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Elementary Schools in Laguna Niguel, California

Above Average2024–25 data7 schools · avg 63.5/100

Laguna Niguel, California has 7 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 63.5/100 — 19.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Laguna Niguel Elementary at 72/100, where 52.3% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Laguna Niguel schools average 41.1% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 7 schools, 2 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 13.7% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
63.5
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
29.2
43.0 – 72.2
Avg Exceeded %
41.1%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
13.7%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
7
With Scope Scores

How Laguna Niguel schools compare

Laguna Niguel's 7 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 63.5 — 19.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 43.0 to 72.2, a 29.2-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Laguna Niguel Elementary with a Scope Score of 72 and 52.3% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling schools: Laguna Niguel schools average 41.1% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just getting students to proficiency, they're pushing them further.

Chronic absenteeism in Laguna Niguel averages 13.7%, which is above the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Laguna Niguel

3 Strong All-Around2 High Ceiling2 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Schools in Laguna Niguel ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Laguna Niguel Elementary
Capistrano Unified High Ceiling
52.3%Strong
72/100
2Marian Bergeson Elementary
Capistrano Unified High Ceiling
50.2%Strong
71/100
3Moulton Elementary
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
46.3%Solid
69/100
4George White Elementary
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
39.9%Solid
65/100
5John Malcom Elementary
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
41.1%Solid
65/100
6Niguel Hills Middle
Capistrano Unified Building Momentum
35.8%Solid
59/100
7Hidden Hills Elementary
Capistrano Unified Building Momentum
22.0%Developing
43/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Laguna Niguel

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Mcdowell School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-5 · 78 students
3:1Private
Laguna Niguel Montessori Center
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-1 · 55 students
14:1Private
Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy
Pentecostal · Grades Pre-K-8 · 44 students
15:1Private
Mission Lutheran School
Islamic · Grades Pre-K-TK · 37 students
12:1Private
Kensington Montessorri School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-TK · 18 students
5:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Laguna Niguel

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Laguna Niguel good?
Laguna Niguel's 7 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 63.5/100, which is 19.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. 41.1% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Laguna Niguel?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Laguna Niguel is Laguna Niguel Elementary with a Scope Score of 72/100 and 52.3% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Laguna Niguel schools compare to the state average?
Laguna Niguel elementary schools average a Scope Score of 63.5 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (19.7 points above). The exceeded rate averages 41.1% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 13.7% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 43.0 to 72.2, a 29.2-point spread.
How many schools are in Laguna Niguel?
Laguna Niguel has 7 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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