Best Schools in Lake Forest, California
21 schools · 16 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Lake Forest?
Use this page to compare every school in Lake Forest 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.
EL Toro High
High · Saddleback Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
La Madera Elementary
Elementary · Saddleback Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Santiago Steam Magnet Elementary
Elementary · Saddleback Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lake Forest for 2026 are EL Toro High (7.0/10), La Madera Elementary (6.2/10), and Santiago Steam Magnet Elementary (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
21
8 public · 13 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$898,950
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
21
8 public · 13 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$898,950
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 7.0/10 despite 51% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.1 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 Forest schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +10.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Lake Forest schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Lake Forest
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 rated schools; 21 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | EL Toro High | 7.0 / 10 |
| 2 | La Madera Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Santiago Steam Magnet Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Serrano Intermediate | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Lake Forest Elementary | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Ralph A. Gates Dli Magnet Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Olivewood Elementary | 5.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Rancho Canada Elementary | 5.2 / 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
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $150,586
- Median home value
- $898,950
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 56%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lake Forest compares
California rank
#353 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$151k
151% of California median
Schools in this city
12
Saddleback Valley Unified runs Lake Forest's public schools
8 public schools. Saddleback Valley Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Lake Forest is a Saddleback Valley Unified school (8 of 8).
Among 8 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.2 to 7.0 — the spread is inside Lake Forest, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Lake Forest, California
Lake Forest, California is home to 21 schools, including 8 public schools and 13 private schools. The city's schools span 16 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest is Montessori on the Lake with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lake Forest is served by 1 school district: Saddleback Valley Unified. These districts collectively serve 23,199 students.
Lake Forest's community shows 56% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $150,586. The poverty rate in the area is 6.2%.
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
16 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 602 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 | ||
| 2 | 497 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | 688 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.9 | ||
| 4 | 908 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.6 | ||
| 5 | 412 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 | ||
| 6 | 630 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 | ||
Private Schools10 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Montessori on the LakePrivate 103 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Grace Christian SchoolsPrivate 178 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 234 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Bella Montessori SchoolsPrivate 9 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Show all 16 elementary schools in Lake Forest
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 | 887 students · 7th–8th | 6.0 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 9 students · 1st–1st | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,972 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Foundation on the RockPrivate 7 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian School, HeritagePrivate 271 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Lake Forest
Lake Forest, California · 21 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$150,586
Median Home Value
$898,950
Median Rent
$2,867/mo
Population
79,643
College Educated
56%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Community Profile
Lake Forest has a median household income of $150,586. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $898,950, with a median rent of $2,867/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% 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
- 16
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Forest, California
How many schools are in Lake Forest, California?
Lake Forest has 21 schools, including 8 public and 13 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lake Forest, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lake Forest is 6.2 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 Forest, California?
The top-ranked school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is EL Toro High with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lake Forest, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is La Madera Elementary with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Lake Forest, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is Serrano Intermediate with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best high school in Lake Forest, California?
The top-ranked high school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is EL Toro High with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Lake Forest, California?
Lake Forest is served by 1 school district: Saddleback Valley Unified.
What is the education level in Lake Forest, California?
According to Census data, 56% of adults in Lake Forest have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lake Forest, California?
The median household income in Lake Forest is approximately $150,586 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lake Forest, California?
Yes, Lake Forest has 13 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Montessori on the Lake with a score of 8.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lake Forest, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lake Forest is 15.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lake Forest, 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 School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- 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.