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Excellent

#1303 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 14% in state

Don Juan Avila Middle

Middle School · Capistrano Unified

26278 Wood Canyon Dr., Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Enrollment

891

Student-Teacher

21.7:1

Score

8.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aliso Viejo

#3 of 10

public schools

California middle schools

#140 of 1,349

In district

#29 of 57

Capistrano Unified

Equity

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Don Juan Avila Middle

Don Juan Avila Middle School serves 891 students in grades 6-8 in Aliso Viejo, California, earning recognition as one of Orange County's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10, the school ranks in the 96th percentile statewide, placing 361st among California's 9,566 schools. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement, with 79% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 67% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These results reflect the dedication of 41 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 21.7 to 1, providing personalized attention within a substantial learning community. Don Juan Avila Middle draws from an educated and affluent community where 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $130,854. This supportive environment, combined with low poverty rates of just 4.9%, creates favorable conditions for student success.

Located on Wood Canyon Drive in this large suburban setting, the school benefits from Aliso Viejo's family-oriented atmosphere and well-established residential neighborhoods. The community's commitment to education and high property values of around $804,000 reflect the area's investment in quality schools and student achievement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Don Juan Avila Middle is 21.7:1, 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.4Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.9%
Math vs. State Avg+32.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+14.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,458

Don Juan Avila Middle — Students at Don Juan Avila Middle score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 78.9%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 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
69%
ELA
79%
2024
Math
67.2%
ELA
78.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How Don Juan Avila Middle Compares

See how Don Juan Avila Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
86th percentile in CA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

26278 Wood Canyon Dr., Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Don Juan Avila Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Aliso Viejo Middle (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Canyon Vista Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Aliso Niguel High (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Aliso Viejo, see our Aliso Viejo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Don Juan Avila Elementary Aliso Viejo 0.0 mi 7.4
Fusion Academy - Aliso Viejo Aliso Viejo 0.2 mi
Oak Grove Elementary Aliso Viejo 0.4 mi 7.3
VanDamme Academy Aliso Viejo 1.1 mi
THE DISCOVERY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 1.1 mi 7.0
VANDAMME ACADEMY Aliso Viejo 1.1 mi 6.8
Journey Aliso Viejo 1.1 mi 6.7
Aliso Viejo Middle Aliso Viejo 1.1 mi 8.3
Canyon Vista Elementary Aliso Viejo 1.4 mi 8.2
ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 1.6 mi 5.7
Aliso Niguel High Aliso Viejo 1.6 mi 7.9
ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach 1.6 mi 6.4
ANNELIESE SCHOOLS, INC. Laguna Beach 1.6 mi 6.6
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 1.9 mi 5.6
Wood Canyon Elementary Aliso Viejo 1.9 mi 7.0
THE GENEVA SCHOOL Laguna Woods 2.0 mi 7.5
The Geneva School Laguna Woods 2.0 mi
Community Christian Homeschool Aliso Viejo 2.0 mi
ACADEMY ON THE HILL Aliso Viejo 1.8 mi 6.2
Academy on the Hills Aliso Viejo 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$134,538

Median Home Value

$849,900

Median Rent

$2,764/mo

Population

52,645

College Educated

57%

Homeownership

57.6%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Don Juan Avila Middle has a median household income of $134,538. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $849,900, with a median rent of $2,764/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Alondra Middle Paramount, CA 8.0
Berendo Middle Los Angeles, CA 8.0
Citrus Middle Orange Cove, CA 8.0
Giannini (A.P.) Middle San Francisco, CA 8.0
Haven Drive Middle Arvin, CA 8.0
Herman (Leonard) Intermediate San Jose, CA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Don Juan Avila Middle

What grades does Don Juan Avila Middle serve?

Don Juan Avila Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Don Juan Avila Middle?

Don Juan Avila Middle has an enrollment of approximately 891 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Don Juan Avila Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Don Juan Avila Middle is 21.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Don Juan Avila Middle rank in CA?

Don Juan Avila Middle is ranked #1303 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Don Juan Avila Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Don Juan Avila Middle has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Don Juan Avila Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Don Juan Avila Middle has 67.6% math proficiency and 78.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Don Juan Avila Middle a charter school?

No, Don Juan Avila Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Don Juan Avila Middle a Title I school?

No, Don Juan Avila Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Don Juan Avila Middle?

28.7% of students at Don Juan Avila Middle 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
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,009/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
891
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.7%
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
#29 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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