Best Schools in Lake Forest, California
20 schools · 17 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $150,586
- Median home value
- $898,950
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 56%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
40% 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
#295 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$151k
151% of California median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Lake Forest, California
Lake Forest, California is home to 20 schools, including 8 public schools and 12 private schools. The city's schools span 17 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Lake Forest show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Lake Forest is Santiago Steam Magnet Elementary with a composite score of 7.7/10, 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
17 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 497 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 412 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | 688 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.5 | ||
| 4 | 602 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.4 | ||
| 5 | 630 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.1 | ||
| 6 | 908 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 11 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 LAKE
Private
78 students · Kindergarten–7th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
Private
178 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Rahma Academy
Private
28 students · 1st–7th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | CROWN Virtual Christian Academy
Private
6 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Fulbright Montessori Academy
Private
11 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Abiding Savior Lutheran School
Private
245 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Montessori on the Lake
Private
99 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | FULBRIGHT MONTESSORI ACADEMY
Private
20 students · Kindergarten–1st | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Private
16 students · Pre-K–2nd | Not Rated | ||
| 10 | LAKE FOREST MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Private
17 students · Pre-K–1st | Not Rated | ||
| 11 | BELLA MONTESSORI SCHOOLS
Private
10 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 887 students · 7th–8th | 7.1 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,972 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 | Foundation on the Rock
Private
6 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Lake Forest
Lake Forest, California · 20 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.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 20
- Elementary
- 17
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 6.4/10
Resources
School District
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 Lake Forest, California
How many schools are in Lake Forest, California?
Lake Forest has 20 schools, including 8 public and 12 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 6.4 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Lake Forest, California?
The top-ranked school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is Santiago Steam Magnet Elementary with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lake Forest, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is Santiago Steam Magnet Elementary with a composite score of 7.7/10.
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 7.1/10.
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 7.1/10.
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 12 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Montessori on the Lake with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lake Forest, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lake Forest is 14.9:1. 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 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.