	42 (50.6%)	1 (1.2%)	28 (33.7%)	3 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (10.8%)								(n/a)	14.3			13.3	55.6	57.1	14.3		43.9	38.9	33.3	35.7		35.1	$61,731	$55,474	$6,257
Capistrano Union High	Public	9-12	31422 Camino Capistrano	San Juan Capistrano	92675	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 489-7216	103	12	8.6	84.5%	22 (21.4%)	3 (2.9%)	75 (72.8%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.9%)	16.5	1756^th of 2162 public high schools	18.8%		13	1888^th of 2159 public high schools	12.6%	132		12.9		15.2				24.2	24.2				0.0	0.0	$58,764	$54,874	$3,890
Dana Hills High	Public	9-12	33333 Golden Lantern	Dana Point	92629	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 496-6666	1,725	80	21.5	42.0%	898 (52.1%)	11 (0.6%)	599 (34.7%)	68 (3.9%)	3 (0.2%)	3 (0.2%)	141 (8.2%)	80.2	405^th of 2162 public high schools	81.3%		93	161^st of 2159 public high schools	92.5%	244		44.9	8.7	42.8				71.0	71.0				39.8	39.8	$19,845	$18,822	$1,023
Capistrano Valley High	Public	9-12	26301 Via Escolar	Mission Viejo	92692	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 364-6100	1,991	91	21.7	40.5%	894 (44.9%)	27 (1.4%)	621 (31.2%)	204 (10.2%)	4 (0.2%)	3 (0.2%)	233 (11.7%)	90.7	187^th of 2162 public high schools	91.4%		87	280^th of 2159 public high schools	87.0%	93		57.2		57.0				74.8	74.8				50.8	50.8	$18,521	$17,482	$1,039

Frequently Asked Questions about San Clemente High

What is the racial makeup of San Clemente High?

Students at San Clemente High are 60% White, 28% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

How many students attend San Clemente High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,740 students attended San Clemente High.

Is San Clemente High a good school?

Yes. San Clemente High ranks in the top 8.1% of California high schools.

What schools feed into San Clemente High?

San Clemente High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Clarence Lobo Elementary
Elementary : Concordia Elementary
Elementary : Las Palmas Elementary
Elementary : Marblehead Elementary
Elementary : Truman Benedict Elementary
Elementary : Vista del Mar Elementary
Middle : Bernice Ayer Middle
Middle : Shorecliffs Middle
Middle : Vista del Mar Middle

What district is San Clemente High in?

Capistrano Unified

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Latest California data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataMar 13, 2026

2024–25 CSA Spanish test scoresDec 22, 2025

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 14, 2025

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.