Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Capistrano Unified

California · Public School District
59
Schools
41,749
Students
$15,077
Per-Pupil Spend
+5% nat'l
34.3%
Free Lunch Rate
-18pp vs nat'l
96.3%
Graduation Rate
+9.8pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Capistrano Unified is a public school district in California serving 41,749 students across 59 schools. It includes 37 elementary, 13 middle, 9 high schools. Its graduation rate of 96.3% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $15,077 is near the national average for a US public school district. 34% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Opportunity scores across its schools are moderate, with a district median of 49/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (59)
Elementary Schools37 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Arroyo Vista ElementaryKG–05498
Bathgate ElementaryKG–05593
Canyon Vista ElementaryKG–05467
Capistrano Home/VirtualKG–08107
Carl Hankey ElementaryKG–05321
Castille ElementaryKG–05505
Chaparral ElementaryKG–05627
Clarence Lobo ElementaryKG–05357
Concordia ElementaryKG–05516
Del Obispo ElementaryKG–05319
Don Juan Avila ElementaryKG–05668
EsenciaKG–05873
George White ElementaryKG–05396
Harold Ambuehl ElementaryKG–05308
Hidden Hills ElementaryKG–05327
John Malcom ElementaryKG–05548
Kinoshita ElementaryKG–05369
Ladera Ranch ElementaryKG–05605
Laguna Niguel ElementaryKG–05403
Las Flores ElementaryKG–05352
Las Palmas ElementaryKG–05725
Marblehead ElementaryKG–05246
Marian Bergeson ElementaryKG–05506
Moulton ElementaryKG–05550
Oak Grove ElementaryKG–05589
Oso Grande ElementaryKG–05916
Palisades ElementaryKG–05343
Philip J. Reilly ElementaryKG–05416
Richard Henry Dana ElementaryKG–05294
Richard Henry Dana Exceptional NeedsKG–0630
San Juan ElementaryKG–05697
Tijeras Creek ElementaryKG–05340
Truman Benedict ElementaryKG–05600
Viejo ElementaryKG–05467
Vista del Mar ElementaryKG–05734
Wagon Wheel ElementaryKG–05431
Wood Canyon ElementaryKG–05423
Middle Schools13 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Aliso Viejo Middle06–08819
Arroyo Vista Middle06–08301
Bernice Ayer Middle06–08883
Carl Hankey Middle06–08190
Don Juan Avila Middle06–08916
Esencia Middle06–08229
Ladera Ranch Middle06–081,196
Las Flores Middle06–08571
Marco Forster Middle06–081,082
Newhart Middle06–081,038
Niguel Hills Middle06–08721
Shorecliffs Middle06–08721
Vista del Mar Middle06–08549
High Schools9 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Aliso Niguel High09–122,774
Bridges Community Day07–1212
California Preparatory Academy09–12225
Capistrano Union High09–12150
Capistrano Valley High09–122,029
Dana Hills High09–121,965
San Clemente High09–122,838
San Juan Hills High09–122,857
Tesoro High09–122,217
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$15,077Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
31%
61%
State
31.0%
Local (property tax)
61.2%
Federal
7.7%

This district draws the majority of its budget from local property taxes (61%), typical of wealthier suburban districts.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
59
Schools
41,749
Students
34%
Free Lunch
$15K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate96.3%
Opportunity Score49/100
StateCalifornia →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
96.3% graduation rate — 9.8 points above the national average of 86.5%.
Range of school options
With 59 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Capistrano Unified?
Capistrano Unified has 59 public schools, serving a total of 41,749 students.
What is the graduation rate for Capistrano Unified?
The graduation rate is 96.3%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Capistrano Unified spend per student?
Capistrano Unified spends $15,077 per pupil — 5% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Capistrano Unified?
34% of students in Capistrano Unified qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Capistrano Unified?
No, Capistrano Unified does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Capistrano Unified serve?
Capistrano Unified serves grades KG through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Capistrano Unified?
The median opportunity score across schools in Capistrano Unified is 49/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.