Best Schools in Laguna Niguel, California
20 schools · 18 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $140,605
- Median home value
- $1,123,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 59%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Laguna Niguel compares
California rank
#199 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$141k
141% of California median
Schools in this city
13
About Schools in Laguna Niguel, California
Laguna Niguel, California is home to 20 schools, including 9 public schools and 11 private schools. The city's schools span 18 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.7 out of 10, schools in Laguna Niguel show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Laguna Niguel is Niguel Hills Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Laguna Niguel is served by 3 school districts: Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts District, Community Roots Academy District, Capistrano Unified. These districts collectively serve 41,845 students.
Laguna Niguel's community shows 59% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $140,605. The poverty rate in the area is 5.9%.
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
18 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 397 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 223 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 | ||
| 3 | 486 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 4 | 551 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 5 | 786 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 6 | 390 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 7 | 530 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 8 | 317 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.5 | ||
| Private Schools 10 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | MCDOWELL SCHOOL
Private
78 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | LAGUNA NIGUEL MONTESSORI CENTER
Private
55 students · Pre-K–1st | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | LAGUNA NIGUEL JR ACADEMY
Private
44 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Private
37 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Stratford School Laguna Niguel
Private
35 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Mission Lutheran School
Private
20 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy
Private
25 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | KIE Montessori
Private
21 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | MONTESSORI OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
Private
3 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 10 | KENSINGTON MONTESSORRI SCHOOL
Private
18 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 733 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Armenta Learning Academy
Private
10 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated |
Schools in Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel, California · 20 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$140,605
Median Home Value
$1,123,000
Median Rent
$2,819/mo
Population
64,023
College Educated
59%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Community Profile
Laguna Niguel has a median household income of $140,605. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,123,000, with a median rent of $2,819/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 20
- Elementary
- 18
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Districts
- 3
- Avg Rating
- 6.7/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Laguna Niguel, California
How many schools are in Laguna Niguel, California?
Laguna Niguel has 20 schools, including 9 public and 11 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Laguna Niguel, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Laguna Niguel is 6.7 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Laguna Niguel, California?
The top-ranked school in Laguna Niguel on MySchoolScout is Niguel Hills Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Laguna Niguel, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Laguna Niguel on MySchoolScout is Laguna Niguel Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Laguna Niguel, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Laguna Niguel on MySchoolScout is Niguel Hills Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10.
How many school districts serve Laguna Niguel, California?
Laguna Niguel is served by 3 school districts: Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts District, Community Roots Academy District, Capistrano Unified.
What is the education level in Laguna Niguel, California?
According to Census data, 59% of adults in Laguna Niguel have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Laguna Niguel, California?
The median household income in Laguna Niguel is approximately $140,605 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Laguna Niguel, California?
Yes, Laguna Niguel has 11 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mcdowell School with a score of 7.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Laguna Niguel, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Laguna Niguel is 13.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Laguna Niguel, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.