Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Saddleback Valley Unified

California · Public School District
33
Schools
23,674
Students
$14,959
Per-Pupil Spend
≈ nat'l avg
43.3%
Free Lunch Rate
-9pp vs nat'l
92.3%
Graduation Rate
+5.8pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Saddleback Valley Unified is a public school district in California serving 23,674 students across 33 schools. It includes 22 elementary, 4 middle, 6 high schools. Its graduation rate of 92.3% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $14,959 is near the national average for a US public school district. 43% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Opportunity scores across its schools are moderate, with a district median of 47/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (33)
Middle Schools4 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
La Paz Intermediate07–08706
Los Alisos Intermediate07–08656
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate07–081,041
Serrano Intermediate07–08977
High Schools6 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
El Toro High09–122,031
Esperanza Education Center07–1274
Laguna Hills High09–121,434
Mission Viejo High09–121,646
Silverado High09–12264
Trabuco Hills High09–122,579
Other School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
SVUSD Virtual Academy (Alternative)KG–12202
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$14,959Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
30%
63%
State
29.5%
Local (property tax)
62.5%
Federal
7.9%

This district draws the majority of its budget from local property taxes (63%), typical of wealthier suburban districts.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
33
Schools
23,674
Students
43%
Free Lunch
$15K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate92.3%
Opportunity Score47/100
StateCalifornia →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
92.3% graduation rate — 5.8 points above the national average of 86.5%.
Range of school options
With 33 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Saddleback Valley Unified?
Saddleback Valley Unified has 33 public schools, serving a total of 23,674 students.
What is the graduation rate for Saddleback Valley Unified?
The graduation rate is 92.3%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Saddleback Valley Unified spend per student?
Saddleback Valley Unified spends $14,959 per pupil — 4% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Saddleback Valley Unified?
43% of students in Saddleback Valley Unified qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Saddleback Valley Unified?
No, Saddleback Valley Unified does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Saddleback Valley Unified serve?
Saddleback Valley Unified serves grades KG through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Saddleback Valley Unified?
The median opportunity score across schools in Saddleback Valley Unified is 47/100. 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.