Orange County

California · Public K-12

Across all districts in Orange County, public schools number 649 and enroll approximately 430,458 K-12 students (422 elementary, 88 middle, and 111 high).

7-year change in Orange County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25

Total enrollment

429,950

-56,900 (-12%) vs SY 2017-18

School count

628

+17 (+3%) vs SY 2017-18

% White

22%

was 26%

% Hispanic

49%

was 49%

% Black

was 1%

% Asian

21%

was 18%

Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages

Residents

3,165,820

all ages · ACS 5-yr

Schools

649

80 districts

Enrollment

430,458

students · NCES CCD

Median income

$116,289

Above California avg

Free/reduced lunch

55.2%

Below California avg

Elementary

422

206,904 students

Middle

64,781 students

High

111

143,989 students

Combined / other

14,784 students

LARGEST DISTRICT

Capistrano Unified

40,251 students · 80 districts in Orange County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Orange County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents

White

43%

Hispanic

34%

Black

Asian

22%

Two or more

18%

Native American

Pacific Islander

School enrollment

White

22%

Hispanic

49%

Black

Asian

21%

Two or more

Native American

Pacific Islander

Bachelor's+

44.1%

adults 25+

Poverty rate

6.7%

ACS 5-year

Unemployment

5.4%

civilian labor

Median age

21.0% under 18

Test scores in Orange County

Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 539 schools ranked. California state average: 47.6%.

Top 5 schools (ELA)

Lowest 5 schools (ELA)

See all 539 schools in Orange County ranked by score →

All schools (649)

Largest A-Z Top rated

Name	City	Level	Grades	Enrollment	Rating
California Online Public Schools Southern California	San Juan Capistrano	Combined	KG-12	3,933	·
Fountain Valley High	Fountain Valley	High	09-12	3,171	·
Los Alamitos High	Los Alamitos	High	09-12	2,915	·
Arnold O. Beckman High	Irvine	High	09-12	2,776	·
San Clemente High	San Clemente	High	09-12	2,740	·
Portola High	Irvine	High	09-12	2,693	·
Cypress High	Cypress	High	09-12	2,685	·
Anaheim High	Anaheim	High	09-12	2,667	·
Huntington Beach High	Huntington Beach	High	09-12	2,645	·
San Juan Hills High	San Juan Capistrano	High	09-12	2,641	·
Aliso Niguel High	Aliso Viejo	High	09-12	2,563	·
Westminster High	Westminster	High	09-12	2,529	·
Santa Ana High	Santa Ana	High	09-12	2,505	·
Troy High	Fullerton	High	09-12	2,504	·
Trabuco Hills High	Mission Viejo	High	09-12	2,475	·
Valencia High	Placentia	High	09-12	2,411	·
Segerstrom High	Santa Ana	High	09-12	2,376	·
OCSA	Santa Ana	High	07-12	2,346	·
Sunny Hills High	Fullerton	High	09-12	2,337	·
Katella High	Anaheim	High	09-12	2,326	·
University High	Irvine	High	09-12	2,307	·
Northwood High	Irvine	High	09-12	2,244	·
Woodbridge High	Irvine	High	09-12	2,232	·
Canyon High	Anaheim	High	09-12	2,183	·
Garden Grove High	Garden Grove	High	09-12	2,148	·
Foothill High	Santa Ana	High	09-12	2,126	·
Corona del Mar High	Newport Beach	High	07-12	2,106	·
Newport Harbor High	Newport Beach	High	09-12	2,084	·
Edison High	Huntington Beach	High	09-12	2,049	·
La Quinta High	Westminster	High	09-12	2,041	·
Tesoro High	Las Flores	High	09-12	2,030	·
Villa Park High	Villa Park	High	09-12	2,023	·
El Dorado High	Placentia	High	09-12	1,998	·
Marina High	Huntington Beach	High	09-12	1,997	·
Capistrano Valley High	Mission Viejo	High	09-12	1,991	·
John F. Kennedy High	La Palma	High	09-12	1,983	·
Irvine High	Irvine	High	09-12	1,964	·
Valley High	Santa Ana	High	09-12	1,908	·
El Toro High	Lake Forest	High	09-12	1,902	·
La Habra High	La Habra	High	09-12	1,881	·
Fullerton Union High	Fullerton	High	09-12	1,880	·
El Modena High	Orange	High	09-12	1,795	·
Sonora High	La Habra	High	09-12	1,779	·
Costa Mesa High	Costa Mesa	High	07-12	1,730	·
Orange High	Orange	High	09-12	1,728	·
Dana Hills High	Dana Point	High	09-12	1,725	·
Bolsa Grande High	Garden Grove	High	09-12	1,701	·
Hector G. Godinez	Santa Ana	High	09-12	1,687	·
Buena Park High	Buena Park	High	09-12	1,682	·
Brea Olinda High	Brea	High	09-12	1,676	·
Santiago High	Garden Grove	High	09-12	1,664	·
Pacifica High	Garden Grove	High	09-12	1,634	·
Yorba Linda High	Yorba Linda	High	09-12	1,631	·
Tustin High	Tustin	High	09-12	1,627	·
Magnolia High	Anaheim	High	09-12	1,608	·
Mission Viejo High	Mission Viejo	High	09-12	1,566	·
Loara High	Anaheim	High	09-12	1,539	·
Century High	Santa Ana	High	09-12	1,519	·
Savanna High	Anaheim	High	09-12	1,466	·
Suncoast Preparatory Academy	Newport Beach	Combined	KG-12	1,459	·
Saddleback High	Santa Ana	High	07-12	1,451	·
Western High	Anaheim	High	09-12	1,446	·
Rancho Alamitos High	Garden Grove	High	09-12	1,439	·
Los Amigos High	Fountain Valley	High	09-12	1,430	·
Esperanza High	Anaheim	High	09-12	1,393	·
Orchard Hills	Irvine	Elementary	KG-08	1,373	·
Laguna Hills High	Laguna Hills	High	09-12	1,317	·
ACCESS County Community	Costa Mesa	Combined	KG-12	1,315	·
Oxford Academy	Cypress	High	07-12	1,315	·
Sierra Vista Middle	Irvine	Middle	07-08	1,282	·
Gonzalo Felicitas Mendez Fundamental Intermediate	Santa Ana	Middle	06-08	1,234	·
Travis Ranch	Yorba Linda	Elementary	KG-08	1,197	·
Lexington Junior High	Cypress	Middle	07-08	1,188	·
South Junior High	Anaheim	Middle	07-08	1,159	·
Ocean View High	Huntington Beach	High	09-12	1,154	·
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate	Rancho Santa Margarita	Middle	07-08	1,153	·
El Rancho Charter	Anaheim	Middle	07-08	1,144	·
Santiago Charter Middle	Orange	Middle	07-08	1,137	·
Sycamore Junior High	Anaheim	Middle	07-08	1,137	·
Fred Newhart Middle	Mission Viejo	Middle	06-08	1,105	·
Woodbury Elementary	Irvine	Elementary	KG-06	1,095	·
Sycamore Magnet Academy	Tustin	Elementary	KG-08	1,085	·
McFadden Institute of Technology	Santa Ana	Elementary	KG-08	1,074	·
Excel Academy Charter	Irvine	Combined	KG-12	1,069	·
Beacon Park	Irvine	Elementary	KG-08	1,065	·
Ladera Ranch Middle	Ladera Ranch	Middle	06-08	1,064	·
Jeffrey Trail Middle	Irvine	Middle	07-08	1,049	·
Stonegate Elementary	Irvine	Elementary	KG-06	1,037	·
Epic California Academy	Anaheim	Combined	KG-12	1,022	·
Sharon Christa McAuliffe Middle	Los Alamitos	Middle	06-08	1,018	·
Cypress Village Elementary	Irvine	Elementary	KG-06	1,007	·
Douglas MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate	Santa Ana	Middle	06-08	1,005	·
Dale Junior High	Anaheim	Middle	07-08	1,002	·
Oak Middle	Los Alamitos	Middle	06-08	998	·
Esencia	Rancho Mission Viejo	Elementary	KG-05	996	·
Foothill Ranch Elementary	Foothill Ranch	Elementary	KG-06	990	·
El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts Academy	Santa Ana	Elementary	KG-08	980	·
Estancia High	Costa Mesa	High	09-12	976	·
Solis Park	Irvine	Elementary	KG-08	972	·
Pioneer Middle	Tustin	Middle	06-08	971	·

Cities in Orange County

Santa Ana82 schools Anaheim72 schools Irvine53 schools Garden Grove52 schools Huntington Beach32 schools Costa Mesa29 schools Orange29 schools Fullerton26 schools Mission Viejo23 schools Westminster19 schools Placentia18 schools Tustin18 schools San Juan Capistrano16 schools Fountain Valley15 schools Buena Park14 schools La Habra14 schools Yorba Linda12 schools Brea10 schools Lake Forest10 schools Newport Beach10 schools San Clemente10 schools Aliso Viejo9 schools Cypress9 schools Laguna Niguel9 schools Los Alamitos8 schools Rancho Santa Margarita8 schools La Palma5 schools Dana Point4 schools Ladera Ranch4 schools Laguna Beach4 schools Laguna Hills4 schools Villa Park4 schools Trabuco Canyon3 schools Corona Del Mar2 schools Las Flores2 schools Midway City2 schools Rancho Mission Viejo2 schools Stanton2 schools Capistrano Beach1 school Coto De Caza1 school Foothill Ranch1 school Seal Beach1 school

About Orange County

Orange County is a wide-reaching county of about 3,165,820 residents in California. Its public-school system serves approximately 430,458 students across 649 schools.

Stepping back, census numbers show median household income runs near $116,289, roughly 44% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 7% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 30% meaningfully above the California median.

In terms of grade levels, Orange County is built around 422 elementary schools (206,904 students), 88 middle schools (64,781), 111 high schools (143,989), and 28 combined or other schools.

Capistrano Unified dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 40,251 students on its own.

Looking at the last 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 429,950 students, contracted 12% from the 486,850 reported in SY 2017-18. Over that span, Orange County opened 17 schools, going from 611 to 628. The White share of public-school enrollment declined from 26% to 22%.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Orange County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Orange County?

There are 649 public K-12 schools in Orange County, California, with a combined enrollment of about 430,458.

How many high schools are in Orange County?

Orange County, California has 111 public high schools, serving approximately 143,989 students.

How many middle schools are in Orange County?

Orange County, California has 88 public middle schools, serving approximately 64,781 students.

How many elementary schools are in Orange County?

Orange County, California has 422 public elementary schools, serving approximately 206,904 students.

What is the largest school district in Orange County?

Capistrano Unified is the largest school district in Orange County, serving approximately 40,251 students. The county contains 80 school districts overall.

How many people live in Orange County?

Orange County has roughly 3,165,820 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.

What is the median household income in Orange County?

Median household income in Orange County is $116,289, above the California average of $89,387. About 6.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line.

How educated are residents of Orange County?

Approximately 44.1% of adults 25 and older in Orange County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.

What share of students in Orange County qualify for free or reduced lunch?

Roughly 55.2% of students in Orange County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the California county average of 60.6%.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Orange County schools?

Across Orange County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 23.3 to 1.

Orange County school rankings

Largest schools All rankings →

DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data