Skip to main content

Excellent

#793 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 8% in state

Valencia High

High School · Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870

Enrollment

2,424

Student-Teacher

21.8:1

Score

8.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Placentia

#2 of 30

public schools

California high schools

#130 of 1,892

In district

#2 of 34

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Valencia High

Valencia High is a public high school in Placentia, CA, part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified. The school serves approximately 2,424 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.7th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 49% proficiency in math, 17 points above the state average and 67% in reading/language arts, 16 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $110,575, where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

What Parents Should Know

Valencia High is a large school with 2,424 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 Valencia 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 Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.7%
Math vs. State Avg+21 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.8 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation34.5%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,001

Valencia High — Students at Valencia High score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 67.1%
School
State
51.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
70%
2024
Math
49%
ELA
65.7%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Valencia High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
92th percentile in CA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
111 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
34.5% participation·219 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valencia High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. La Sierra High (Alternative) (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Fullerton), with a very similar rating. Another option is Troy High (rated 8.0/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Fullerton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, El Dorado High (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Placentia, see our Placentia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Placentia 0.1 mi 7.3
Kraemer Middle Placentia 0.2 mi 6.7
PLACENTIA TOWNE & COUNTRY EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Placentia 0.3 mi
Ruby Drive Elementary Placentia 0.4 mi 6.7
Topaz Elementary Placentia 0.5 mi 6.9
Morse Elementary Placentia 0.7 mi 8.0
John O. Tynes Elementary Placentia 0.7 mi 6.5
Sierra Vista Elementary Placentia 1.2 mi 6.1
Valadez Middle School Academy Placentia 1.3 mi 4.9
El Dorado High Placentia 1.2 mi 7.2
Melrose Elementary Placentia 1.3 mi 3.5
Brookhaven Elementary Placentia 1.3 mi 8.0
Charles Wagner Elementary Placentia 1.3 mi 6.3
La Vista High (Continuation) Fullerton 1.3 mi 6.6
La Sierra High (Alternative) Fullerton 1.3 mi 8.2
Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle Placentia 1.6 mi 7.2
Parkview Placentia 1.7 mi 4.9
EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN Anaheim 1.6 mi 6.1
Commonwealth Elementary Fullerton 1.5 mi 5.8
Troy High Fullerton 1.5 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92870 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,575

Median Home Value

$871,000

Median Rent

$2,267/mo

Population

52,384

College Educated

43.7%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

38

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valencia High has a median household income of $110,575. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $871,000, with a median rent of $2,267/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Azusa High Azusa, CA 8.4
Berkeley High Berkeley, CA 8.4
Branham High San Jose, CA 8.4
Clovis West High Fresno, CA 8.4
Culver City High Culver City, CA 8.4
El Rancho High Pico Rivera, CA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valencia High

What grades does Valencia High serve?

Valencia High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Valencia High?

Valencia High has an enrollment of approximately 2,424 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valencia High?

The student-teacher ratio at Valencia 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 Valencia High rank in CA?

Valencia High is ranked #793 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Valencia High's MySchoolScout rating?

Valencia High has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Valencia High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valencia High has 48.5% math proficiency and 67.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Valencia High a charter school?

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

Is Valencia High a Title I school?

No, Valencia High is not currently a Title I school.

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

66.7% of students at Valencia 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
66 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,839/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,424
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
111
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified
District Enrollment
22,705
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,626
District Rank
#2 of 34

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.