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#1134 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Pathway School Inc.

Middle School

23802 AVENIDA DE LA CARLOTA, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

44

Student-Teacher

5.1:1

Score

5.9

Grades

3rd – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Laguna Hills

#3 of 3

public schools

California middle schools

#32 of 45

About Pathway School Inc.

Pathway School Inc. serves 44 students in grades 3-8 in the heart of Laguna Hills, offering an intimate educational environment with a remarkable 5.1:1 student-teacher ratio. With just 9 full-time equivalent teachers, this small middle school provides highly personalized attention that allows educators to know each student individually and tailor instruction to their specific needs. The school has earned impressive recognition, receiving a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #521 out of 1,790 schools statewide, placing it in the 71st percentile among California schools.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its close-knit community setting. Pathway School operates in Laguna Hills' affluent 92653 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $123,490 and home values average $891,400. The surrounding community is highly educated, with 52% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values learning and educational achievement.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of 8.5%, contributing to community stability. Located in Orange County's large suburban landscape, Pathway School Inc. offers families a unique combination of small-school intimacy and the resources of a thriving suburban community known for its family-friendly atmosphere and educational priorities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 44 students, Pathway School Inc. 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 5.1:1, Pathway School Inc. 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, Pathway School Inc. 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$26,006
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$22,459
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.86x — At Risk
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
87%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$91,995

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 44 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Pathway School Inc. compares to the 4 public schools in Laguna Hills, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
This School
vs
23.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
44
This School
vs
670
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.9
This School
vs
6.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 75% vs 0%
Asian 11.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.8% vs 0%
Black 4.5% vs 0%
Pathway School Inc. Laguna Hills Public Avg

All Schools in Laguna Hills

School Rating
Pathway School Inc. (this school) 5.9
Laguna Hills High 6.7
Lomarena Elementary 5.6
San Joaquin Elementary 8.2
Valencia Elementary 6.8

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 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,097.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 42%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 44
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)

White 75.0%
Asian 11.4%
Hispanic 6.8%
Black 4.5%
Pacific Islander 2.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

23802 AVENIDA DE LA CARLOTA, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pathway School Inc. may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Serrano Intermediate (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Lake Forest), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Los Alisos Intermediate (rated 6.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Mission Viejo), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Laguna Hills, see our Laguna Hills schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Pathway School, Inc. Laguna Hills 0.0 mi
Olivewood Elementary Lake Forest 0.6 mi 6.7
CROWN Virtual Christian Academy Lake Forest 0.6 mi
Foundation on the Rock Lake Forest 0.8 mi
Ralph A. Gates DLI Magnet Elementary Lake Forest 0.7 mi 4.7
Montessori on the Lake Lake Forest 1.0 mi
MONTESSORI ON THE LAKE Lake Forest 1.0 mi 7.2
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley Aliso Viejo 1.0 mi 7.9
Heritage Christian School - JH/HS Lake Foredt 1.0 mi
Abiding Savior Lutheran School Lake Forest 1.1 mi
Los Alisos Intermediate Mission Viejo 1.1 mi 6.2
La Tierra Early Childhood Center Mission Viejo 1.2 mi
Serrano Intermediate Lake Forest 1.5 mi 7.1
Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary Lake Forest 1.5 mi 7.7
THE GENEVA SCHOOL Laguna Woods 1.4 mi 7.5
Oakridge School Irvine 1.5 mi
The Geneva School Laguna Woods 1.4 mi
Laguna Hills High Laguna Hills 1.6 mi 6.7
Southern California Preperatory School Irvine 1.5 mi
FUSION ALISA VIEJO Aliso Viejo 1.5 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92653 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$128,623

Median Home Value

$978,400

Median Rent

$2,637/mo

Population

29,596

College Educated

52.8%

Homeownership

70.5%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

42.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pathway School Inc. has a median household income of $128,623. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $978,400, with a median rent of $2,637/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
ONE WORLD MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Jose, CA 6.0
THE CHILDREN'S SCHOOL Irvine, CA 5.8
TOPANGA MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Woodland Hills, CA 5.8
HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster, CA 6.1
Baker Junior High Baker, CA 5.7
ATHENA ACADEMY Palo Alto, CA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pathway School Inc.

What grades does Pathway School Inc. serve?

Pathway School Inc. serves students in grades 3rd through 8th.

How many students attend Pathway School Inc.?

Pathway School Inc. has an enrollment of approximately 44 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pathway School Inc.?

The student-teacher ratio at Pathway School Inc. is 5.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Pathway School Inc. rank in CA?

Pathway School Inc. is ranked #1134 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Pathway School Inc.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Pathway School Inc. has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Pathway School Inc. a private school?

Yes, Pathway School Inc. is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Pathway School Inc. a religious school?

Pathway School Inc. has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,365/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
3rd – 8th
Enrollment
44
Gender Split
86% M / 14% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
6.2 hours
Days Per Year
177 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

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