Best Schools in Aliso Viejo, California
17 schools · 12 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Aliso Viejo?
Use this page to compare every school in Aliso Viejo by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Canyon Vista Elementary
Elementary · Capistrano Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Wood Canyon Elementary
Elementary · Capistrano Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Aliso Niguel High
High · Capistrano Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Aliso Viejo for 2026 are Canyon Vista Elementary (9.0/10), Wood Canyon Elementary (7.9/10), and Aliso Niguel High (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
17
10 public · 7 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$940,800
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
17
10 public · 7 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$940,800
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 9.0/10 despite 17% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.0 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Aliso Viejo schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +7.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Aliso Viejo schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Aliso Viejo
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 rated schools; 17 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canyon Vista Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Wood Canyon Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Aliso Niguel High | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Aliso Viejo Middle | 7.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Oak Grove Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Don Juan Avila Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Don Juan Avila Middle | 6.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley | 5.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County | 4.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Journey | 4.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $133,690
- Median home value
- $940,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
36% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Aliso Viejo compares
California rank
#287 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$134k
134% of California median
Schools in this city
14
Capistrano Unified runs 70% of Aliso Viejo's public schools
Aliso Viejo touches 4 districts, but Capistrano Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
Capistrano Unified accounts for 7 of 10 public schools (70%). The other 3 districts hold the remaining 3.
Among 10 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.1 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Aliso Viejo, not a citywide average.
- Capistrano Unified7 public · 70%
- Journey District1 public · 10%
- Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley District1 public · 10%
- Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County District1 public · 10%
About Schools in Aliso Viejo, California
Aliso Viejo, California is home to 17 schools, including 10 public schools and 7 private schools. The city's schools span 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Aliso Viejo show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Aliso Viejo is Canyon Vista Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Aliso Viejo is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 42,596 students.
Aliso Viejo's community shows 54% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $133,690. The poverty rate in the area is 5.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 508 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 | ||
| 2 | 410 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 3 | 584 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 4 | 675 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 5 | 509 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 6 | 660 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.4 | ||
| 7 | 591 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.1 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Vandamme AcademyPrivate 132 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Aliso Viejo Christian SchoolPrivate 382 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | St Mary's SchoolPrivate 763 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 12 elementary schools in Aliso Viejo
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 799 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 891 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,608 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Fusion Alisa ViejoPrivate 64 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Fusion Academy - Aliso ViejoPrivate 38 students · 5th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Aliso Viejo
Aliso Viejo, California · 17 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$133,690
Median Home Value
$940,800
Median Rent
$2,667/mo
Population
108,459
College Educated
54%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Community Profile
Aliso Viejo has a median household income of $133,690. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $940,800, with a median rent of $2,667/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 12
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
Resources
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Aliso Viejo, California
How many schools are in Aliso Viejo, California?
Aliso Viejo has 17 schools, including 10 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Aliso Viejo, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Aliso Viejo is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Aliso Viejo, California?
The top-ranked school in Aliso Viejo on MySchoolScout is Canyon Vista Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Aliso Viejo, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Aliso Viejo on MySchoolScout is Canyon Vista Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Aliso Viejo, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Aliso Viejo on MySchoolScout is Aliso Viejo Middle with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best high school in Aliso Viejo, California?
The top-ranked high school in Aliso Viejo on MySchoolScout is Aliso Niguel High with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Aliso Viejo, California?
Aliso Viejo is served by 4 school districts: Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley District, Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County District, Journey District, Capistrano Unified.
What is the education level in Aliso Viejo, California?
According to Census data, 54% of adults in Aliso Viejo have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Aliso Viejo, California?
The median household income in Aliso Viejo is approximately $133,690 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Aliso Viejo, California?
Yes, Aliso Viejo has 7 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is Vandamme Academy with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Aliso Viejo, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Aliso Viejo is 17.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Aliso Viejo, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
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- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.