School district · Orange County

Santa Ana Unified schools

Santa Ana Unified’s 38 public elementary schools run from the 4th to the 69th percentile among the 5,726 California elementary schools we score (spring 2026 tests).

Elementary · 38 schools

from 4th to 69th · among 5,726 California elementary schools we score · spring 2026 tests

  • John Muir Fundamental Elementary: 69th percentile, Solid
  • El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts Academy: 63rd percentile, Solid
  • Jim Thorpe Fundamental: 62nd percentile, Solid
  • Greenville Fundamental Elementary: 58th percentile, Solid
  • Santiago Elementary: 57th percentile, Solid
  • Orange County Educational Arts Academy: 57th percentile, Solid
  • Adams Elementary: 52nd percentile, Solid
  • Advanced Learning Academy: 49th percentile, Developing
  • Washington Elementary: 46th percentile, Developing
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary: 39th percentile, Developing
  • Wilson Elementary: 38th percentile, Developing
  • Virginia & William Guzman Elementary: 38th percentile, Developing
  • George Washington Carver Elementary: 38th percentile, Developing
  • Martin Elementary: 35th percentile, Developing
  • Andrew Jackson Elementary: 33rd percentile, Developing
  • Jefferson Elementary: 32nd percentile, Developing
  • Martin R. Heninger Elementary: 32nd percentile, Developing
  • Sierra Preparatory Academy: 27th percentile, Developing
  • Lowell Elementary: 26th percentile, Developing
  • Wallace R. Davis Elementary: 26th percentile, Developing
  • Abraham Lincoln Elementary: 25th percentile, Developing
  • Monroe Elementary: 24th percentile, Needs Support
  • Madison Elementary: 24th percentile, Needs Support
  • Edward B. Cole Academy: 23rd percentile, Needs Support
  • Roosevelt Walker Academy: 21st percentile, Needs Support
  • Heroes Elementary: 19th percentile, Needs Support
  • John F. Kennedy Elementary: 17th percentile, Needs Support
  • Diamond Elementary: 16th percentile, Needs Support
  • Monte Vista Elementary: 13th percentile, Needs Support
  • Carl Harvey Elementary: 13th percentile, Needs Support
  • Romero-Cruz Academy: 11th percentile, Needs Support
  • McFadden Institute of Technology: 11th percentile, Needs Support
  • Manuel Esqueda Elementary: 11th percentile, Needs Support
  • Franklin Elementary: 8th percentile, Needs Support
  • Taft Elementary: 6th percentile, Needs Support
  • Garfield Elementary: 6th percentile, Needs Support
  • Thomas A. Edison Elementary: 5th percentile, Needs Support
  • Pio Pico Elementary: 4th percentile, Needs Support
17Needs Support
14Developing
7Solid
0Strong

One dot per school.

Middle and high school pictures

Middle · 17 schools

from bottom 1% to 79th · among 2,529 California middle schools we score · spring 2026 tests

  • El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts Academy: 79th percentile, Strong
  • Gonzalo Felicitas Mendez Fundamental Intermediate: 64th percentile, Solid
  • Santa Ana Virtual Academy: 63rd percentile, Solid
  • Advanced Learning Academy: 60th percentile, Solid
  • Douglas MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate: 55th percentile, Solid
  • Orange County Educational Arts Academy: 49th percentile, Developing
  • Santiago Elementary: 37th percentile, Developing
  • McFadden Institute of Technology: 24th percentile, Needs Support
  • Manuel Esqueda Elementary: 21st percentile, Needs Support
  • Julia C. Lathrop Intermediate: 16th percentile, Needs Support
  • Raymond A. Villa Fundamental Intermediate: 15th percentile, Needs Support
  • Martin R. Heninger Elementary: 15th percentile, Needs Support
  • Romero-Cruz Academy: 11th percentile, Needs Support
  • Gerald P. Carr Intermediate: 9th percentile, Needs Support
  • Pio Pico Elementary: 3rd percentile, Needs Support
  • Sierra Preparatory Academy: 2nd percentile, Needs Support
  • Willard Intermediate: bottom 1%, Needs Support
10Needs Support
2Developing
4Solid
1Strong

High · 9 schools

from 10th to 96th · among 1,498 California high schools we score · spring 2025 tests

  • Middle College High: 96th percentile, Strong
  • Hector G. Godinez: 73rd percentile, Solid
  • Segerstrom High: 68th percentile, Solid
  • Advanced Learning Academy: 60th percentile, Solid
  • Nova Academy Early College High: 37th percentile, Developing
  • Santa Ana High: 22nd percentile, Needs Support
  • Valley High: 21st percentile, Needs Support
  • Saddleback High: 20th percentile, Needs Support
  • Century High: 10th percentile, Needs Support
4Needs Support
1Developing
3Solid
1Strong

One dot per school. Each stage is placed only among California schools at its own level. 10 of the 53 ranked schools teach more than one level, 1 of them all three, so they appear in more than one picture.

  • 53 ranked schools
  • 3 schools not ranked statewide

Schools around Santa Ana Unified

56 listed public schools with mapped locations.

Open full map →

Loading school locations…

Percentile among California schools at the same level

  • Strong75th+
  • Solid50–74th
  • Developing25–49th
  • Needs Supportbelow 25th
  • Not scored

The school lists on this page are also available without the map.

Elementary schools

Which elementary schools in Santa Ana Unified score highest?

John Muir Fundamental Elementary is highest, at the 69th percentile.

That’s higher than 69 in 100 of the 5,726 California elementary schools we score (spring 2026 tests).

Highest in Santa Ana Unified

Each percentile compares a school with California schools at its own level. What patterns mean

Show the other 35 elementary schools
Context

The average elementary school in Santa Ana Unified had 16 in 100 students chronically absent (missed 10% or more of school days) in 2025–26; the average California elementary school we score had 17 in 100. Both are averages of school rates, each school counted once.

Middle schools

Which middle schools in Santa Ana Unified score highest?

El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts Academy is highest, at the 79th percentile.

That’s higher than 79 in 100 of the 2,529 California middle schools we score (spring 2026 tests).

Highest in Santa Ana Unified

Each percentile compares a school with California schools at its own level. What patterns mean

Show the other 14 middle schools
Context

The average middle school in Santa Ana Unified had 16 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26; the average California middle school we score had 18 in 100.

High schools

Which high schools in Santa Ana Unified score highest?

Middle College High is highest, at the 96th percentile.

That’s higher than 96 in 100 of the 1,498 California high schools we score (spring 2025 tests).

Highest in Santa Ana Unified

Each percentile compares a school with California schools at its own level. What patterns mean

Show the other 6 high schools
Context

The average high school in Santa Ana Unified had 20 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26; the average California high school we score had 22 in 100.

3 high schools not ranked statewide

Continuation schools and court and community schools enroll students differently from a regular school, so each is compared only with its own kind or not ranked.

  • Cesar E. Chavez HighContinuation high school: compared only with other continuation schools
  • Lorin Griset AcademyContinuation high school: compared only with other continuation schools
  • REACH AcademyCommunity day school: students are placed here by probation, district or voluntary referral, including after an expulsion, so we don’t rank it

The district

Where does Santa Ana Unified’s money go, and what does it plan?

Santa Ana Unified spent $27,941 per student in the 2024–25 school year.

The typical California district spent $20,491. About 58 cents of every Santa Ana Unified dollar went to classroom instruction.

Spending by function

Day-to-day spending per student in average daily attendance, from the district’s annual financial report (SACS) to the California Department of Education. District-wide: it includes central administration and costs never assigned to one campus.

Share by function, 2024–25

  • Instruction58%
  • Instruction support14%
  • Student services11%
  • Administration7%
  • Buildings & maintenance9%
  • Other1%

Shares of the same spending total, by the report’s spending categories, rounded so they add up to 100. Names are simplified from the report’s own categories.

What the district plans

$749.1 million

planned in its 2026–27 plan for 39 funded actions in 5 goals. That’s 88% of its $849.9 million general fund budget. These are planned amounts; the district reports what it spent in a later plan.

The plan in short

Source: the district’s yearly spending plan (Local Control and Accountability Plan, or LCAP, 184 pages), as posted to the California School Dashboard.

Where the money goes

Three actions take 55% of the money. The plan itself puts 89% of it toward staff.

  • Highly Qualified Teacher $173.1 million
  • Addressing Special Needs $158.5 million
  • High Quality Instructional Program $77.1 million
  • 36 other actions
Reading, math and catch-up help

4 of the plan’s 39 funded actions name reading, math, catch-up help or English learners in their titles.

Actions whose titles name catch-up help or English learners
  • Catch-up help $36.4 million
  • English learners $4.9 million

Largest of these

  • MTSS - Student Achievement$28.8 million
  • MTSS - Wellness$7.6 million
  • English Learner Program$4.2 million
For high-need students (English learners, low-income students and foster youth), what changed and what its goals measure
For high-need students

It plans $198.1 million in extra services for English learners, low-income students and foster youth. For 2025–26, it planned $269.6 million and estimates it spent $262.5 million, $7.1 million (3%) less than planned (our arithmetic).

What changed

The total is $62.0 million (8%) lower than in the 2025–26 plan. The biggest change in dollars is Broad Course of Study, which went from $47.1 million to $13.7 million.

Largest cuts

  • Broad Course of Study−⁠$33.4 million
  • Lower Class Size−⁠$28.7 million
  • Addressing Special Needs−⁠$27.1 million

Largest increases

  • Future Ready Learning and Work Environments+⁠$24.6 million
  • Educational Partner Communication+⁠$16.7 million
  • Highly Qualified Teacher+⁠$6.1 million

Ask: What did Broad Course of Study pay for, and what changes now that the 2026–27 plan gives it $33.4 million less?

What its goals measure

Read these state results for the district’s own schools as context for the goals they measure; results alone can’t show what the plan caused.

What its goals measure: state results, 2024–25 and 2025–26
Measure2024–252025–26Change
English, every tested grade: Proficient or Advanced in 2025–26, met or exceeded in 2024–25Goal 133%33%no change
Math, every tested grade: Proficient or Advanced in 2025–26, met or exceeded in 2024–25Goal 122%22%no change
Chronically absentCounted across all the district’s students, not averaged by schoolGoal 319 in 10020 in 1001 more in 100
Suspended at least onceGoal 33.7%3.1%down 0.6 pts

Goal 5 tracks named schools and Goals 2 and 4 track other measures, so they aren’t shown here.

Figures from CDE’s state test, chronic absence and suspension files. Test figures cover every grade the district tests (California tests grades 3–8 and 11), so they differ from a profile’s rated grades. We combined the district’s schools ourselves, weighted by students and leaving out charter schools. Chronically absent means a student missed 10% or more of school days.

The plan’s own titles and amounts
  • Highly Qualified Teacher · $173,137,275
  • Addressing Special Needs · $158,521,768
  • High Quality Instructional Program · $77,124,468
The full plan5 goals, 47 measures and where the money goes

We calculate each action’s share of the plan by dividing its planned amount by the total of the plan’s funded actions ($749.1 million).

Where does the money go?

53% to Goal 1. Each box is one action, sized by its planned dollars and coloured by its change since last year’s plan. Tap a box to open its goal.

G1
G3
G4

Change since the 2025–26 plan, same title

  • fell 25% or more
  • fell 10–25%
  • fell 2–10%
  • within 2%
  • grew 2–10%
  • grew 10–25%
  • grew 25% or more
  • new or renamed title
  • not compared: unconfirmed, or repeated across goals
  • small actions drawn together

Every goal, in the plan’s order

Goal 1The SAUSD will deliver a high quality educational program that actualizes our Framework for the Future so…$397.3 million53% of action budgets

“The SAUSD will deliver a high quality educational program that actualizes our Framework for the Future so that learning is authentic, personalized, competency-based, equitable, and inclusive so that all SAUSD students develop self-efficacy and are empowered to become architects of learning, world ready scholars, global innovators, collaborative leaders, empathetic communicators and community builders” p. 20 ↗

14 funded actions · 2025–26 plan: $505.8 million (−⁠$108.6 million)

Largest funded actions

  1. Addressing Special Needs$158.5 millionaction 1.9 · p. 139 ↗
  2. High Quality Instructional Program$77.1 millionaction 1.1 · p. 138 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
  3. Lower Class Size$49.3 millionaction 1.4 · p. 138 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
  4. Early Learning$29.6 millionaction 1.5 · p. 138 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $955,283 is state funding counted toward those services
  5. MTSS - Student Achievement$28.8 millionaction 1.8 · p. 139 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $1.7 million is state funding counted toward those services

9 more funded actions in this goal

  • Broad Course of Study · action 1.7 · p. 138 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $10.4 million is state funding counted toward those services$13.7 million
  • College and Career Readiness · action 1.6 · p. 138 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $8.6 million is state funding counted toward those services$12.2 million
  • Integrated Technology · action 1.3 · p. 138 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$9.9 million
  • Library Services · action 1.12 · p. 139 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$6.1 million
  • Professional Learning - Student Achievement · action 1.14 · p. 139 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $3.4 million is state funding counted toward those services$4.7 million
  • English Learner Program · action 1.10 · p. 139 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $735,176 is state funding counted toward those services$4.2 million
  • Improvement Science Cycles · action 1.2 · p. 138 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$1.7 million
  • Differentiated Assistance - Student Achievement · action 1.13 · p. 139 ↗$0.8 million
  • Supports for LTELs · action 1.11 · p. 139 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$0.7 million

Changes from last year’s plan, same title

  1. Broad Course of Study−⁠$33.4 million$47.1 million → $13.7 million · p. 138 ↗
  2. Lower Class Size−⁠$28.7 million$78.0 million → $49.3 million · p. 138 ↗
  3. Addressing Special Needs−⁠$27.1 million$185.6 million → $158.5 million · p. 139 ↗

Every other line in this goal, against last year’s plan

  • High Quality Instructional Program · $80.5 million → $77.1 million · p. 138 ↗−⁠$3.4 million
  • Early Learning · $26.4 million → $29.6 million · p. 138 ↗+⁠$3.2 million
  • MTSS - Student Achievement · $29.1 million → $28.8 million · p. 139 ↗−⁠$0.3 million
  • College and Career Readiness · $17.9 million → $12.2 million · p. 138 ↗−⁠$5.7 million
  • Integrated Technology · $18.1 million → $9.9 million · p. 138 ↗−⁠$8.3 million
  • Library Services · $5.8 million → $6.1 million · p. 139 ↗+⁠$0.4 million
  • Professional Learning - Student Achievement · $9.0 million → $4.7 million · p. 139 ↗−⁠$4.4 million
  • English Learner Program · $3.5 million → $4.2 million · p. 139 ↗+⁠$0.7 million
  • Improvement Science Cycles · $2.0 million → $1.7 million · p. 138 ↗−⁠$0.3 million
  • Differentiated Assistance - Student Achievement · $1.7 million → $0.8 million · p. 139 ↗−⁠$0.8 million
  • Supports for LTELs · $1.2 million → $0.7 million · p. 139 ↗−⁠$0.5 million

How the plan measures it · 19 measures

None of these has an all-students line we can quote; the plan’s table lists them from p. 20 ↗.

Goal 2SAUSD will leverage full, equal, and equitable partnerships among families, educators, and community partners…$8.5 million1% of action budgets

“SAUSD will leverage full, equal, and equitable partnerships among families, educators, and community partners within the SAUSD, to foster children's learning and development from birth through college and career readiness. FACE, viewed as a practice, not a program, will promote an emphasis on building trusting relationships and shared leadership in order to empower every member of our community to actively contribute to the educational journey, and ensure inclusivity and opportunities for all students to thrive” p. 41 ↗

6 funded actions · 2025–26 plan: $9.2 million (−⁠$783,075)

Largest funded actions

  1. Resource Access for Families$7.8 millionaction 2.2 · p. 139 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $6.6 million is state funding counted toward those services
  2. Capacity Building for Families$0.3 millionaction 2.5 · p. 140 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
  3. Family and Community Events$0.2 millionaction 2.3 · p. 139 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
  4. Professional Learning - FACE$0.1 millionaction 2.6 · p. 140 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
  5. District Parent/​Caregiver, Family and Community Advocacy Groupsunder $0.1 millionaction 2.1 · p. 139 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services

1 more funded action in this goal

  • Family Engagement, Leadership & Volunteerism · action 2.4 · p. 140 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $1,490 is state funding counted toward those servicesunder $0.1 million

Changes from last year’s plan, same title

  1. Family and Community Events−⁠$787,077$976,116 → $189,039 · p. 139 ↗
  2. Resource Access for Families+⁠$0.2 million$7.6 million → $7.8 million · p. 139 ↗
  3. Family Engagement, Leadership & Volunteerism−⁠$167,697$169,287 → $1,590 · p. 140 ↗

Every other line in this goal, against last year’s plan

  • Capacity Building for Families · $380,266 → $307,854 · p. 140 ↗−⁠$72,412
  • Professional Learning - FACE · $77,322 → $141,535 · p. 140 ↗+⁠$64,213
  • District Parent/​Caregiver, Family and Community Advocacy Groups · $6,786 → $4,083 · p. 139 ↗−⁠$2,704

How the plan measures it · 6 measures · 2 quoted

  • High School Graduation Rate p. 43 ↗
    Baseline
    2022-2023 All: 89.7% …
    Target for year 3
    93% for all targeted student groups
  • High School Dropout Rate p. 44 ↗
    Baseline
    2022-2023 All: 8.6% …
    Target for year 3
    5% or lower for all targeted student groups

4 more measures in the plan’s table.

Goal 3The SAUSD community (staff and community partners) will provide students with resources and multi-tiered…$105.8 million14% of action budgets

“The SAUSD community (staff and community partners) will provide students with resources and multi-tiered support to meet their individual social-emotional, mental health, behavioral and physical well-being” p. 53 ↗

11 funded actions · 2025–26 plan: $104.8 million (+⁠$967,894)

Largest funded actions

  1. Expanded Learning Opportunities$57.6 millionaction 3.6 · p. 140 ↗
  2. Integrated Network of Support$17.8 millionaction 3.3 · p. 140 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $13.9 million is state funding counted toward those services
  3. Community Schools Approach$7.7 millionaction 3.8 · p. 141 ↗
  4. Adult Supervision$7.7 millionaction 3.11 · p. 141 ↗
  5. MTSS - Wellness$7.6 millionaction 3.2 · p. 140 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $5.1 million is state funding counted toward those services

6 more funded actions in this goal

  • Professional Learning-Wellness · action 3.10 · p. 141 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$3.1 million
  • Differentiated Assistance - Wellness · action 3.9 · p. 141 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $463,917 is state funding counted toward those services$2.3 million
  • Wrap Around Services · action 3.7 · p. 140 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services · of which $814,963 is state funding counted toward those services$1.6 million
  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL) · action 3.1 · p. 140 ↗$0.3 million
  • PBIS · action 3.4 · p. 140 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$0.2 million
  • Equitable and Inclusive School Culture · action 3.5 · p. 140 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need servicesunder $0.1 million

Changes from last year’s plan, same title

  1. MTSS - Wellness−⁠$6.5 million$14.1 million → $7.6 million · p. 140 ↗
  2. Expanded Learning Opportunities+⁠$3.8 million$53.8 million → $57.6 million · p. 140 ↗
  3. Community Schools Approach+⁠$2.6 million$5.1 million → $7.7 million · p. 141 ↗

Every other line in this goal, against last year’s plan

  • Integrated Network of Support · $17.5 million → $17.8 million · p. 140 ↗+⁠$0.3 million
  • Adult Supervision · $6.9 million → $7.7 million · p. 141 ↗+⁠$0.8 million
  • Professional Learning-Wellness · $3.1 million → $3.1 million · p. 141 ↗+⁠$6,058
  • Differentiated Assistance - Wellness · $0.4 million → $2.3 million · p. 141 ↗+⁠$1.9 million
  • Wrap Around Services · $1.9 million → $1.6 million · p. 140 ↗−⁠$0.3 million
  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL) · $274,537 · p. 140 ↗new or renamed
  • PBIS · $145,344 → $162,241 · p. 140 ↗+⁠$16,897
  • Equitable and Inclusive School Culture · $1.9 million → under $0.1 million · p. 140 ↗−⁠$1.9 million

A reworded title counts as new.

How the plan measures it · 15 measures · 3 quoted

  • Attendance rate p. 55 ↗
    Baseline
    All: 92.5% …
    Target for year 3
    93% or higher for all targeted student groups
  • Chronic absenteeism rate p. 55 ↗
    Baseline
    2022-2023 All: 22.6% …
    Target for year 3
    All - Baseline -15% …
  • Middle School Dropout Rate p. 55 ↗
    Baseline
    2022-2023 All: 2 …
    Target for year 3
    0 for all targeted student groups

12 more measures in the plan’s table.

Goal 4The SAUSD will create systems which improve efficiency, effective internal communication protocols, and…$236.9 million32% of action budgets

“The SAUSD will create systems which improve efficiency, effective internal communication protocols, and implement solutions with a high level of customer service and professionalism, in order to support the educational programs of the district” p. 68 ↗

4 funded actions · 2025–26 plan: $190.4 million (+⁠$46.5 million)

Largest funded actions

  1. Highly Qualified Teacher$173.1 millionaction 4.1 · p. 141 ↗
  2. Future Ready Learning and Work Environments$41.2 millionaction 4.3 · p. 141 ↗
  3. Educational Partner Communication$20.3 millionaction 4.4 · p. 141 ↗
  4. CA Standards Aligned Materials$2.2 millionaction 4.2 · p. 141 ↗

Changes from last year’s plan, same title

  1. Future Ready Learning and Work Environments+⁠$24.6 million$16.6 million → $41.2 million · p. 141 ↗
  2. Educational Partner Communication+⁠$16.7 million$3.5 million → $20.3 million · p. 141 ↗
  3. Highly Qualified Teacher+⁠$6.1 million$167.0 million → $173.1 million · p. 141 ↗

Every other line in this goal, against last year’s plan

  • CA Standards Aligned Materials · $3.2 million → $2.2 million · p. 141 ↗−⁠$1.0 million

How the plan measures it · 3 measures · 2 quoted

  • Rate of compliance with the instructional materials requirements. (Resolution on the Sufficiency of Textbooks-Williams) p. 70 ↗
    Baseline
    2023-2024 100%
    Target for year 3
    100%
  • Percentage of schools in “good” or “exemplary” repair on Facility Inspection Tool (FIT) p. 70 ↗
    Baseline
    2023-2024 100%
    Target for year 3
    100%

1 more measure in the plan’s table.

Goal 5 · Equity Multiplier Focus GoalBy the end of June 2027, SAUSD Equity Multiplier Schools (All Ed Options sites) will increase the graduation…$735,748under 1% of action budgets

“By the end of June 2027, SAUSD Equity Multiplier Schools (All Ed Options sites) will increase the graduation rate through intensive tiered supports in the areas of student case management, individualized academic programming, and restorative practices to increase student engagement and attendance. Students who attend the three schools are transferred from their home school because they require the educational options model to address significant credit deficiencies. Students who attend these schools require tiered academic and social-emotional interventions and support to engage in accelerated learning opportunities designed to put them on a trajectory of academic success and ultimately graduation. The goal is to get students back on a solid trajectory that will enable them to graduate on time with their grade-level peers. Students who achieve this are able to return back to their home school if desired. Given the nature of the educational options model, students, particularly those in USGs, experience significant barriers that this goal is designed to help them overcome. This goal is supported with Equity Multiplier funds, which are being used to supplement, not supplant, services already funded through LCFF and other state and federal programs, in accordance with CDE requirements. Equity Multiplier Schools - Indicators and student groups that were red on the 2023 CA Dashboard Cesar Chavez High School ELA and Math - All, SED, HI ELPI - All Graduation Rate - All, EL, HOM, SED, HI Suspension Rate - All, SED, HI College and Career Indicator - ALL, EL, HOM, SED, SWD, HI Lorin Griset Academy ELA and Math - All, SED, HI ELPI - All Graduation Rate - All, EL, HOM, SED, SWD, HI Suspension Rate - HOM College and Career Indicator - ALL, EL, HOM, SED, SWD, HI REACH Academy Suspension Rate - All, EL, ED, HI College and Career Indicator - ALL, EL, HOM, SED, SWD, HI” p. 77 ↗

4 funded actions · 2025–26 plan: $787,658 (−⁠$51,910)

Largest funded actions

  1. Equity Multiplier - Student Engagement$426,974action 5.1 · p. 141 ↗
  2. Equity Multiplier - Professional Learning$212,933action 5.4 · p. 142 ↗
  3. Equity Multiplier - Student Centered Learning$91,591action 5.2 · p. 142 ↗
  4. Equity Multiplier - School Culture$4,250action 5.3 · p. 142 ↗

Changes from last year’s plan, same title

  1. Equity Multiplier - Student Engagement−⁠$182,227$609,201 → $426,974 · p. 141 ↗
  2. Equity Multiplier - Professional Learning+⁠$146,217$66,716 → $212,933 · p. 142 ↗
  3. Equity Multiplier - School Culture−⁠$8,614$12,864 → $4,250 · p. 142 ↗

Every other line in this goal, against last year’s plan

  • Equity Multiplier - Student Centered Learning · $98,877 → $91,591 · p. 142 ↗−⁠$7,286

How the plan measures it · 4 measures

None of these has an all-students line we can quote; the plan’s table lists them from p. 77 ↗.

All amounts are planned. We read them from the PDF and added up each goal’s actions ourselves. Page links open the plan at that page.

Who goes to the district’s schools
Who attends

Student mix

2024–25 · October enrollment count, 38,378 students
1. Hispanic or Latino: 96%2. Asian: 2%3. White: <1%4. Two or more races: <1%5. Filipino: <1%6. American Indian or Alaska Native: <1%7. Black or African American: <1%8. Not reported: <1%9. Pacific Islander: <1%Student mix2024–25
  1. Hispanic or Latino96%
  2. Asian2%
  3. White<1%
  4. Two or more races<1%
  5. Filipino<1%
  6. American Indian or Alaska Native<1%
  7. Black or African American<1%
  8. Not reported<1%
  9. Pacific Islander<1%
Shares use the district's own October enrollment counts from the CDE, including its charter schools. Rounded labels may not total 100%; segments use the original shares.

Free or reduced-price meals

89%

Across California, 63% of students qualify.

2024–25 · 33,952 of 38,335 students qualify, summed from the CDE’s meal counts for every school it lists under the district, charters included. It comes from a different CDE file than the student mix, so the two totals differ.

The district’s state records

Is the state giving the district extra help?

Santa Ana Unified isn’t getting extra state help in 2026, only the standard support every district gets.

How English learners moved up on the state’s English test

From spring 2025 to spring 2026, 43% of the district’s English learners moved up at least one level on the state’s English test (ELPAC), or stayed at the top (4,026 of 9,325 students). California: 47%. It counts students moving up the test’s levels, so a student can count here before becoming fluent.

3 schools getting state support, 2025–26

Cesar E. Chavez High (Most intensive support, graduation rate) · Lorin Griset Academy (Most intensive support, graduation rate) · REACH Academy (Extra targeted support)

This list covers the district’s own schools; each charter school’s page shows its record. Federal designation under the Every Student Succeeds Act, 2025–26.

Sources: District help (CDE) ↗ · English learner progress (CDE) ↗ · School support (CDE) ↗. State results from the 2026 California School Dashboard.

Which places nearby can you look at next?

Cities in the district

More places (5)

Districts nearby

Common questions

Which public schools in Santa Ana Unified rank highest?

Elementary: John Muir Fundamental Elementary, 69th percentile (Solid). Middle: El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts Academy, 79th percentile (Strong). High: Middle College High, 96th percentile (Strong). Each percentile is among the California schools at the same level we score. A rank doesn’t decide fit or whether a child can enroll.

Does living in the Santa Ana Unified district decide which school my child attends?

Not by itself. Attendance boundaries, programs, transfers and space all matter. Confirm the school for your address, grade and program with the district.
More questions (5)

Are the public schools in Santa Ana Unified good?

Santa Ana Unified’s 38 public elementary schools run from the 4th to the 69th percentile among the 5,726 California elementary schools we score (spring 2026 tests). By band: 7 Solid, 14 Developing and 17 Needs Support. Santa Ana Unified’s 17 public middle schools run from the bottom 1% to the 79th percentile among the 2,529 California middle schools we score (spring 2026 tests). By band: 1 Strong, 4 Solid, 2 Developing and 10 Needs Support. Santa Ana Unified’s 9 public high schools run from the 10th to the 96th percentile among the 1,498 California high schools we score (spring 2025 tests). By band: 1 Strong, 3 Solid, 1 Developing and 4 Needs Support. A percentile compares a school with California public schools at the same level that we score. How we score schools.

How does chronic absence in Santa Ana Unified compare with California?

The average elementary school in Santa Ana Unified had 16 in 100 students chronically absent (missed 10% or more of school days) in 2025–26; the average California elementary school we score had 17 in 100. Both are averages of school rates, each school counted once. The average middle school in Santa Ana Unified had 16 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26; the average California middle school we score had 18 in 100. The average high school in Santa Ana Unified had 20 in 100 students chronically absent in 2025–26; the average California high school we score had 22 in 100. These are averages of school rates: each school counts once, whatever its size.

How much does Santa Ana Unified spend per student?

Santa Ana Unified spent $27,941 per student in the 2024–25 school year. The typical California district spent $20,491. About 58 cents of every Santa Ana Unified dollar went to classroom instruction. Day-to-day spending per student in average daily attendance, from its annual financial report to the California Department of Education. The district’s spending, by function.

What is in Santa Ana Unified’s 2026–27 spending plan?

The district’s 2026–27 spending plan puts $749.1 million into 39 funded actions in 5 goals, 88% of its $849.9 million general fund budget. Its largest goal holds $397.3 million, 53% of the action budgets. The 2026–27 plan, goal by goal.

Where do these results come from?

California’s state tests (CAASPP): spring 2026 for elementary and middle schools, spring 2025 for high schools, and chronic-absence rates for 2025–26, published by the California Department of Education. Percentiles, bands and Scope Scores are SchoolScope’s calculations. How we score schools.

Sources and methodology

This page lists the public schools governed and funded by Santa Ana Unified, with the district’s spending and state accountability records.

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2025–26 elementary and middle school; 2024–25 high school

Percentiles, bands and Scope Scores are SchoolScope’s own calculations from these state files.

View CDE data ↗ (opens in a new tab)How Scope Scores work →

Download these schools (CSV)Free to use under CC BY 4.0 with attribution.