Best Schools in Laguna Hills, California
9 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Laguna Hills?
Use this page to compare every school in Laguna Hills 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.
Guidepost at Las Flores
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Valencia Elementary
Elementary · Saddleback Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Laguna Hills High
High · Saddleback Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Laguna Hills for 2026 are Guidepost at Las Flores (7.5/10), Valencia Elementary (7.2/10), and Laguna Hills High (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
9
4 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$978,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
4 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$978,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Laguna Hills schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Laguna Hills
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guidepost at Las Flores | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Valencia Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Laguna Hills High | 7.1 / 10 |
| 4 | New Vista School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Lomarena Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 6 | San Joaquin Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Pathway School Inc. | 5.9 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $128,623
- Median home value
- $978,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
57% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Laguna Hills compares
California rank
#196 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$129k
129% of California median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Laguna Hills, California
Laguna Hills, California is home to 9 schools, including 4 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Laguna Hills show moderate performance 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 Laguna Hills is Guidepost at Las Flores with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Laguna Hills is served by 1 school district: Saddleback Valley Unified. These districts collectively serve 23,199 students.
Laguna Hills's community shows 53% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $128,623. The poverty rate in the area is 8.0%.
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
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 524 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 525 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | 229 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.0 | ||
| 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 | Guidepost at Las Flores
Private
42 students · Pre-K–TK | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | Pathway School, Inc.
Private
37 students · 3rd–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Guidepost Montessori at Alicia
Private
5 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathway School Inc.
Private
44 students · 3rd–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,401 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | New Vista School
Private
73 students · 6th–12th | 7.1 | ||
Schools in Laguna Hills
Laguna Hills, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$128,623
Median Home Value
$978,400
Median Rent
$2,637/mo
Population
29,596
College Educated
53%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Community Profile
Laguna Hills has a median household income of $128,623. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $978,400, with a median rent of $2,637/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
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 Laguna Hills, California
How many schools are in Laguna Hills, California?
Laguna Hills has 9 schools, including 4 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Laguna Hills, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Laguna Hills is 6.8 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 Laguna Hills, California?
The top-ranked school in Laguna Hills on MySchoolScout is Guidepost at Las Flores with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Laguna Hills, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Laguna Hills on MySchoolScout is Guidepost at Las Flores with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Laguna Hills, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Laguna Hills on MySchoolScout is Pathway School Inc. with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Laguna Hills, California?
The top-ranked high school in Laguna Hills on MySchoolScout is Laguna Hills High with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Laguna Hills, California?
Laguna Hills is served by 1 school district: Saddleback Valley Unified.
What is the education level in Laguna Hills, California?
According to Census data, 53% of adults in Laguna Hills have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Laguna Hills, California?
The median household income in Laguna Hills is approximately $128,623 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Laguna Hills, California?
Yes, Laguna Hills has 5 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Guidepost at Las Flores with a score of 7.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Laguna Hills, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Laguna Hills is 12.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Laguna Hills, 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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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.