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
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
Enrollment
78
Student-Teacher
3:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Mcdowell School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Laguna Niguel, CA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (949) 495-5162
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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