Excellent
#203 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 2% in state
Niguel Hills Middle
Middle School · Capistrano Unified
29070 Shark Bay, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Enrollment
733
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
9.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
733
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
9.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Laguna Niguel
#1 of 9
public schools
California middle schools
#14 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Niguel Hills Middle
Niguel Hills Middle School earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — placing it #14 among 1,349 middle schools across California. That ranking puts it ahead of 98% of public schools statewide, a measure that spans every grade level and district in a state with more than 9,500 public schools. Academic performance scores 9.2 out of 10, and a growth score of 9.6 signals that students are advancing at a pace that exceeds nearly every comparable campus in the state.
These aren't one-year results — they reflect consistent outputs from a school that serves 733 students across grades 6 through 8. Niguel Hills is a regular public school in Laguna Niguel, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.3 to 1. It holds the top spot among all 9 public schools in Laguna Niguel, making it the city's clear leader at the middle school level.
For families weighing options in south Orange County, the data places this school firmly among the strongest middle schools in California.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Niguel Hills Middle — Students at Niguel Hills Middle score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.6/10.
How Niguel Hills Middle Compares
See how Niguel Hills Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 61.52% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 63% (2019) to 71.37% (2024).
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), with a comparable rating. Another option is Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts (rated 8.4/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Capistrano Valley High (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Mission Viejo), with a comparable rating. 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 | 8.4 |
| Community Roots Academy Laguna Niguel | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Marian Bergeson Elementary Laguna Niguel | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| STONEYBROOKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Hidden Hills Elementary Laguna Niguel | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Stoneybrooke Christian School San Juan Capistrano | 0.9 mi | — |
| Capistrano Valley High Mission Viejo | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Niguel Hills Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Middle San Gabriel, CA | 9.0 |
| Lincoln Middle Santa Monica, CA | 9.0 |
| Tierra Linda Middle San Carlos, CA | 9.0 |
| Adaline E. Kent Middle Kentfield, CA | 9.1 |
| BP STEM Academy Baldwin Park, CA | 8.9 |
| Edna Brewer Middle Oakland, CA | 8.9 |
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 is ranked #203 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Niguel Hills Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Niguel Hills Middle has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Niguel Hills Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Niguel Hills Middle has 55.4% math proficiency and 62.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laguna Niguel). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (949) 234-5360
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #3 of 57
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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