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Very Good

#501 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 28% of private schools

The Discovery Preparatory School

High School

2A LIBERTY, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 10 schools in Aliso Viejo. Learn more

Enrollment

34

Student-Teacher

3.4:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Aliso Viejo

#1 of 6

public schools

California high schools

#102 of 277

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About The Discovery Preparatory School

The Discovery Preparatory School serves 34 students in grades 6-12 in Aliso Viejo, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptional 3.4:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public school maintains a small community feel with 10 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #619 out of 1,790 schools statewide, placing it in the 66th percentile among California schools.

This impressive performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence despite its small size. Students at Discovery Preparatory benefit from the advantages of both middle and high school programs under one roof, creating opportunities for mentorship and continuity throughout their secondary education years. The remarkably low student-teacher ratio suggests an environment where educators can provide individualized support and foster close working relationships with students.

The school is situated in affluent Aliso Viejo, where the median household income reaches $130,854 and 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This educated, prosperous community, with a low poverty rate of 4.9%, provides a supportive backdrop for student achievement. The Discovery Preparatory School operates within Orange County's large suburban landscape, offering families a unique small-school experience in a thriving residential community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 34 students, The Discovery Preparatory 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 3.4:1, The Discovery Preparatory 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, The Discovery Preparatory 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

Beta

How The Discovery Preparatory School compares to the 10 public schools in Aliso Viejo, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
3.4:1
This School
vs
23.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
34
This School
vs
824
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.0
This School
vs
7.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 73.5% vs 0%
Asian 17.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 8.8% vs 0%
The Discovery Preparatory School Aliso Viejo Public Avg

All Schools in Aliso Viejo

School Rating
The Discovery Preparatory School (this school) 7.0
Canyon Vista Elementary 8.2
Aliso Niguel High 7.9
Journey 6.7
Wood Canyon Elementary 7.0
Oak Grove Elementary 7.3
Don Juan Avila Middle 8.0
Don Juan Avila Elementary 7.4
Aliso Viejo Middle 8.3
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley 7.9
Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County 7.8

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+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 3.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,520
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- 2.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 34
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 73.5%
Asian 17.6%
Hispanic 8.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2A LIBERTY, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Discovery Preparatory School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Laguna Niguel Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Laguna Niguel), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aliso Viejo Middle (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Canyon Vista Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aliso Viejo, see our Aliso Viejo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
VANDAMME ACADEMY Aliso Viejo 0.0 mi 6.8
VanDamme Academy Aliso Viejo 0.0 mi
ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 0.5 mi 5.7
Canyon Vista Elementary Aliso Viejo 0.5 mi 8.2
Aliso Niguel High Aliso Viejo 0.6 mi 7.9
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 0.8 mi 5.6
Journey Aliso Viejo 0.7 mi 6.7
Oak Grove Elementary Aliso Viejo 0.8 mi 7.3
Community Christian Homeschool Aliso Viejo 0.9 mi
Wood Canyon Elementary Aliso Viejo 0.8 mi 7.0
Fusion Academy - Aliso Viejo Aliso Viejo 1.0 mi
Don Juan Avila Elementary Aliso Viejo 1.1 mi 7.4
Don Juan Avila Middle Aliso Viejo 1.1 mi 8.0
Aliso Viejo Middle Aliso Viejo 1.4 mi 8.3
Laguna Niguel Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.5 mi 8.6
ACADEMY ON THE HILL Aliso Viejo 1.5 mi 6.2
Academy on the Hills Aliso Viejo 1.5 mi
Mission Lutheran School Laguna Niguel 1.7 mi
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 1.7 mi 4.9
Top of the World Elementary Laguna Beach 1.9 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$134,538

Median Home Value

$849,900

Median Rent

$2,764/mo

Population

52,645

College Educated

57%

Homeownership

57.6%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Discovery Preparatory School has a median household income of $134,538. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $849,900, with a median rent of $2,764/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata, CA 7.0
Alta Vista Academy Chula Vista, CA 7.1
Berkeley Technology Academy Berkeley, CA 7.1
Del Mar High San Gabriel, CA 7.1
Dorothy V. Johnson Community Day Los Angeles, CA 7.1
FUSION ACADEMY SB: SOUTH BAY Hermosa Beach, CA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Discovery Preparatory School

What grades does The Discovery Preparatory School serve?

The Discovery Preparatory School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend The Discovery Preparatory School?

The Discovery Preparatory School has an enrollment of approximately 34 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Discovery Preparatory School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Discovery Preparatory School is 3.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Discovery Preparatory School rank in CA?

The Discovery Preparatory School is ranked #501 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is The Discovery Preparatory School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Discovery Preparatory School has a composite rating of 7.0 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.

Is The Discovery Preparatory School a private school?

Yes, The Discovery Preparatory 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 The Discovery Preparatory School a religious school?

No, The Discovery Preparatory School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,009/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aliso Viejo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
34
Gender Split
65% M / 35% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
190 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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