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Average

#5635 of 9,533 schools in CA

Santa Ana High

High School · Santa Ana Unified

520 West Walnut, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Enrollment

2,853

Student-Teacher

21.8:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Ana

#48 of 73

public schools

California high schools

#1,206 of 1,892

In district

#33 of 51

Santa Ana Unified

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Santa Ana High

Santa Ana High serves 2,853 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Santa Ana, California. This large public high school operates with 131 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1. The school currently ranks in the 30th percentile among California high schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10.

Academically, Santa Ana High has significant room for growth, with 43% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 11% achieving proficiency in mathematics. The school serves a community where the median household income is $65,375 and 16% of families live below the poverty line. Despite economic challenges, the neighborhood shows resilience with median home values at $579,400, though only 12% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

As one of the larger high schools in Orange County, Santa Ana High provides education to a substantial student body in an urban environment. The school's size offers potential for diverse programming and resources while serving families in a working-class community. Santa Ana High sits in a densely populated area of nearly 50,000 residents, reflecting the vibrant, multicultural character of this established Orange County city.

What Parents Should Know

Santa Ana High is a large school with 2,853 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Ana High is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.9%
Math vs. State Avg-17.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness2.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,952

Santa Ana High — Students at Santa Ana High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 12.6%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
13%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
10.7%
ELA
42.9%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Santa Ana High Compares

See how Santa Ana High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
41th percentile in CA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
131 teachers

Location

520 West Walnut, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Ana High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. OCSA (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nova Academy Early College High (rated 5.5/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Ana, see our Santa Ana schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Martin R. Heninger Elementary Santa Ana 0.1 mi 6.5
Nova Academy Early College High Santa Ana 0.2 mi 5.5
Lowell Elementary Santa Ana 0.4 mi 4.1
Pio Pico Elementary Santa Ana 0.5 mi 3.9
Edward B. Cole Academy Santa Ana 0.5 mi 6.3
Franklin Elementary Santa Ana 0.6 mi 3.2
Orange County Educational Arts Academy Santa Ana 0.7 mi 6.0
El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts Academy Santa Ana 0.7 mi 5.6
STORYBOOK PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Santa Ana 0.8 mi
STORYBOOK PRESCHOOL Santa Ana 0.8 mi
Heroes Elementary Santa Ana 0.7 mi 7.6
OCSA Santa Ana 0.8 mi 8.5
Julia C. Lathrop Intermediate Santa Ana 0.8 mi 6.3
Willard Intermediate Santa Ana 0.9 mi 6.9
Martin Elementary Santa Ana 0.9 mi 7.2
George Washington Carver Elementary Santa Ana 0.8 mi 4.9
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Ana 0.9 mi 3.5
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Santa Ana 0.9 mi 5.8
Garfield Elementary Santa Ana 0.9 mi 5.9
Roosevelt Walker Academy Santa Ana 0.9 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,697

Median Home Value

$608,300

Median Rent

$1,650/mo

Population

48,272

College Educated

11%

Homeownership

29.2%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Age

33

Community Profile

The community surrounding Santa Ana High has a median household income of $68,697. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $608,300, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
El Capitan High Lakeside, CA 6.0
Fontana A. B. Miller High Fontana, CA 6.0
Frontier High Bakersfield, CA 6.0
Glendale High Glendale, CA 6.0
Heritage High Brentwood, CA 6.0
Rialto High Rialto, CA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Ana High

What grades does Santa Ana High serve?

Santa Ana High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Santa Ana High?

Santa Ana High has an enrollment of approximately 2,853 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Ana High?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Ana High is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santa Ana High rank in CA?

Santa Ana High is ranked #5635 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Santa Ana High's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Ana High has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Santa Ana High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Ana High has 12.6% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Santa Ana High a charter school?

No, Santa Ana High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Santa Ana High a Title I school?

No, Santa Ana High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Ana High?

76.4% of students at Santa Ana High 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
87 Very Walkable
Transit Score
51 Good Transit
Bike Score
65 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,203/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Ana). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,853
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
131
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Ana Unified
District Enrollment
38,031
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,309
District Rank
#33 of 51

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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