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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
1%
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
88
64,781 students
High
111
143,989 students
Combined / other
28
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
2%
Asian
22%
Two or more
18%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
22%
Hispanic
49%
Black
1%
Asian
21%
Two or more
7%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
44.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.4%
civilian labor
Median age
39
21.0% under 18

Test scores in Orange County

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

See all 539 schools in Orange County ranked by score →

All schools (649)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Melrose ElementaryPlacentiaElementaryKG-05354·
Roy O. Andersen ElementaryNewport BeachElementaryKG-06353·
Cesar E. Chavez HighSanta AnaHigh09-12350·
Esencia MiddleRancho Mission ViejoMiddle06-08349·
Monte Vista ElementarySanta AnaElementaryKG-05348·
Golden View ElementaryHuntington BeachElementaryKG-05346·
A. G. Cook ElementaryGarden GroveElementaryKG-06345·
Ladera ElementaryTustinElementaryKG-05345·
Las Lomas ElementaryLa HabraElementaryKG-05345·
Everett A. Rea ElementaryCosta MesaElementaryKG-06344·
Harbor View ElementaryCorona Del MarElementaryKG-06344·
Franklin ElementarySanta AnaElementaryKG-05343·
Henry (Patrick) ElementaryAnaheimElementaryKG-06343·
Arthur F. Corey ElementaryBuena ParkElementaryKG-05341·
Newport ElementaryNewport BeachElementaryKG-06339·
Post ElementaryWestminsterElementaryKG-06338·
College View ElementaryHuntington BeachElementaryKG-05337·
Woodbury ElementaryGarden GroveElementaryKG-06337·
Abraham Lincoln ElementaryCorona Del MarElementaryKG-06336·
Newhope ElementarySanta AnaElementaryKG-06334·
Palisades ElementaryCapistrano BeachElementaryKG-05332·
Prospect ElementaryOrangeElementaryKG-06332·
Susan B. Anthony ElementaryWestminsterElementaryKG-06332·
Thomas A. Edison ElementarySanta AnaElementaryKG-05332·
Orange County Special EducationCosta MesaCombinedKG-12331·
Hidden Hills ElementaryLaguna NiguelElementaryKG-05330·
Arroyo Vista MiddleRancho Santa MargaritaMiddle06-08329·
Clarence Lobo ElementarySan ClementeElementaryKG-05328·
Las Flores ElementaryRancho Santa MargaritaElementaryKG-05328·
Genevieve M. Crosby ElementaryGarden GroveElementaryKG-06325·
Harold Ambuehl ElementarySan Juan CapistranoElementaryKG-05324·
John Marshall ElementaryWestminsterElementaryKG-06323·
Wilson ElementaryCosta MesaElementaryKG-06323·
Adams ElementaryCosta MesaElementaryKG-06321·
Chapman Hills ElementaryOrangeElementaryKG-06321·
Adams ElementarySanta AnaElementaryKG-05320·
Fryberger ElementaryWestminsterElementaryKG-05319·
Olive ElementaryOrangeElementaryKG-06319·
Finley ElementaryWestminsterElementaryKG-05316·
Maple ElementaryFullertonElementaryKG-06315·
Tijeras Creek ElementaryRancho Santa MargaritaElementaryKG-05315·
Schmitt ElementaryWestminsterElementaryKG-05314·
Webber ElementaryWestminsterElementaryKG-06314·
Barbara Benson ElementaryTustinElementaryKG-05313·
California Pacific Charter - San DiegoCosta MesaCombinedKG-12310·
Del Obispo ElementarySan Juan CapistranoElementaryKG-05310·
Glen Yermo ElementaryMission ViejoElementaryKG-06308·
Wakeham ElementaryGarden GroveElementaryKG-06307·
Rosita ElementarySanta AnaElementaryKG-06305·
Woodcrest ElementaryFullertonElementaryKG-06303·
Hermosa Drive ElementaryFullertonElementaryKG-06302·
Kinoshita ElementarySan Juan CapistranoElementaryKG-05302·
Victoria ElementaryCosta MesaElementaryKG-06301·
La Vista High (Continuation)FullertonHigh09-12298·
OCCS:CHEP/PCHSTustinCombinedKG-12290·
Linda Vista ElementaryOrangeElementaryKG-06289·
Esplanade ElementaryOrangeElementaryKG-06288·
Nova Academy Early College HighSanta AnaHigh09-12288·
Palm Lane Global AcademyAnaheimElementaryKG-06288·
Carl Hankey ElementaryMission ViejoElementaryKG-05284·
Lorin Griset AcademySanta AnaHigh09-12283·
Merton E. Hill ElementaryGarden GroveElementaryKG-06278·
C. C. Violette ElementaryGarden GroveElementaryKG-06271·
Carl Harvey ElementarySanta AnaElementaryKG-05268·
Commonwealth ElementaryFullertonElementaryKG-06268·
Tustin ConnectTustinCombinedKG-12268·
Pomona ElementaryCosta MesaElementaryKG-06264·
Linda Vista Magnet ElementaryMission ViejoElementaryKG-06263·
Valley Vista HighFountain ValleyHigh09-12263·
California Republic Leadership Academy CapistranoSan Juan CapistranoElementaryKG-08260·
Vista Meridian Global AcademySanta AnaHigh09-12260·
ParkviewPlacentiaCombinedKG-12259·
Orange County Academy of Sciences and ArtsLaguna NiguelElementaryKG-05249·
Garden Park ElementaryGarden GroveElementaryKG-06248·
Lord Baden-PowellAnaheimElementaryKG-06248·
Linton T. Simmons ElementaryGarden GroveElementaryKG-06247·
Vibrant Minds CharterAnaheimElementaryKG-06245·
La Sierra High (Alternative)FullertonHigh09-12236·
Village View ElementaryHuntington BeachElementaryKG-05236·
HopeBuena ParkHigh07-12231·
Louis G. Zeyen ElementaryGarden GroveElementaryKG-06230·
OUSD EDGE Virtual AcademyOrangeCombinedKG-12229·
San Joaquin ElementaryLaguna HillsElementaryKG-06221·
Marie L. Hare HighGarden GroveHigh07-12218·
Monroe ElementarySanta AnaElementaryKG-05217·
Orange County Workforce Innovation HighAnaheimHigh09-12210·
Silverado HighMission ViejoHigh09-12200·
California Preparatory AcademySan Juan CapistranoHigh09-12198·
Cambridge Virtual AcademyAnaheimHigh07-12195·
Marblehead ElementarySan ClementeElementaryKG-05195·
Tomorrow's Leadership Collaborative (TLC) CharterOrangeElementaryKG-06192·
ACCESS Juvenile HallCosta MesaCombinedKG-12186·
Opportunities for Learning - CapistranoSan Juan CapistranoHigh07-12185·
Carl Hankey MiddleMission ViejoMiddle06-08181·
Early College HighCosta MesaHigh09-12177·
College and Career Preparatory AcademyFountain ValleyHigh09-12168·
Richland Continuation HighOrangeHigh09-12165·
Coast HighHuntington BeachHigh09-12159·
Sycamore Creek Community CharterHuntington BeachElementaryKG-08158·
SVUSD Virtual Academy (Alternative)Mission ViejoCombinedKG-12149·

Cities in Orange County

Santa Ana82 schoolsAnaheim72 schoolsIrvine53 schoolsGarden Grove52 schoolsHuntington Beach32 schoolsCosta Mesa29 schoolsOrange29 schoolsFullerton26 schoolsMission Viejo23 schoolsWestminster19 schoolsPlacentia18 schoolsTustin18 schoolsSan Juan Capistrano16 schoolsFountain Valley15 schoolsBuena Park14 schoolsLa Habra14 schoolsYorba Linda12 schoolsBrea10 schoolsLake Forest10 schoolsNewport Beach10 schoolsSan Clemente10 schoolsAliso Viejo9 schoolsCypress9 schoolsLaguna Niguel9 schoolsLos Alamitos8 schoolsRancho Santa Margarita8 schoolsLa Palma5 schoolsDana Point4 schoolsLadera Ranch4 schoolsLaguna Beach4 schoolsLaguna Hills4 schoolsVilla Park4 schoolsTrabuco Canyon3 schoolsCorona Del Mar2 schoolsLas Flores2 schoolsMidway City2 schoolsRancho Mission Viejo2 schoolsStanton2 schoolsCapistrano Beach1 schoolCoto De Caza1 schoolFoothill Ranch1 schoolSeal 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 schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data