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Needs Improvement

#9485 of 9,533 schools in CA

California Connections Academy Southern California

School · California Connections Academy Southern California District

33272 Valle Rd., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Charter Virtual

Enrollment

5,189

Student-Teacher

31.1:1

Score

2.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Juan Capistrano

#11 of 12

public schools

California schools

#471 of 475

About California Connections Academy Southern California

California Connections Academy Southern California serves 5,189 students from kindergarten through 12th grade as a charter school based in San Juan Capistrano. With 167 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 31.1:1, reflecting the virtual learning model that allows students to learn from home while receiving structured educational support. The school currently has room for academic growth, with 36% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and 21% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These results place the school at #7502 among California's 9566 schools, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. As an online public school option, California Connections Academy provides families with an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar education. The school draws students from Orange County's diverse communities, including the affluent San Juan Capistrano area where the median household income reaches $123,474 and 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding 92675 ZIP code features a median home value of $888,200 and maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.1%. California Connections Academy operates within this large suburban setting, offering flexible online learning opportunities to families throughout Southern California.

What's said publicly about California Connections Academy Southern California

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

California Connections Academy at Springs is a tuition-free online public school program serving students in California 1 . The school offers education for grades TK through 10, with grades 11 and 12 available only to students already enrolled at the institution who advance from the previous grade 1 . The curriculum is state-aligned and includes both teacher-led and self-guided lessons 1 . Academic offerings include honors courses, special education services, NCAA-approved courses, and dual enrollment opportunities 1 . The school provides summer school for some subjects and grade levels 1 . Students have access to clubs and activities, including Connections eSports, the National Honor Society, and field trips throughout California 1 . Participation in sports with local schools is available as offered and with local district approval 1 . The program employs state-certified teachers who provide one-on-one support 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.connectionsacademy.com
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

California Connections Academy Southern California is a large school with 5,189 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at California Connections Academy Southern California is 31.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

California Connections Academy Southern California is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.8%
Math vs. State Avg-26 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.3Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio31.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,194

California Connections Academy Southern California — Students at California Connections Academy Southern California score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 21.6%
School
State
35.7%
ELA Proficiency 42.3%
School
State
47.1%

Based on 20 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
26%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2024
Math
20.6%
ELA
36%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.4/10.

How California Connections Academy Southern California Compares

See how California Connections Academy Southern California performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.7/10
1th percentile in CA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
1.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
31:1 student-teacher ratio
167 teachers

Location

33272 Valle Rd., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering California Connections Academy Southern California may also want to explore other schools in the area. FOUNDATIONS COGNITIVE SCHOOLS (rated 5.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (rated 4.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Juan Capistrano, see our San Juan Capistrano schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Capistrano Home/Virtual San Juan Capistrano 0.4 mi 4.8
California Preparatory Academy San Juan Capistrano 0.4 mi 7.5
West River Academy Dana Point 0.7 mi
Marco Forster Middle San Juan Capistrano 0.8 mi 7.0
Del Obispo Elementary San Juan Capistrano 0.8 mi 8.2
Kinoshita Elementary San Juan Capistrano 0.9 mi 5.1
Palisades Elementary Capistrano Beach 1.2 mi 9.1
ST EDWARD PARISH SCHOOL Dana Point 1.2 mi 5.6
ST EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PARISH SCHOOL Dana Point 1.2 mi 5.7
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano 1.4 mi 4.9
St. Edward the Confessor Parish School Dana Point 1.2 mi
FOUNDATIONS COGNITIVE SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano 1.5 mi 5.1
Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano Covina 1.5 mi 7.3
THE JOHNSON ACADEMY San Juan Capistrano 1.7 mi 5.2
MISSION BASILICA SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 1.8 mi 6.4
Mission Basilica School San Juan Capistrano 1.8 mi
San Juan Elementary San Juan Capistrano 1.9 mi 3.0
Bridges Community Day San Juan Capistrano 1.9 mi
OCASA College Prep San Juan Capistrano 1.9 mi 6.9
Capistrano Union High San Juan Capistrano 2.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92675 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,893

Median Home Value

$929,700

Median Rent

$2,500/mo

Population

34,998

College Educated

42.3%

Homeownership

78.5%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

44.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding California Connections Academy Southern California has a median household income of $127,893. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $929,700, with a median rent of $2,500/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
California Innovative Career Academy Sacramento, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about California Connections Academy Southern California

What grades does California Connections Academy Southern California serve?

California Connections Academy Southern California serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend California Connections Academy Southern California?

California Connections Academy Southern California has an enrollment of approximately 5,189 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at California Connections Academy Southern California?

The student-teacher ratio at California Connections Academy Southern California is 31.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does California Connections Academy Southern California rank in CA?

California Connections Academy Southern California is ranked #9485 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is California Connections Academy Southern California's MySchoolScout rating?

California Connections Academy Southern California has a composite rating of 2.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at California Connections Academy Southern California?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, California Connections Academy Southern California has 21.6% math proficiency and 42.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is California Connections Academy Southern California a charter school?

Yes, California Connections Academy Southern California is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is California Connections Academy Southern California a Title I school?

No, California Connections Academy Southern California is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for California Connections Academy Southern California?

55.5% of students at California Connections Academy Southern California qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,291/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Juan Capistrano). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
5,189
Student-Teacher Ratio
31.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
167
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

California Connections Academy Southern California District
District Enrollment
5,189
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,334
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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