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Middle College High

Public Grades 9-12

66^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,162 California High Schools

Better than 97% of California high schools

Summary

Middle College High is a standout 9-12 public school of 448 students in Santa Ana Unified, a district that faces significant challenges, yet it consistently ranks among the top 3-5% of all California high schools.

The school achieves exceptional results: 100% of its students graduate, nearly 97% are proficient in English, and it dramatically outperforms both its district and the state in all subjects. This excellence is particularly significant because the school serves a student population where 86% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, demonstrating that high-poverty demographics do not limit academic potential. The school's "middle college" model, which blends high school with college coursework, appears to be a key factor in its success, fostering a culture where chronic absenteeism is very low and every student is supported to graduation.

When compared to nearby schools, Middle College High's achievement is even more remarkable. It far surpasses other local schools like Santa Ana High and Lorin Griset Academy in academic proficiency, and it achieves better outcomes than schools with more funding, such as REACH Academy. Its performance is comparable only to a school like OCSA, which serves a much more affluent community. This consistent, decade-long excellence makes Middle College High a proven and powerful option for families in the area.

448

Students ?

20.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$21,517

Per pupil spending ?

86.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1530 West 17th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706-3398

(714) 953-3900

District: Santa Ana Unified

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

90.4%

Asian:

6.9%

White:

1.6%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 94th percentile in 2015 → 97th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (73% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of California high schools

✓100% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school73%

District avg26%

California avg41%

66^th of 2,162

California public high schools ?

Top 3%▲ up 3 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 9High Schools in the Santa Ana Unified

1254^th of 1,543Santa Ana 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	96.6	66 of 2162	96.9%	★★★★★
2024	98.1	40 of 2159	98.1%	★★★★★
2023	97.4	68 of 2170	96.9%	★★★★★
2022	97.0	68 of 2123	96.8%	★★★★★
2021	92.3	97 of 1290	92.5%	★★★★★
2019	92.5	139 of 2133	93.5%	★★★★★
2018	81.6	382 of 2017	81.1%	★★★★☆
2017	92.9	133 of 2021	93.4%	★★★★★
2016	91.8	148 of 2039	92.7%	★★★★★
2015	93.5	115 of 1994	94.2%	★★★★★
2013	86.1	63 of 2426	97.4%	★★★★★
2012	80.8	133 of 2354	94.4%	★★★★★
2011	76.8	176 of 2367	92.6%	★★★★★
2010	72.2	248 of 2281	89.1%	★★★★☆
2009	77.6	151 of 2238	93.3%	★★★★★
2008	70.4	267 of 2117	87.4%	★★★★☆
2007	63.8	377 of 2063	81.7%	★★★★☆
2006	59.1	484 of 1968	75.4%	★★★★☆
2005	51.1	570 of 1901	70.0%	★★★★☆
2004	47.2	552 of 1653	66.6%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	88.8	186 of 1906	90.2%	★★★★★
2024	96.2	62 of 1915	96.8%	★★★★★
2023	94.1	116 of 1915	93.9%	★★★★★
2022	92.1	150 of 1858	91.9%	★★★★★
2021	85.8	140 of 1054	86.7%	★★★★☆
2019	86.9	210 of 1833	88.5%	★★★★☆
2018	72.8	486 of 1760	72.4%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	99.2	15 of 1900	99.2%	★★★★★
2024	99.6	13 of 1902	99.3%	★★★★★
2023	99.5	13 of 1917	99.3%	★★★★★
2022	99.7	11 of 1861	99.4%	★★★★★
2019	96.8	43 of 1814	97.6%	★★★★★
2018	88.6	163 of 1742	90.6%	★★★★★

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	99.8	1 of 290	99.7%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	98.9	22 of 2013	98.9%	★★★★★
2024	99.7	10 of 2026	99.5%	★★★★★
2023	99.4	23 of 2030	98.9%	★★★★★
2022	98.7	28 of 1943	98.6%	★★★★★
2021	96.5	33 of 1126	97.1%	★★★★★
2019	97.8	36 of 1937	98.1%	★★★★★
2018	88.0	191 of 1862	89.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	98.8	22 of 1942	98.9%	★★★★★
2024	99.1	21 of 1948	98.9%	★★★★★
2023	98.9	25 of 1963	98.7%	★★★★★
2022	98.9	27 of 1916	98.6%	★★★★★
2021	94.1	68 of 1122	93.9%	★★★★★
2019	93.8	106 of 1880	94.4%	★★★★★
2018	87.0	245 of 1834	86.6%	★★★★☆

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)

Homeless (2022)100th percentile+3 vs school

Hispanic (2025)99th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)99th percentile~ school

Male (2025)99th percentile~ school

Female (2025)90th percentile-7 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy97%+48 vs state

Science68%+35 vs state

Mathematics54%+16 vs state

4.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

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What people are saying

by a student
Thursday, July 18, 2013

I am a former student of Middle College High school. I absolutely loved the atmosphere MCHS presented to its student. Because there is only about 300 students, the students are able to get one on one time with their teachers if needed. Unlike regular high school that have 3000 students, your child will not get lost in the Crowd. I am currently a Sophomore at Cal State University Fullerton and I can honestly say I would not be here if it was not for the caring faculty and staff. I am proud to be part of the prestigious Alumni of Middle College. There is absolutely no better school in Orange County than Middle College High School! Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

My daughter was accepted into Middle College High School, and we are very excited about her opportunity. However, there are a few concerns:
1) Office staff treats parents like they are some kind of alien. They are not helpful and barely polite.
2) We attended end of year open house, and I was surprised by the level of work I saw displayed. I expected remarkable and saw average or just below.
3) The school continues to hammer the point home that they don't have any sports (obviously why 60-70% of student body are obese) and very few student activities. Could they offer students at least a glint of high school for those of us who want happy well-adjusted teenagers?... Close Quote

Schools Near Middle College 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 10th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	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 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
Middle College High	Public	9-12	1530 West 17th St.	Santa Ana	92706	Orange County	Santa Ana Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 953-3900	448	22	20.0	86.4%	7 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	405 (90.4%)	31 (6.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	96.6	66^th of 2162 public high schools	96.9%		98.1	40^th of 2159 public high schools	98.1%	26			67.7		67.7			97.0	97.0			53.5	53.5	$21,517	$20,830	$687
Samueli Academy	Public, Charter	7-12	1901 North Fairview St.	Santa Ana	92706	Orange County	Samueli Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 619-0245	842	40	21.2	74.3%	43 (5.1%)	9 (1.1%)	691 (82.1%)	65 (7.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	27 (3.2%)	63.9	718^th of 2162 public high schools	66.8%		53.5	919^th of 2159 public high schools	57.4%	201	15.7		38.6		27.9	61.7	35.9	57.8	52.5	33.1	16.8	25.9	25.6
Nova Academy Early College High	Public, Charter	9-12	500 West Santa Ana Blvd.	Santa Ana	92701	Orange County	Nova Academy Early College High District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 569-0948	288	15	19.0	88.9%	4 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	271 (94.1%)	2 (0.7%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.4%)	32.3	1441^st of 2162 public high schools	33.3%		49.6	1009^th of 2159 public high schools	53.3%	432				27.3	27.3			31.5	31.5			2.2	2.2
Ocsa	Public, Charter	7-12	1010 North Main St.	Santa Ana	92701	Orange County	OCSA District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 560-9000	2,346	130	18.0	15.8%	537 (22.9%)	17 (0.7%)	487 (20.8%)	1,019 (43.4%)	3 (0.1%)	9 (0.4%)	246 (10.5%)	96.9	59^th of 2162 public high schools	97.3%		98.2	37^th of 2159 public high schools	98.3%	22	68.3	63.7			65.5	83.6	81.7	85.1	83.7	73.1	73.9	65.5	69.9	$43,188	$42,968	$220
Santa Ana High	Public	9-12	520 West Walnut	Santa Ana	92701	Orange County	Santa Ana Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 567-4900	2,505	127	19.7	90.6%	10 (0.4%)	2 (0.1%)	2,474 (98.8%)	8 (0.3%)	7 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.1%)	33.7	1408^th of 2162 public high schools	34.9%		33.2	1418^th of 2159 public high schools	34.3%	10			17.4	0.0	16.9			41.6	41.6			14.8	14.8	$27,618	$26,612	$1,006
Santiago High	Public	9-12	12342 Trask Ave.	Garden Grove	92843	Orange County	Garden Grove Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 663-6215	1,664	84	19.8	92.1%	25 (1.5%)	4 (0.2%)	1,389 (83.5%)	222 (13.3%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.4%)	17 (1.0%)	66	675^th of 2162 public high schools	68.8%		53.9	906^th of 2159 public high schools	58.0%	231			38.9	9.1	38.0			57.8	57.8			29.3	29.3	$28,460	$25,988	$2,472
Lorin Griset Academy	Public	9-12	1915 West McFadden	Santa Ana	92704	Orange County	Santa Ana Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 648-2900	283	17	16.3	93.6%	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	279 (98.6%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9.9	2024^th of 2162 public high schools	6.4%		9.8	2084^th of 2159 public high schools	3.5%	60			2.9		2.7			11.6	11.6			2.4	2.4	$36,289	$35,616	$673
Vista Meridian Global Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	1300 S. Bristol St.	Santa Ana	92704	Orange County	Vista Meridian Global Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 988-2719	260	11	24.7	99.2%	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.5%)	252 (96.9%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.2%)								(n/a)		5.7			5.2			23.6	23.6			0.0	0.0	$40,596	$39,752	$844
REACH Academy	Public	6-12	1325 East 4th St.	Santa Ana	92701	Orange County	Santa Ana Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 431-1800	36	7	4.9	94.4%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)					0.0				6.3				6.3
Unity Middle College High	Public, Charter	9-12	1937 West Chapman Ave.	Orange	92868	Orange County	Unity Middle College High District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 473-0723	57	5	11.2	59.6%	8 (14.0%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (75.4%)	3 (5.3%)	1 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.8%)	22.5	1639^th of 2162 public high schools	24.2%		21.9	1654^th of 2159 public high schools	23.4%	15								9.1	9.1			18.2	18.2

Frequently Asked Questions about Middle College High

What district is Middle College High in?

Santa Ana Unified

How many students attend Middle College High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 448 students attended Middle College High.

Is Middle College High a good school?

Yes! Middle College High is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 66^th of 2162 California high schools.

What is the racial makeup of Middle College High?

Students at Middle College High are 90% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 2% White.

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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.