Best Elementary Schools in Orange County, California
Introduction
Orange County has long been one of the most sought-after places to raise a family in Southern California, and its elementary schools are a big part of why. From the master-planned communities of Irvine to the tight-knit neighborhoods of La Palma and Cypress, the county is home to a remarkable concentration of high-performing schools — the kind where strong academics, engaged parents, and well-resourced districts all come together in one place.
If you're a parent trying to figure out where to buy a home, which attendance boundary to land in, or simply how your child's current school stacks up, you've come to the right place. The schools on this list represent the very best of what Orange County's elementary education has to offer, ranking in the 98th percentile or higher across English, Math, and Science compared to all elementary schools in California.
1. Golden Elementary — Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified, Placentia
It doesn't get better than this. Golden Elementary sits at the 100th percentile in English, Math, and Science — a perfect score across the board — making it one of the highest-performing elementary schools not just in Orange County, but in the entire state. Placentia itself is a quieter, more affordable pocket of North Orange County with a genuine neighborhood feel, which makes Golden Elementary something of a hidden gem for families who want top-tier academics without the premium price tag of Irvine. If you're looking for a school that delivers at the highest level while keeping things grounded and community-oriented, Golden Elementary deserves a serious look.
2. Santiago Hills Elementary — Irvine Unified, Irvine
Santiago Hills Elementary is another school that sits at the 100th percentile across all three subjects — English, Math, and Science — and it does so within Irvine Unified, one of the most consistently excellent school districts in California. The school draws from the Santiago Hills neighborhood in the eastern part of Irvine, a well-established area with tree-lined streets, parks, and a strong sense of community that feels a bit more relaxed than some of Irvine's newer, faster-growing neighborhoods. Families who prioritize both academic rigor and a stable, engaged school community will feel right at home here.
3. Jack L. Weaver Elementary — Los Alamitos Unified, Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos Unified has a reputation as one of the best small districts in Orange County, and Jack L. Weaver Elementary is a shining example of why. Scoring at the 100th percentile in both English and Math and the 97th in Science, Weaver sits in an overall 99th percentile — exceptional by any measure. The city of Los Alamitos has a small-town character that's increasingly rare in Southern California: modest in size, fiercely proud of its schools, and the kind of place where parents are deeply involved in their kids' education. For families who want a top-ranked school in a community that still feels like a neighborhood, this one is worth the search.
4. Ethan B. Allen Elementary — Garden Grove Unified, Fountain Valley
Here's a school that might surprise you. Ethan B. Allen Elementary operates under Garden Grove Unified but is located in Fountain Valley — a detail worth knowing if you're school-shopping in the area, since district boundaries don't always follow city lines. The school scores at the 100th percentile in English, 99th in Math, and 97th in Science for an overall 99th percentile ranking, putting it squarely among the elite. Fountain Valley is a solidly middle-class, family-friendly city with a low-key suburban vibe and a community that takes local schools seriously. Families who appreciate a high-achieving school without the flashiness of some higher-profile districts tend to love what Ethan B. Allen has to offer.
5. Turtle Rock Elementary — Irvine Unified, Irvine
Turtle Rock is one of Irvine's most beloved neighborhoods, and the elementary school that serves it lives up to the area's reputation. Scoring at the 99th percentile in English, Math, and Science, Turtle Rock Elementary is a genuinely well-rounded high performer. The neighborhood itself is older by Irvine standards — established in the 1970s and 80s — which gives it a mature, leafy character that feels distinct from Irvine's newer planned communities. Families who want the Irvine Unified pedigree in a neighborhood with a bit more character and history than some of the newer developments tend to gravitate toward Turtle Rock.
Score Trends — Top 5
Golden Elementary is showing modest growth with English scores rising from 108 to 112, though Math dipped slightly from 104 to 102—a mixed picture overall. Santiago Hills Elementary is one of the district's bright spots, with English jumping 9 points (95 to 104) and Math climbing 4 points (104 to 108), making it a school on the rise. Jack L. Weaver Elementary, once a top performer, is facing real challenges with English dropping 7 points (121 to 114) and Math falling sharply by 10 points (107 to 97)—a concerning trend that deserves attention. Ethan B. Allen Elementary is holding steady with minimal movement in English (+1 point) but showing promise in Math with a 5-point gain (87 to 92). Finally, Turtle Rock Elementary is making impressive strides across both subjects, with English surging 10 points (81 to 91) and Math climbing 4 points (86 to 90), marking it as one of the strongest improvers this year.
6. Los Coyotes Elementary — Centralia Elementary District, La Palma
La Palma is one of Orange County's smallest cities — just a few square miles — but it punches well above its weight when it comes to schools. Los Coyotes Elementary, part of the Centralia Elementary District, scores at the 99th percentile in both English and Math and the 97th in Science, landing at an overall 99th percentile. The city has a quiet, residential feel with well-kept neighborhoods and a strong community identity, and the Centralia district has built a solid track record of academic performance. For families looking to buy in a smaller, more affordable North Orange County city without sacrificing school quality, La Palma and Los Coyotes are very much worth considering.
7. Eastshore Elementary — Irvine Unified, Irvine
Eastshore Elementary draws from one of Irvine's newer lakeside communities, and it brings the academic goods to match its picturesque surroundings. The school scores at the 99th percentile in English and Science and the 98th in Math, for an overall 99th percentile ranking. Irvine's Eastshore neighborhood sits near the Woodbridge area, known for its lakes, greenbelts, and family-friendly design — it's the kind of place where kids bike to school and families actually use the parks. Eastshore Elementary tends to attract families who are drawn to Irvine's combination of safety, amenity-rich neighborhoods, and reliably excellent public schools.
8. Orchard Hills — Tustin Unified, Irvine
Orchard Hills is a newer master-planned community in Irvine that falls — perhaps unexpectedly — under the Tustin Unified School District rather than Irvine Unified. The school reflects the ambition of the community it serves, scoring at the 99th percentile in English and Math and the 97th in Science for an overall 99th percentile. The neighborhood is modern and upscale, with newer construction, resort-style amenities, and a strong draw for families relocating from other parts of California or from out of state. Orchard Hills School is a natural anchor for a community where education is a top priority, and the numbers back that up.
9. Robert C. Fisler Elementary — Fullerton Elementary District, Fullerton
Fullerton tends to get overshadowed by its Orange County neighbors when people talk about top school districts, but Robert C. Fisler Elementary makes a strong case for the city's academic credentials. Scoring at the 99th percentile in both English and Math and the 93rd in Science, Fisler lands at an overall 98th percentile — firmly among the county's best. Fullerton itself is a diverse, vibrant city with a historic downtown, a major university, and a mix of housing options that appeals to a wide range of families. Fisler draws a community of motivated parents who recognize that strong schools aren't exclusive to the county's more expensive zip codes.
10. Margaret Landell Elementary — Cypress Elementary District, Cypress
Cypress is another North Orange County city that doesn't always make the top-of-mind list for school-focused homebuyers, but Margaret Landell Elementary is a genuine standout. The school scores at the 99th percentile in English and the 97th in both Math and Science, for an overall 98th percentile ranking. Cypress is a compact, well-maintained city with a reputation for civic pride and community involvement — and Landell's scores reflect the kind of culture that develops when a school and its neighborhood are genuinely invested in each other. For families who want a high-performing school in an accessible, unpretentious community, Cypress and Margaret Landell are well worth a closer look.
Score Trends — #6-10
Los Coyotes Elementary is struggling in both areas, with English declining 4 points (97 to 93) and Math dropping 8 points (90 to 82), signaling the need for intervention. Eastshore Elementary shows an uneven performance with English improving 7 points (90 to 97) but Math declining 6 points (80 to 74), suggesting subject-specific challenges. Orchard Hills is turning things around nicely with English up 4 points (91 to 95) and Math surging 11 points (81 to 92), with Math being a particular strength. Robert C. Fisler Elementary is steadily improving in Math with a strong 10-point gain (85 to 95) while English climbed modestly by 3 points (97 to 100). Margaret Landell Elementary stands out as the district's biggest success story, with English jumping 16 points (85 to 101) and Math rocketing 17 points (60 to 77)—a remarkable turnaround that shows what focused effort can achieve.
How We Rank Schools
The School Advocate ranks elementary schools using California's standardized assessment data across three subjects: English, Math, and Science. English and Math each account for 40% of a school's overall score, while Science makes up the remaining 20%. Scores are converted to percentile rankings so you can see exactly how each school compares to every other elementary school in the state. More recent test results are weighted more heavily than older data, so the rankings reflect where a school stands today — not where it was several years ago. The goal is a straightforward, data-driven picture of academic performance that any parent can understand and use.
Compare Schools Yourself
Numbers tell part of the story, but every family's priorities are different. If you want to put two or more of these schools side by side — or compare a school on this list to one in your current neighborhood — head over to our school comparison tool at /compare. You can stack up percentile scores across subjects, look at how schools have changed over time, and build a clearer picture of which school is the right fit for your family.
Top 50 Rankings
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden Elementary | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified | Placentia | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2 | Santiago Hills Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 3 | Jack L. Weaver Elementary | Los Alamitos Unified | Los Alamitos | 100 | 100 | 99 |
| 4 | Ethan B. Allen Elementary | Garden Grove Unified | Fountain Valley | 100 | 99 | 99 |
| 5 | Turtle Rock Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 6 | Los Coyotes Elementary | Centralia Elementary | La Palma | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 7 | Eastshore Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 99 | 98 | 99 |
| 8 | Orchard Hills | Tustin Unified | Irvine | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 9 | Robert C. Fisler Elementary | Fullerton Elementary | Fullerton | 99 | 99 | 98 |
| 10 | Margaret Landell Elementary | Cypress Elementary | Cypress | 99 | 97 | 98 |
| 11 | Vista Verde | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 97 | 98 | 98 |
| 12 | Stonegate Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 98 | 96 | 98 |
| 13 | Deerfield Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 97 | 97 | 98 |
| 14 | Crescent Elementary | Orange Unified | Anaheim | 98 | 97 | 98 |
| 15 | Patton Elementary | Garden Grove Unified | Garden Grove | 98 | 96 | 97 |
| 16 | Tustin Memorial Elementary | Tustin Unified | Santa Ana | 98 | 97 | 97 |
| 17 | Brywood Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 97 | 97 | 97 |
| 18 | Chaparral Elementary | Capistrano Unified | Ladera Ranch | 98 | 96 | 97 |
| 19 | Newland (William T.) Elementary | Fountain Valley Elementary | Huntington Beach | 98 | 98 | 97 |
| 20 | Richard Henry Lee Elementary | Los Alamitos Unified | Los Alamitos | 98 | 97 | 97 |
| 21 | Canyon Vista Elementary | Capistrano Unified | Aliso Viejo | 98 | 96 | 97 |
| 22 | Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County | Capistrano Unified | Mission Viejo | 97 | 95 | 97 |
| 23 | Plavan (Urbain H.) Elementary | Fountain Valley Elementary | Fountain Valley | 96 | 97 | 97 |
| 24 | Laguna Road Elementary | Fullerton Elementary | Fullerton | 98 | 97 | 97 |
| 25 | Roy O. Andersen Elementary | Newport-Mesa Unified | Newport Beach | 95 | 98 | 97 |
| 26 | Irvine International Academy | Orange County Department of Education | Irvine | 97 | 96 | 96 |
| 27 | Newport Coast Elementary | Newport-Mesa Unified | Newport Beach | 97 | 96 | 96 |
| 28 | Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley | Orange County Department of Education | Lake Forest | 96 | 94 | 96 |
| 29 | Stone Creek Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 96 | 95 | 96 |
| 30 | Anaheim Hills Elementary | Orange Unified | Anaheim | 94 | 95 | 96 |
| 31 | Canyon View Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 96 | 95 | 96 |
| 32 | A. G. Cook Elementary | Garden Grove Unified | Garden Grove | 98 | 94 | 96 |
| 33 | Lakeview Elementary | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified | Yorba Linda | 95 | 96 | 96 |
| 34 | Wagon Wheel Elementary | Capistrano Unified | Coto De Caza | 95 | 95 | 95 |
| 35 | Bryant Ranch Elementary | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified | Yorba Linda | 97 | 93 | 95 |
| 36 | Beechwood Elementary | Fullerton Elementary | Fullerton | 97 | 96 | 95 |
| 37 | Courreges (Roch) Elementary | Fountain Valley Elementary | Fountain Valley | 94 | 95 | 95 |
| 38 | Bonita Canyon Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 95 | 93 | 95 |
| 39 | Acacia Elementary | Fullerton Elementary | Fullerton | 96 | 94 | 95 |
| 40 | Oka (Isojiro) Elementary | Fountain Valley Elementary | Huntington Beach | 96 | 95 | 95 |
| 41 | Top of the World Elementary | Laguna Beach Unified | Laguna Beach | 94 | 95 | 95 |
| 42 | Nohl Canyon Elementary | Orange Unified | Anaheim | 95 | 95 | 95 |
| 43 | Castille Elementary | Capistrano Unified | Mission Viejo | 95 | 94 | 95 |
| 44 | Tamura (Hisamatsu) Elementary | Fountain Valley Elementary | Fountain Valley | 95 | 96 | 95 |
| 45 | Oso Grande Elementary | Capistrano Unified | Ladera Ranch | 96 | 94 | 95 |
| 46 | Portola Hills Elementary | Saddleback Valley Unified | Trabuco Canyon | 94 | 93 | 95 |
| 47 | Ladera Ranch Elementary | Capistrano Unified | Ladera Ranch | 96 | 93 | 95 |
| 48 | Vista del Mar Elementary | Capistrano Unified | San Clemente | 96 | 92 | 95 |
| 49 | Ralph E. Hawes Elementary | Huntington Beach City Elementary | Huntington Beach | 95 | 93 | 95 |
| 50 | Westpark Elementary | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 95 | 92 | 95 |