Best Schools in Aliso Viejo, California
20 schools · 14 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 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; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Oak Grove Elementary
Elementary · Capistrano Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Don Juan Avila Middle
Middle · Capistrano Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Aliso Viejo for 2026 are Canyon Vista Elementary (8.8/10), Oak Grove Elementary (8.5/10), and Don Juan Avila Middle (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 16 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
20
10 public · 10 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$940,800
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
20
10 public · 10 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$940,800
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 8.5/10 despite 33% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 0.6 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 (16 of 20). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canyon Vista Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Oak Grove Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Don Juan Avila Middle | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley | 8.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County | 8.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Aliso Viejo Middle | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Don Juan Avila Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Aliso Niguel High | 7.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Journey | 7.3 / 10 |
| 10 | The Discovery Preparatory School | 7.0 / 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
- 7.4/10
- Median household income
- $133,690
- Median home value
- $940,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
63% 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
#95 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$134k
134% of California median
Schools in this city
16
About Schools in Aliso Viejo, California
Aliso Viejo, California is home to 20 schools, including 10 public schools and 10 private schools. The city's schools span 14 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.4 out of 10, schools in Aliso Viejo perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which 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 8.8/10, 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
14 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 508 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 | ||
| 2 | 584 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 3 | 509 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 | ||
| 4 | 660 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 5 | 675 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 6 | 591 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.3 | ||
| 7 | 410 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 | ||
| Private Schools 7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Vandamme Academy
Private
132 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | Academy on the Hill
Private
30 students · Kindergarten–1st | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | Aliso Viejo Christian School
Private
396 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.7 | ||
Show all 14 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 | 891 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 2 | 799 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,608 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Discovery Preparatory School
Private
34 students · 6th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | Fusion Alisa Viejo
Private
64 students · 7th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 3 | Fusion Academy - Aliso Viejo
Private
28 students · 5th–12th | — | ||
Schools in Aliso Viejo
Aliso Viejo, California · 20 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
- 14
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
Resources
Nearby Cities
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 20 schools, including 10 public and 10 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 7.4 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 8.8/10.
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 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Aliso Viejo, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Aliso Viejo on MySchoolScout is Don Juan Avila Middle with a composite score of 8.5/10.
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 7.9/10.
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 10 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Discovery Preparatory School with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Aliso Viejo, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Aliso Viejo is 16.5:1. 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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.