Best Schools in Lake Elsinore, California
26 schools · 13 Elementary · 3 Middle · 8 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Lake Elsinore?
Use this page to compare every school in Lake Elsinore 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.
Herk Bouris Elementary
Elementary · Menifee Union. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Temescal Canyon High
High · Lake Elsinore Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Cottonwood Canyon Elementary
Elementary · Lake Elsinore Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lake Elsinore for 2026 are Herk Bouris Elementary (7.6/10), Temescal Canyon High (7.2/10), and Cottonwood Canyon Elementary (5.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 19 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
26
19 public · 7 private
Avg Score
4.6
out of 10
Median Home
$510,250
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
26
19 public · 7 private
Avg Score
4.6
out of 10
Median Home
$510,250
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 7.6/10 despite 63% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.4 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 Lake Elsinore schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +8.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Lake Elsinore schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Lake Elsinore
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (19 of 26). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herk Bouris Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Temescal Canyon High | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Cottonwood Canyon Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Canyon Lake Middle | 5.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Rice Canyon Elementary | 5.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Lakeside High | 5.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Tuscany Hills Elementary | 5.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Keith Mccarthy Academy | 4.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Ortega High | 4.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy | 4.3 / 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
- 4.6/10
- Median household income
- $98,273
- Median home value
- $510,250
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 42 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
11% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lake Elsinore compares
California rank
#577 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.7
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$98k
99% of California median
Schools in this city
19
About Schools in Lake Elsinore, California
Lake Elsinore operates 19 ranked public schools through the Lake Elsinore Unified School District, with an average score of 5.5 out of 10 across the system. That midpoint average masks real variation — only 2 schools, or 11% of the district, clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, so school selection within the city matters more than the district label alone.
The strongest performers are concentrated at the elementary level. Cottonwood Canyon Elementary leads the city at 7.3 out of 10, making it the top-rated public school in Lake Elsinore. Herk Bouris Elementary follows closely at 7.2, and both sit meaningfully above the citywide average. Railroad Canyon Elementary (6.8) and Rice Canyon Elementary (6.1) round out the upper tier of the elementary options. Parents with younger children have the clearest path to above-average schools — the top four rated schools in the city are all elementary campuses.
The picture shifts at the secondary level. Temescal Canyon High School ties Railroad Canyon at 6.8, making it the strongest-rated high school in the ranked set and one of the few secondary campuses that holds its own against the elementary leaders. Parents planning ahead should map their home address to Temescal Canyon's attendance boundary if secondary performance is a priority — it stands out in a district where most secondary campuses fall below the 6.0 mark.
Practically, Lake Elsinore's school landscape rewards early homework. The gap between the top two elementary schools (7.2–7.3) and the citywide average (5.5) is nearly two full points, which signals that geography within the city meaningfully shapes a child's school assignment. Families moving to Lake Elsinore should search by specific elementary attendance zone, not just zip code, and confirm feeder patterns into middle and high school before committing to a neighborhood. With only 2 of 19 schools scoring above 7.0, the higher-rated options are in genuine demand — proximity and enrollment timelines are worth confirming early.
Elementary Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 796 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 811 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.6 |
| 3 | 610 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.3 |
| 4 | 610 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 |
| 5 | 442 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.3 |
| 6 | 825 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.0 |
| 7 | 491 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.9 |
| 8 | 850 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.5 |
| 9 | 866 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.5 |
| 10 | 456 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.4 |
Show all 13 elementary schools in Lake Elsinore
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 970 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 2 | 937 students · 6th–8th | 3.6 |
| 3 | 1,064 students · 6th–8th | 3.4 |
High Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,248 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 1,657 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 3 | 488 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Lefebvre Family Home SchoolPrivate 8 students · Kindergarten–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Expectations AcademyPrivate 7 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | LiberecoPrivate 69 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Doulos Christian AcademyPrivate 7 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 9 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 470 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.9 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Lefebvre Family Home SchoolPrivate 9 students · 1st–11th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Lake Elsinore
Lake Elsinore, California · 26 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$98,273
Median Home Value
$510,250
Median Rent
$2,145/mo
Population
88,145
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
42 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Community Profile
Lake Elsinore has a median household income of $98,273. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $510,250, with a median rent of $2,145/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 42 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 13
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 8
- Other
- 2
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 Lake Elsinore, California
How many schools are in Lake Elsinore, California?
Lake Elsinore has 26 schools, including 19 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lake Elsinore, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lake Elsinore is 4.6 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 Lake Elsinore, California?
The top-ranked school in Lake Elsinore on MySchoolScout is Herk Bouris Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lake Elsinore, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lake Elsinore on MySchoolScout is Herk Bouris Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Lake Elsinore, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Lake Elsinore on MySchoolScout is Canyon Lake Middle with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Lake Elsinore, California?
The top-ranked high school in Lake Elsinore on MySchoolScout is Temescal Canyon High with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Lake Elsinore, California?
Lake Elsinore is served by 3 school districts: Lake Elsinore Unified, Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy District, Menifee Union.
What is the education level in Lake Elsinore, California?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Lake Elsinore have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lake Elsinore, California?
The median household income in Lake Elsinore is approximately $98,273 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lake Elsinore, California?
Yes, Lake Elsinore has 7 private schools alongside 19 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lake Elsinore, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lake Elsinore is 19.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lake Elsinore, 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
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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.