Skip to main content

Very Good

#261 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 15% of private schools

Mcdowell School

Elementary School

29028 ALOMA AVE, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 9 schools in Laguna Niguel. Learn more

Enrollment

78

Student-Teacher

3:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Laguna Niguel

#1 of 4

public schools

California elementary schools

#136 of 1,102

Academic performance

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Mcdowell School

McDowell School serves 78 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Laguna Niguel, California. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 3.0:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers, providing an intimate learning environment where students receive significant individual attention. The school earns a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #870 out of 1,790 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 52nd percentile among California schools.

This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to elementary education in a supportive academic setting. McDowell School is situated in an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $135,822 and 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 7.4% and median home values of over $1 million reflect the area's economic stability.

This well-educated community context often translates to strong family support for educational initiatives. The school's small size allows for personalized learning experiences and close teacher-student relationships that can be particularly beneficial during the foundational elementary years. McDowell School operates within Laguna Niguel's large suburban setting, serving families in one of Orange County's established residential communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 78 students, Mcdowell School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 3:1, Mcdowell School 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.

As a private school, Mcdowell School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Mcdowell School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Laguna Niguel, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
3:1
This School
vs
22.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
78
This School
vs
460
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.5
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 35.9% vs 0%
Asian 19.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.8% vs 0%
Black 2.6% vs 0%
Mcdowell School Laguna Niguel Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Mcdowell School (this school) 7.5
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts 8.4
Community Roots Academy 6.5
Marian Bergeson Elementary 7.9
Hidden Hills Elementary 4.5
Laguna Niguel Elementary 8.6
George White Elementary 6.2
Moulton Elementary 6.1
John Malcom Elementary 6.7

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,137.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 68%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 78
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Two or More 38.5%
White 35.9%
Asian 19.2%
Hispanic 3.8%
Black 2.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

29028 ALOMA AVE, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcdowell School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Laguna Niguel Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts (rated 8.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Marian Bergeson Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Laguna Niguel, see our Laguna Niguel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Stratford School Laguna Niguel Laguna Niguel 0.0 mi
Niguel Hills Middle Laguna Niguel 0.3 mi 9.0
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts Laguna Niguel 0.4 mi 8.4
Community Roots Academy Laguna Niguel 0.5 mi 6.5
Marian Bergeson Elementary Laguna Niguel 0.9 mi 7.9
Hidden Hills Elementary Laguna Niguel 0.9 mi 4.5
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 1.0 mi 4.9
LAGUNA NIGUEL MONTESSORI CENTER Laguna Niguel 1.1 mi 5.3
Mission Lutheran School Laguna Niguel 1.0 mi
STONEYBROOKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 1.1 mi 4.5
Stoneybrooke Christian School San Juan Capistrano 1.1 mi
Laguna Niguel Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.3 mi 8.6
Capistrano Valley High Mission Viejo 1.2 mi 8.3
Armenta Learning Academy Laguna Niguel 1.4 mi
SUNFLOWER MONTESSORI Mission Viejo 1.4 mi
George White Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.7 mi 6.2
LAGUNA NIGUEL JR ACADEMY Laguna Niguel 1.7 mi 5.1
KENSINGTON MONTESSORRI SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 1.7 mi
JSerra Catholic High School San Juan Capistrano 1.9 mi
Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy Laguna Niguel 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92677 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,605

Median Home Value

$1,123,000

Median Rent

$2,819/mo

Population

64,023

College Educated

59.3%

Homeownership

66.5%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

47.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mcdowell School has a median household income of $140,605. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,123,000, with a median rent of $2,819/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% 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
L.A. COUNTY FAIR ASSOC. CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Pomona, CA 7.5
Lafayette Park Primary Center Los Angeles, CA 7.5
MARIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Diego, CA 7.5
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs, CA 7.5
ST MARY'S MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Cucamonga, CA 7.5
THE GENEVA SCHOOL Laguna Woods, CA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcdowell School

What grades does Mcdowell School serve?

Mcdowell School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mcdowell School?

Mcdowell School has an enrollment of approximately 78 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell School is 3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Mcdowell School rank in CA?

Mcdowell School is ranked #261 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Mcdowell School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcdowell School has a composite rating of 7.5 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.

Is Mcdowell School a private school?

Yes, Mcdowell School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Mcdowell School a religious school?

No, Mcdowell School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
63 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,036/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laguna Niguel). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
78
Gender Split
47% M / 53% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
3:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
ORANGE
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.