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Excellent

#840 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 9% in state

Capistrano Valley High

High School · Capistrano Unified

26301 Via Escolar, Mission Viejo, CA 92692

Enrollment

1,981

Student-Teacher

21.1:1

Score

8.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mission Viejo

#5 of 21

public schools

California high schools

#139 of 1,892

In district

#16 of 57

Capistrano Unified

Equity

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Capistrano Valley High

Capistrano Valley High is a public high school in Mission Viejo, CA, part of the Capistrano Unified. The school serves approximately 1,981 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 91.2th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 46% proficiency in math, 14 points above the state average and 71% in reading/language arts, 19 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (7.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $133,028, where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Capistrano Valley High is 21.1:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70%
Math vs. State Avg+15.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation43.8%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,458

Capistrano Valley High — Students at Capistrano Valley High score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 45.6%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 70.5%
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
43%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
71%
2024
Math
43.2%
ELA
70%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Capistrano Valley High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
91th percentile in CA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
94 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
43.8% participation·246 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

26301 Via Escolar, Mission Viejo, CA 92692

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Capistrano Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Niguel Hills Middle (rated 9.0/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Laguna Niguel), which scores slightly higher. Another option is FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby San Juan Capistrano), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Laguna Niguel), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mission Viejo, see our Mission Viejo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Stoneybrooke Christian School San Juan Capistrano 0.1 mi
STONEYBROOKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 0.1 mi 4.5
SUNFLOWER MONTESSORI Mission Viejo 0.8 mi
Armenta Learning Academy Laguna Niguel 1.0 mi
Niguel Hills Middle Laguna Niguel 1.0 mi 9.0
JSerra Catholic High School San Juan Capistrano 1.4 mi
JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 1.4 mi 4.5
MCDOWELL SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 1.2 mi 7.5
Stratford School Laguna Niguel Laguna Niguel 1.2 mi
Marian Bergeson Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.4 mi 7.9
Fairmont Schools Inc. - San Juan Capistrano Campus San Juan Capistrano 1.7 mi
FAIRMONT SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO San Juan Capistrano 1.7 mi 7.1
MISSION MONTESSORI Mission Viejo 1.7 mi
FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 1.7 mi 8.6
Hidden Hills Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.6 mi 4.5
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts Laguna Niguel 1.6 mi 8.4
Community Roots Academy Laguna Niguel 1.6 mi 6.5
Oso Grande Elementary Ladera Ranch 1.7 mi 7.8
George White Elementary Laguna Niguel 2.0 mi 6.2
Carl Hankey Elementary Mission Viejo 2.1 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92692 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$133,028

Median Home Value

$983,800

Median Rent

$2,812/mo

Population

46,568

College Educated

55.2%

Homeownership

76.5%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

46.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Capistrano Valley High has a median household income of $133,028. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $983,800, with a median rent of $2,812/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Acalanes High Lafayette, CA 8.3
Corona del Mar High Costa Mesa, CA 8.3
Fallbrook High Fallbrook, CA 8.3
Henry High San Diego, CA 8.3
Homestead High Cupertino, CA 8.3
Los Altos High Los Altos, CA 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Capistrano Valley High

What grades does Capistrano Valley High serve?

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

How many students attend Capistrano Valley High?

Capistrano Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 1,981 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Capistrano Valley High is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Capistrano Valley High rank in CA?

Capistrano Valley High is ranked #840 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Capistrano Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?

Capistrano Valley High has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Valley High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Capistrano Valley High has 45.6% math proficiency and 70.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Capistrano Valley High a charter school?

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

Is Capistrano Valley High a Title I school?

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

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

39.1% of students at Capistrano Valley 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

Walk Score
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,290/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mission Viejo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,981
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
94
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
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
#16 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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