Best High Schools in Orange County, California
Introduction
Orange County doesn't have a shortage of good schools — but if you're looking for the best high schools in the county, the gap between good and exceptional becomes very clear, very quickly. Whether you're relocating to the area, considering a move across town, or simply doing your homework before your student enters high school, Orange County offers a remarkable range of high-performing public schools spread across some of Southern California's most desirable communities.
What's striking about this list is how geographically diverse it is. These aren't all clustered in one affluent enclave — you'll find standout schools from Fullerton and Cypress in the north to Laguna Beach in the south, from inland Irvine to coastal Fountain Valley. That breadth means there's likely a top-tier public school within reach no matter where in Orange County you're planting roots. Here's a closer look at the schools that rose to the top.
1. Oxford Academy — Anaheim Union High School District, Cypress
Oxford Academy is in a category of its own. Scoring at the 100th percentile in English, Math, and Science, it's the highest-ranked high school in Orange County — and one of the top public schools in all of California. Oxford is a magnet school, meaning admission is competitive and students apply to attend, which naturally draws highly motivated learners from across the Anaheim Union district. For families who prioritize rigorous academics and a college-prep culture, this is the gold standard. Cypress itself is a quieter, well-established community in northwest Orange County, offering a suburban feel without the price tag of some of its neighbors to the south.
2. Troy High — Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Fullerton
Troy High has long been one of Orange County's most respected public schools, and its scores at the 99th percentile across English, Math, and Science confirm that reputation is well-earned. Known for its strong IB (International Baccalaureate) program and a culture that genuinely values academic achievement, Troy draws students who are serious about learning and competitive about where they're headed after graduation. Fullerton is a college town at heart — home to Cal State Fullerton and a vibrant downtown — and that energy tends to permeate the community around the school. Families who love a neighborhood with character, good coffee shops, and a strong sense of local pride often fall in love with Fullerton.
3. Tesoro High — Capistrano Unified School District, Las Flores
Tesoro High sits in the rolling hills of Las Flores, a master-planned community tucked into the foothills of south Orange County near Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo. Scoring at the 97th percentile in both English and Science and the 95th in Math, Tesoro is a consistently high-performing neighborhood school that serves one of the more affluent and family-focused corners of the county. This is the kind of school where parents are deeply involved, athletics and academics coexist comfortably, and students benefit from a community that takes education seriously. If you're drawn to the quieter, master-planned side of Orange County — think safe streets, good parks, and neighbors who know each other — the area around Tesoro is worth a serious look.
4. Arnold O. Beckman High — Tustin Unified School District, Irvine
Don't let the Tustin Unified district name throw you off — Beckman High is physically located in Irvine, serving a portion of the city that falls within Tustin's boundaries. It scores at the 97th percentile in English and the 96th in Science, with Math close behind at the 95th. Beckman has a reputation for a well-rounded student body: academically driven, but also active in extracurriculars, arts, and athletics. The surrounding Irvine neighborhoods are classic Orange County suburb — clean, planned, and packed with young families who chose the area specifically for its schools. For parents who want Irvine's amenities and school culture without necessarily being in the Irvine Unified district, Beckman is a genuinely compelling option.
5. OCSA (Orange County School of the Arts) — Orange County Department of Education, Santa Ana
OCSA is unlike any other school on this list — and that's entirely the point. The Orange County School of the Arts is a public charter school that combines serious conservatory-style arts training with a rigorous academic curriculum, landing at the 95th percentile in English, the 97th in Math, and the 96th in Science. Students audition for one of several conservatory programs — from film to classical voice to creative writing to dance — and then take their academic courses alongside that specialized training. The result is a school full of kids who are deeply passionate, unusually self-directed, and often headed toward both competitive universities and professional creative careers. Located in Santa Ana, the campus draws students from all over the county, making it one of the most socioeconomically and creatively diverse schools in Orange County.
Score Trends — Top 5
Oxford Academy and Troy High are leading the charge with solid improvements across both subjects. Oxford Academy showed steady growth with English scores rising from 146 to 153 and Math climbing from 141 to 148—gains of 7 points each that keep them among the district's strongest performers. Troy High delivered even more impressive results, with Math jumping 15 points (85 to 100) and English gaining 14 points (115 to 129), demonstrating particularly strong momentum in Math. Tesoro High posted the most dramatic turnaround of this group, with English skyrocketing 33 points from 86 to 119 and Math surging 20 points from 26 to 46—a remarkable transformation that suggests successful intervention strategies are paying off. In contrast, Arnold O. Beckman High is moving in the wrong direction, with English dropping 5 points (109 to 104) and Math slipping 3 points (41 to 38), signaling a need for renewed attention.
6. La Quinta High — Garden Grove Unified School District, Westminster
La Quinta High is one of the more quietly impressive schools in Orange County, scoring at the 97th percentile in English, the 96th in Math, and the 93rd in Science. Located in Westminster — a city with a rich Vietnamese-American cultural heritage and one of the most vibrant Little Saigon communities in the country — La Quinta reflects the academic ambitions of a community that deeply values education and hard work. The school benefits from a motivated student body and a district that punches above its weight academically. For families settling in northwest Orange County, particularly those drawn to Westminster's unique cultural fabric and relatively affordable housing compared to coastal or Irvine-area communities, La Quinta is a genuinely strong option that often flies under the radar.
7. Northwood High — Irvine Unified School District, Irvine
Northwood High is part of the well-regarded Irvine Unified School District, and it shows — with scores at the 91st percentile in English, the 97th in Math, and the 96th in Science. Math and science are clear strengths here, which likely reflects both the school's curriculum focus and the professional backgrounds of many families in the surrounding Northwood neighborhood. Irvine is famously one of the most planned cities in America, and the neighborhoods around Northwood exemplify that: walkable, meticulously maintained, with a strong sense of community. Families who work in tech, healthcare, or engineering tend to gravitate toward this part of Irvine, and the school culture reflects those values.
8. Sunny Hills High — Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Fullerton
Sunny Hills High shares a district with Troy but has its own distinct identity and loyal following. Scoring at the 95th percentile in both English and Math, with Science close behind at the 90th, Sunny Hills is a comprehensive high school that offers strong academics without the hyper-selective atmosphere of a magnet program. It's the kind of school where a well-rounded student can genuinely thrive — competitive enough to challenge high achievers, but also supportive of students who want to pursue athletics, arts, or leadership alongside their coursework. The Fullerton neighborhoods that feed Sunny Hills tend to be established and family-oriented, with tree-lined streets and a pride-of-place that longtime residents wear openly.
9. Laguna Beach High — Laguna Beach Unified School District, Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach High School occupies one of the most beautiful settings of any high school in California — and honestly, in the country. Perched in the hills above one of Southern California's most beloved coastal towns, the school scores at the 94th percentile in English, the 93rd in Math, and the 94th in Science, earning an overall ranking at the 95th percentile. Laguna Beach has always had a strong arts identity, and that creative spirit infuses the school alongside its academics. Families who choose Laguna Beach tend to be drawn to the lifestyle as much as the schools — the beaches, the galleries, the small-town feeling that somehow coexists with an international tourist destination. It's a genuinely special place, and the high school reflects the community's values around both excellence and creativity.
10. Fountain Valley High — Huntington Beach Union High School District, Fountain Valley
Fountain Valley High rounds out this list with scores at the 93rd percentile in English, the 93rd in Math, and the 94th in Science — strong, consistent performance that reflects a community that quietly takes education seriously. Fountain Valley sits between Huntington Beach and Westminster, offering a middle-ground suburban feel with good access to the coast without the premium price of living directly on it. The school has a reputation for solid academics and a broad range of programs, making it a good fit for families who want a well-resourced comprehensive high school rather than a specialized or magnet environment. It's the kind of school that doesn't always make headlines but consistently delivers for the students who attend it.
Score Trends — #6-10
La Quinta High and Northwood High are emerging as success stories, with both schools showing significant gains in Math. La Quinta's Math scores nearly doubled, jumping 29 points from 29 to 58, while English edged up 6 points to 102—a welcome turnaround that speaks to targeted Math support efforts. Northwood also impressed with English rising 18 points (64 to 82) and Math climbing 12 points (48 to 60), proving that consistent improvement across both subjects is achievable. Sunny Hills High rounded out the positive trend with English gains of 12 points and Math improvements of 16 points, showing balanced progress. Unfortunately, Laguna Beach High and OCSA are struggling: Laguna Beach saw English plummet 14 points (100 to 86) and Math drop 18 points (48 to 30), while OCSA's Math fell 9 points despite flat English scores.
How We Rank Schools
The rankings on The School Advocate are based on student performance data across three subjects: English, Math, and Science. English and Math are each weighted at 40% of the overall score, while Science accounts for the remaining 20%. Rather than treating all years equally, our methodology weights more recent academic years more heavily — so a school's current trajectory matters, not just its historical average. This approach is designed to give parents the most accurate picture of where a school stands today, not where it stood five years ago. All scores are expressed as percentiles, so you can see at a glance how each school compares to every other public high school in California.
Compare Schools Yourself
Numbers tell part of the story, but every family's priorities are different. If you want to dig deeper — compare two or three schools side by side, look at individual subject performance, or explore schools in a specific district — head over to our school comparison tool at /compare. It's free to use and lets you build the kind of customized comparison that a ranked list simply can't offer. Whether you're deciding between two neighborhoods or just want to confirm your instincts, it's a good place to spend a few minutes.
Top 50 Rankings
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford Academy | Anaheim Union High | Cypress | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2 | Troy High | Fullerton Joint Union High | Fullerton | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 3 | Tesoro High | Capistrano Unified | Las Flores | 97 | 95 | 97 |
| 4 | Arnold O. Beckman High | Tustin Unified | Irvine | 97 | 95 | 97 |
| 5 | OCSA | Orange County Department of Education | Santa Ana | 95 | 97 | 96 |
| 6 | La Quinta High | Garden Grove Unified | Westminster | 97 | 96 | 96 |
| 7 | Northwood High | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 91 | 97 | 95 |
| 8 | Sunny Hills High | Fullerton Joint Union High | Fullerton | 95 | 95 | 95 |
| 9 | Laguna Beach High | Laguna Beach Unified | Laguna Beach | 94 | 93 | 95 |
| 10 | Fountain Valley High | Huntington Beach Union High | Fountain Valley | 93 | 93 | 94 |
| 11 | Aliso Niguel High | Capistrano Unified | Aliso Viejo | 93 | 91 | 94 |
| 12 | Portola High | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 89 | 96 | 93 |
| 13 | Woodbridge High | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 88 | 94 | 93 |
| 14 | Capistrano Valley High | Capistrano Unified | Mission Viejo | 88 | 88 | 90 |
| 15 | Irvine High | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 85 | 92 | 89 |
| 16 | Pacifica High | Garden Grove Unified | Garden Grove | 89 | 90 | 89 |
| 17 | Yorba Linda High | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified | Yorba Linda | 85 | 90 | 89 |
| 18 | San Juan Hills High | Capistrano Unified | San Juan Capistrano | 87 | 87 | 89 |
| 19 | Canyon High | Orange Unified | Anaheim | 92 | 86 | 88 |
| 20 | University High | Irvine Unified | Irvine | 74 | 95 | 88 |
| 21 | El Dorado High | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified | Placentia | 88 | 87 | 87 |
| 22 | Los Alamitos High | Los Alamitos Unified | Los Alamitos | 87 | 85 | 86 |
| 23 | San Clemente High | Capistrano Unified | San Clemente | 85 | 88 | 86 |
| 24 | Trabuco Hills High | Saddleback Valley Unified | Mission Viejo | 84 | 86 | 86 |
| 25 | Garden Grove High | Garden Grove Unified | Garden Grove | 86 | 83 | 85 |
| 26 | Valencia High | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified | Placentia | 81 | 86 | 85 |
| 27 | Foothill High | Tustin Unified | Santa Ana | 79 | 85 | 84 |
| 28 | Cypress High | Anaheim Union High | Cypress | 77 | 88 | 84 |
| 29 | Mission Viejo High | Saddleback Valley Unified | Mission Viejo | 80 | 82 | 83 |
| 30 | Corona del Mar High | Newport-Mesa Unified | Newport Beach | 72 | 91 | 83 |
| 31 | Marina High | Huntington Beach Union High | Huntington Beach | 74 | 88 | 83 |
| 32 | Edison High | Huntington Beach Union High | Huntington Beach | 79 | 84 | 82 |
| 33 | John F. Kennedy High | Anaheim Union High | La Palma | 85 | 79 | 82 |
| 34 | Huntington Beach High | Huntington Beach Union High | Huntington Beach | 72 | 86 | 81 |
| 35 | Bolsa Grande High | Garden Grove Unified | Garden Grove | 78 | 84 | 81 |
| 36 | Brea Olinda High | Brea-Olinda Unified | Brea | 71 | 84 | 81 |
| 37 | Esperanza High | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified | Anaheim | 78 | 81 | 80 |
| 38 | Westminster High | Huntington Beach Union High | Westminster | 82 | 78 | 80 |
| 39 | Dana Hills High | Capistrano Unified | Dana Point | 77 | 75 | 77 |
| 40 | Newport Harbor High | Newport-Mesa Unified | Newport Beach | 73 | 78 | 77 |
| 41 | Sonora High | Fullerton Joint Union High | La Habra | 80 | 75 | 76 |
| 42 | El Toro High | Saddleback Valley Unified | Lake Forest | 68 | 75 | 73 |
| 43 | Fullerton Union High | Fullerton Joint Union High | Fullerton | 72 | 71 | 71 |
| 44 | Hector G. Godinez | Santa Ana Unified | Santa Ana | 71 | 68 | 67 |
| 45 | El Modena High | Orange Unified | Orange | 64 | 58 | 66 |
| 46 | Rancho Alamitos High | Garden Grove Unified | Garden Grove | 61 | 64 | 65 |
| 47 | Villa Park High | Orange Unified | Villa Park | 60 | 61 | 65 |
| 48 | Los Amigos High | Garden Grove Unified | Fountain Valley | 65 | 63 | 64 |
| 49 | Segerstrom High | Santa Ana Unified | Santa Ana | 60 | 62 | 63 |
| 50 | Laguna Hills High | Saddleback Valley Unified | Laguna Hills | 52 | 64 | 63 |