Orange County Schools & Education
Orange County, California
School Score
67/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,701
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,762
School Score
67/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
State School Rank
#7
of 58 counties (1 = best)
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Education Overview
About Schools in Orange County, California
Massive Scale in Orange County Schools
Orange County boasts a massive education system with 636 public schools and 69 districts serving over 441,000 students. The infrastructure is robust, featuring 409 elementary schools, 87 middle schools, and 108 high schools.
Elite Performance and Efficient Spending
Orange County delivers an exceptional 91.2% graduation rate, far surpassing the state average of 87.5%. Its school score of 57.8 is among the highest in the region, achieved with a lean per-pupil expenditure of $8,701.
Suburban Powerhouse Districts
Capistrano Unified and Santa Ana Unified are the largest districts, each serving roughly 40,000 students. The county also hosts 40 charter schools, including the massive California Connections Academy with over 5,100 students.
Large Campuses in Suburban Settings
With 338 suburban schools, the average campus size is a significant 705 students. Large high schools like Fountain Valley and Santa Ana High serve over 3,100 students each, offering vast extracurricular and academic programs.
Live Near Orange County's Top Schools
Families flock to Orange County for its high-performing suburban districts and record-breaking graduation rates. Exploring homes in Irvine, Huntington Beach, or Mission Viejo places you in some of the most sought-after school zones in the nation.
School Overview
Total Schools
636
in Orange County
Total Enrollment
441,040
students
School Districts
69
districts
Charter Schools
40
6% of total
School Type Breakdown
69 School Districts in Orange County
Capistrano Unified
Santa Ana Unified
Garden Grove Unified
Irvine Unified
Anaheim Union High
Orange Unified
Saddleback Valley Unified
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified
Tustin Unified
Newport-Mesa Unified
636 Public Schools in Orange County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Connections Academy Southern California | California Connections Academy Southern California District | KG–12 | Charter | 5,141 |
| Fountain Valley High | Huntington Beach Union High | 9–12 | High | 3,180 |
| Santa Ana High | Santa Ana Unified | 9–12 | High | 3,135 |
| Los Alamitos High | Los Alamitos Unified | 9–12 | High | 3,055 |
| San Juan Hills High | Capistrano Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,857 |
| San Clemente High | Capistrano Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,838 |
| Cypress High | Anaheim Union High | 9–12 | High | 2,820 |
| Huntington Beach High | Huntington Beach Union High | 9–12 | High | 2,807 |
| Arnold O. Beckman High | Tustin Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,798 |
| Aliso Niguel High | Capistrano Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,774 |
| Anaheim High | Anaheim Union High | 9–12 | High | 2,750 |
| Westminster High | Huntington Beach Union High | 9–12 | High | 2,637 |
| Katella High | Anaheim Union High | 9–12 | High | 2,587 |
| Troy High | Fullerton Joint Union High | 9–12 | High | 2,584 |
| Trabuco Hills High | Saddleback Valley Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,579 |
| Valencia High | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,543 |
| Segerstrom High | Santa Ana Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,489 |
| Sunny Hills High | Fullerton Joint Union High | 9–12 | High | 2,429 |
| Portola High | Irvine Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,293 |
| Foothill High | Tustin Unified | 9–12 | High | 2,276 |
California Connections Academy Southern California District
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,701
State avg $8,762
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Orange County, California — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Orange County, California?
Orange County boasts a massive education system with 636 public schools and 69 districts serving over 441,000 students. The infrastructure is robust, featuring 409 elementary schools, 87 middle schools, and 108 high schools.
How do schools in Orange County perform academically?
Orange County delivers an exceptional 91.2% graduation rate, far surpassing the state average of 87.5%. Its school score of 57.8 is among the highest in the region, achieved with a lean per-pupil expenditure of $8,701.
What are the major school districts in Orange County, California?
Capistrano Unified and Santa Ana Unified are the largest districts, each serving roughly 40,000 students. The county also hosts 40 charter schools, including the massive California Connections Academy with over 5,100 students.
What is the school experience like in Orange County?
With 338 suburban schools, the average campus size is a significant 705 students. Large high schools like Fountain Valley and Santa Ana High serve over 3,100 students each, offering vast extracurricular and academic programs.
How can I find homes near good schools in Orange County, California?
Families flock to Orange County for its high-performing suburban districts and record-breaking graduation rates. Exploring homes in Irvine, Huntington Beach, or Mission Viejo places you in some of the most sought-after school zones in the nation.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.