One of the main factors being considered by homebuyers with kids or those who are planning to start a family when shopping for a property in a new location is the quality of the neighborhood schools. In Laguna Beach, one can rest assured that there are reputable schools that provide excellent quality of education within the area. Laguna Beach is served by the Laguna Beach Unified School District, which governs four schools, which consistently rank high in the state of California:

• El Morro Elementary School
• Top of the World Elementary School
• Thurston Middle School
• Laguna Beach High School

In addition to these four public schools, there are three private schools that serve students living in Laguna Beach:

• Anneliese Schools (PK – 6)
• Montessori School of Laguna Beach (PK – K)
• Catherine of Siena Parish School (PK – 8)

Laguna Beach Unified School District is highly regarded as one of the top school districts not only in Orange County, but also in the state of California. Students are prepared to become lifelong learners and producers in this competitive and interconnected world, and approximately 95% of students go on to attend colleges and universities. Laguna Beach Unified schools rate 10 out of 10 on GreatSchools, one of the most trusted resources for educational institutions, and are often recognized with the California Distinguished Schools Award and the California Gold Ribbon Schools Award.

Best Elementary Schools in Laguna Beach, CA  

El Morro Elementary School

El Morro Elementary School is a top public elementary school in Laguna Beach, CA whose academic program focuses on the core subjects and academic rigor balanced with enrichment programs, fostering a well-rounded student experience. The school exposes its students to famous artists and motivate them to create their own works of art through its well-known Art Masters Program. El Morro serves 558 students from Kindergarten to Grade 5, with a student to teacher ratio of 20:1 (state average is 22:1). Proficiency score in Math is 78%, well over the state average which is 39%. English proficiency score is 86%, also higher than the California state average of 50%.

Top of the World Elementary School

Top of World Elementary School is another top rated public elementary school under the Laguna Beach Unified School District umbrella. It provides its students with a safe, orderly, caring, and supportive environment, where every student’s self-esteem is nurtured by positive relationships with other students and staff. TOW serves 639 students from Kindergarten to Grade 5, with a student to teacher ratio of 22:1. Math proficiency score is 87%, and English proficiency score is 90%.

Laguna Beach Community Learning Center

Aside from the prestigious public elementary schools mentioned above, the Laguna Beach Community Learning Center is an alternative school located on the Top of the World Elementary School campus. Founded in 1983, the school serves 40 students in Grades 1 through 4, with two full-time teachers and one full-time instructional aide, and parents are expected to volunteer every month and spend six hours for each child in the school.

Top-Rated Middle School in Laguna Beach, CA

Thurston Middle School

Thurston Middle School is the sole public middle school located in Laguna Beach, CA. It serves 721 students in Grades 6 through 8, with a student to teacher ratio of 24:1. The school focuses on the development and maintenance of positive staff and student relationships, tirelessly working to build meaningful connections with the students. Social-emotional interventions are combined with academic programs to ensure that the social and emotional well-being of its students is given ample attention and strengthened. According to state test scores, 75% of students are proficient in Math and 81% in English.

Top- Rated High School in Laguna Beach, CA

Laguna Beach High School

Laguna Beach High School, the only high school in Laguna Beach, CA. It serves 1,103 students from Grades 9 through 12 and is ranked within the top 10% of all 9,595 schools in the state of California. English proficiency score is 75%, above the state average of 50%, and Math proficiency is 56%, above the state average of 39%. The student to teacher ratio in this school is 20:1, lower than the California state level of 22:1. Graduation rate at LBHS is well above state median at 98%.

Top-Rated College in Laguna Beach, CA

Laguna College of Art and Design

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is a private college located in Laguna Beach, California. The institution has a total enrollment of over 700 students. The college offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in 11 majors and three Master of Fine Arts degree programs, as well as a post-baccalaureate certificate program in Drawing and Painting. LCAD has an affiliate arrangement with the Florence Academy of Art for summer study in Florence, Italy for class credit. For Painting and Drawing majors, the college has similar arrangements with the Art Students League. LCAD also has an affiliate arrangement with the Academy for Digital Entertainment at NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences for Game Art majors. For Graphic Design majors, an association with the Communication University of China, Beijing was created in 2011 and, since 2014, LCAD has partnered with Vermont College of Fine Arts on a BFA/MAT dual degree program.

Laguna Beach is one of the best places to live in California, offering residents a suburban feel, good neighbors, excellent public school education, and a safe and secure home. If you have kids or are planning to raise a family soon, investing in a home in this location would surely be a good decision. Let our team of qualified and licensed Laguna Beach realtors and brokers help you find the perfect home. Feel free to give us a call at 949.494.0490 or send us an email at CynthiaAyers@cox.net for any questions you may have or if you would like to schedule an appointment and we will get back to you the soonest possible time.