Best Schools in San Clemente, California
19 schools · 10 Elementary · 5 Middle · 4 High
Choosing a school in San Clemente?
Use this page to compare every school in San Clemente 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.
Truman Benedict Elementary
Elementary · Capistrano Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Shorecliffs Middle
Middle · Capistrano Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Bernice Ayer Middle
Middle · Capistrano Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in San Clemente for 2026 are Truman Benedict Elementary (9.0/10), Shorecliffs Middle (8.5/10), and Bernice Ayer Middle (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 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
19
11 public · 8 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$1,223,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
19
11 public · 8 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$1,223,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.5/10 despite 45% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.0 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 San Clemente schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +14.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among San Clemente schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in San Clemente
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 11 rated schools; 19 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Truman Benedict Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Shorecliffs Middle | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Bernice Ayer Middle | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Concordia Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | San Clemente High | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Las Palmas Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Vista Del Mar Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Vista Del Mar Middle | 7.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Clarence Lobo Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 10 | San Onofre Elementary | 7.1 / 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
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $145,034
- Median home value
- $1,223,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 52%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
83% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How San Clemente compares
California rank
#34 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$145k
145% of California median
Schools in this city
12
Capistrano Unified runs 91% of San Clemente's public schools
San Clemente touches 2 districts, but Capistrano Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
Capistrano Unified accounts for 10 of 11 public schools (91%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 11 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.0 to 9.0 — the spread is inside San Clemente, not a citywide average.
- Capistrano Unified10 public · 91%
- Fallbrook Union Elementary1 public · 9%
About Schools in San Clemente, California
San Clemente, California is home to 19 schools, including 11 public schools and 8 private schools. The city's schools span 10 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in San Clemente perform strongly 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 San Clemente is Truman Benedict Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
San Clemente is served by 2 school districts: Capistrano Unified, Fallbrook Union Elementary. These districts collectively serve 45,960 students.
San Clemente's community shows 52% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $145,034. 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
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 590 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 | ||
| 2 | 501 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 3 | 748 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 4 | 727 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 5 | 335 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 6 | 526 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.1 | ||
| 7 | 218 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.0 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Our Lady of Fatima SchoolPrivate 178 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 9 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 194 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 679 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 878 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 | ||
| 3 | 529 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 22 students · 1st–7th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | The TogethershipPrivate 173 students · 6th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,765 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Native Surf and SnowPrivate 25 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Anchored in Grace AcademyPrivate 6 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Talega Preparatory AcademyPrivate 198 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in San Clemente
San Clemente, California · 19 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$145,034
Median Home Value
$1,223,800
Median Rent
$2,891/mo
Population
67,298
College Educated
52%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Community Profile
San Clemente has a median household income of $145,034. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,223,800, with a median rent of $2,891/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 5
- High
- 4
Resources
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 San Clemente, California
How many schools are in San Clemente, California?
San Clemente has 19 schools, including 11 public and 8 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Clemente, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Clemente is 7.5 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 San Clemente, California?
The top-ranked school in San Clemente on MySchoolScout is Truman Benedict Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Clemente, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Clemente on MySchoolScout is Truman Benedict Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in San Clemente, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Clemente on MySchoolScout is Shorecliffs Middle with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best high school in San Clemente, California?
The top-ranked high school in San Clemente on MySchoolScout is San Clemente High with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve San Clemente, California?
San Clemente is served by 2 school districts: Capistrano Unified, Fallbrook Union Elementary.
What is the education level in San Clemente, California?
According to Census data, 52% of adults in San Clemente have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Clemente, California?
The median household income in San Clemente is approximately $145,034 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in San Clemente, California?
Yes, San Clemente has 8 private schools alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is Our Lady of Fatima School with a score of 5.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Clemente, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Clemente is 20.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Clemente, 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.