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Very Good

#1886 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 20% in state

Niguel Hills Middle

Middle School · Capistrano Unified

29070 Shark Bay, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Enrollment

733

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,886 of 9,539

In Laguna Niguel

#5 of 9

public schools

In district

#33 of 57

Capistrano Unified

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Niguel Hills Middle

7.8/10

Middle School in Laguna Niguel · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mcdowell School

7.5/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Stratford School Laguna Niguel

Nearby

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Niguel Hills Middle

Niguel Hills Middle is a public middle school in Laguna Niguel, CA, part of Capistrano Unified. Niguel Hills Middle serves approximately 733 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Niguel Hills Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,886 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Niguel Hills Middle show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.3
  • CA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+27.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.5 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,860
Chronic Absenteeism18.1%

Niguel Hills Middle — Students at Niguel Hills Middle score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 56.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 65.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
69%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2014
Math
55%
ELA
70%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
55%
ELA
65%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
63%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
63%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
55.2%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
61.6%
ELA
71.4%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Niguel Hills Middle Compares

See how Niguel Hills Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
80th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

29070 Shark Bay, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Niguel Hills Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Laguna Niguel Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Marian Bergeson Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Laguna Niguel, see our Laguna Niguel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
MCDOWELL SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 0.3 mi 7.5
Stratford School Laguna Niguel Laguna Niguel 0.3 mi
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts Laguna Niguel 0.7 mi 8.5
Community Roots Academy Laguna Niguel 0.7 mi 7.3
Marian Bergeson Elementary Laguna Niguel 0.8 mi 8.3
STONEYBROOKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 0.9 mi 4.5
Hidden Hills Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.0 mi 7.3
Stoneybrooke Christian School San Juan Capistrano 0.9 mi
Capistrano Valley High Mission Viejo 1.0 mi 7.9
Armenta Learning Academy Laguna Niguel 1.1 mi
SUNFLOWER MONTESSORI Mission Viejo 1.1 mi
LAGUNA NIGUEL MONTESSORI CENTER Laguna Niguel 1.2 mi 5.3
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 1.1 mi 4.9
Mission Lutheran School Laguna Niguel 1.2 mi
Laguna Niguel Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.5 mi 8.6
George White Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.8 mi 6.7
JSerra Catholic High School San Juan Capistrano 1.8 mi
JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 1.8 mi 4.5
FAIRMONT SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO San Juan Capistrano 1.9 mi 7.1
Fairmont Schools Inc. - San Juan Capistrano Campus San Juan Capistrano 1.9 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Brea Junior High Brea, CA 7.8
Clifton Middle Monrovia, CA 7.8
Dolores Huerta Middle San Jose, CA 7.8
Fulton (Harry C.) Middle Fountain Valley, CA 7.8
Helen Keller Middle Long Beach, CA 7.8
Huntington Middle San Marino, CA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Niguel Hills Middle

What grades does Niguel Hills Middle serve?

Niguel Hills Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Niguel Hills Middle?

Niguel Hills Middle has an enrollment of approximately 733 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Niguel Hills Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Niguel Hills Middle is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Niguel Hills Middle rank in CA?

Niguel Hills Middle ranks #1,886 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Niguel Hills Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Niguel Hills Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Niguel Hills Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Niguel Hills Middle has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Niguel Hills Middle a charter school?

No, Niguel Hills Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Niguel Hills Middle a Title I school?

No, Niguel Hills Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Niguel Hills Middle?

40.4% of students at Niguel Hills 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
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
733
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.1%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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