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#5259 of 9,533 schools in CA

Capistrano Union High

High School · Capistrano Unified

31422 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Enrollment

115

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Juan Capistrano

#7 of 12

public schools

California high schools

#1,110 of 1,892

In district

#50 of 57

Capistrano Unified

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Capistrano Union High

Capistrano Union High is an alternative high school located in San Juan Capistrano, California, within Orange County. Situated at 31422 Camino Capistrano, the school serves students from grades 9 through 12 with a student body of just 115 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, ensuring personalized attention for each learner. The faculty consists of 12 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting students in their educational journey.

Capistrano Union High focuses on providing alternative education options, which may be particularly beneficial for students seeking a non-traditional learning environment. With MySchoolScout’s rating at 3.5 out of 10 and state ranking #7773 out of 9566 schools in California, the academic performance shows room for improvement, with only 1% of students meeting proficiency standards in math and 19% in ELA/Reading across all grades. Despite these challenges, the school continues to support its diverse student population.

Located in a large suburban area, Capistrano Union High benefits from being part of a vibrant community that offers various resources and opportunities for student development beyond traditional classroom settings.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 115 students, Capistrano Union High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Capistrano Union High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Capistrano Union High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-38.9 pts
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-17.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,458

Capistrano Union High — Students at Capistrano Union High score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 1.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2024
ELA
17%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Capistrano Union High Compares

See how Capistrano Union High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in CA
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

31422 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Capistrano Union High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Covina), which scores notably higher. Another option is OCASA College Prep (rated 6.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.5/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Juan Capistrano, see our San Juan Capistrano schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
OCASA College Prep San Juan Capistrano 0.2 mi 6.9
Mission Basilica School San Juan Capistrano 0.2 mi
Bridges Community Day San Juan Capistrano 0.2 mi
MISSION BASILICA SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 0.2 mi 6.4
San Juan Elementary San Juan Capistrano 0.3 mi 3.0
MARBELLA MONTESSORI San Juan Capistrano 0.4 mi
Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano Covina 0.6 mi 7.3
FOUNDATIONS COGNITIVE SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano 0.7 mi 5.1
THE JOHNSON ACADEMY San Juan Capistrano 0.7 mi 5.2
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano 0.7 mi 4.9
FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 0.8 mi 8.6
FAIRMONT SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO San Juan Capistrano 0.8 mi 7.1
Fairmont Schools Inc. - San Juan Capistrano Campus San Juan Capistrano 0.8 mi
St. Margaret's Episcopal School San Juan Capistrano 0.8 mi
ST MARGARET S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 0.8 mi 3.8
JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 1.0 mi 4.5
JSerra Catholic High School San Juan Capistrano 1.1 mi
Harold Ambuehl Elementary San Juan Capistrano 1.1 mi 8.5
Kinoshita Elementary San Juan Capistrano 1.4 mi 5.1
George White Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.4 mi 6.2

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 Capistrano Union High 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
Cal Burke High Panorama City, CA 6.1
Central High (Continuation) Morgan Hill, CA 6.1
Delta Charter Aptos, CA 6.1
Dewey Academy High Oakland, CA 6.1
Eureka Community Eureka, CA 6.1
Fairvalley High (Continuation) Covina, CA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Capistrano Union High

What grades does Capistrano Union High serve?

Capistrano Union High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Capistrano Union High?

Capistrano Union High has an enrollment of approximately 115 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Capistrano Union High?

The student-teacher ratio at Capistrano Union High is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Capistrano Union High rank in CA?

Capistrano Union High is ranked #5259 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Capistrano Union High's MySchoolScout rating?

Capistrano Union High has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Capistrano Union High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Capistrano Union High has 1.3% math proficiency and 19.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Capistrano Union High a charter school?

No, Capistrano Union High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Capistrano Union High a Title I school?

No, Capistrano Union High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Capistrano Union High?

85.2% of students at Capistrano Union High 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,291/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.2%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Capistrano Unified
District Enrollment
40,836
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,860
District Rank
#50 of 57

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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