Laguna Beach Unified
Laguna Beach Unified has 4 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 70.6/100 — 26.9 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Laguna Beach High at 78/100, where 41.8% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $24,293 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 10.9%, below the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Avg Score | Schools | Exceeded | Absent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Solid 67.6/100 | 2 | 47.9% | 10.8% |
| Middle | Solid 69.0/100 | 1 | 38.9% | 6.7% |
| High | Strong 78.3/100 | 1 | 41.8% | 15.4% |
K–12 pipeline
The typical school path in Laguna Beach Unified, top-scoring shown first.
District Analysis
Strongest level: Laguna Beach Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 78.3.
Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -8.5pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.
Consistency: Score range of 17.1 points — moderately consistent between schools.
Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 10.9%, 7.2pp above the state average of 18.1%.
Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 2.0%, near the state average of 1.7%.
Top school: Laguna Beach High leads the district at 78 with 41.8% exceeding standard.
How we score · Scope Score methodology
School archetypes in Laguna Beach Unified
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Student demographics
District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data
District Funding
Laguna Beach Unified spends $24,293 per student in current expenditures — $9,479 above the state average of $14,815.
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020
Teacher compensation
CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25
Elementary Schools (2)
Laguna Beach Unified has 2 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 67.6 — 23.8 points above the state average of 43.8. 1 of 2 elementary schools score above 70.
Growth averages -8.5pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring elementary school is Top of the World Elementary with a Scope Score of 74 and 53.0% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Top of the World Elementary Laguna Beach Unified High Ceiling | 53.0% | Strong 74/100 |
| 2 | El Morro Elementary Laguna Beach Unified Solid Base | 42.8% | Solid 61/100 |
Middle Schools (1)
Laguna Beach Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 69.0 — 28.6 points above the state average of 40.5.
District-wide growth averages +5.0pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.
The highest-scoring middle school is Thurston Middle with a Scope Score of 69 and 38.9% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thurston Middle Laguna Beach Unified Building Momentum | 38.9% | Solid 69/100 |
High Schools (1)
Laguna Beach Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 78.3 — 30.8 points above the state average of 47.5. 1 of 1 high schools score above 70.
The highest-scoring high school is Laguna Beach High with a Scope Score of 78 and 41.8% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laguna Beach High Laguna Beach Unified Strong All-Around | 41.8% | Strong 78/100 |
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.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Laguna Beach Unified
- 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district
Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology