- Esencia — Grades K–5 · 996 students
- Oso Grande Elementary — Grades K–5 · 867 students
- Las Palmas Elementary — Grades K–5 · 743 students
- Vista del Mar Elementary — Grades K–5 · 692 students
- Don Juan Avila Elementary — Grades K–5 · 672 students
- San Juan Elementary — Grades K–5 · 662 students
- Chaparral Elementary — Grades K–5 · 604 students
- Truman Benedict Elementary — Grades K–5 · 602 students
- Ladera Ranch Elementary — Grades K–5 · 580 students
- Bathgate Elementary — Grades K–5 · 570 students
- Oak Grove Elementary — Grades K–5 · 569 students
- John Malcom Elementary — Grades K–5 · 553 students
- Moulton Elementary — Grades K–5 · 538 students
- Concordia Elementary — Grades K–5 · 533 students
- Canyon Vista Elementary — Grades K–5 · 533 students
- Arroyo Vista Elementary — Grades K–5 · 508 students
- Castille Elementary — Grades K–5 · 482 students
- Richard Henry Dana Elementary — Grades K–5 · 461 students
- Laguna Niguel Elementary — Grades K–5 · 456 students
- Viejo Elementary — Grades K–5 · 447 students
- Wagon Wheel Elementary — Grades K–5 · 441 students
- Wood Canyon Elementary — Grades K–5 · 425 students
- Marian Bergeson Elementary — Grades K–5 · 423 students
- Philip J. Reilly Elementary — Grades K–5 · 421 students
- George White Elementary — Grades K–5 · 378 students
- + 10 more elementary schools
- Fred Newhart Middle — Grades 6–8 · 1,105 students
- Ladera Ranch Middle — Grades 6–8 · 1,064 students
- Marco Forster Middle — Grades 6–8 · 930 students
- Bernice Ayer Middle — Grades 6–8 · 919 students
- Don Juan Avila Middle — Grades 6–8 · 863 students
- Aliso Viejo Middle — Grades 6–8 · 803 students
- Niguel Hills Middle — Grades 6–8 · 693 students
- Shorecliffs Middle — Grades 6–8 · 634 students
- Las Flores Middle — Grades 6–8 · 593 students
- Vista del Mar Middle — Grades 6–8 · 499 students
- Esencia Middle — Grades 6–8 · 349 students
- Arroyo Vista Middle — Grades 6–8 · 329 students
- Carl Hankey Middle — Grades 6–8 · 181 students
- San Clemente High — Grades 9–12 · 2,740 students
- San Juan Hills High — Grades 9–12 · 2,641 students
- Aliso Niguel High — Grades 9–12 · 2,563 students
- Tesoro High — Grades 9–12 · 2,030 students
- Capistrano Valley High — Grades 9–12 · 1,991 students
- Dana Hills High — Grades 9–12 · 1,725 students
- California Preparatory Academy — Grades 9–12 · 198 students
- Capistrano Union High — Grades 9–12 · 103 students
- Capistrano Home/Virtual — Grades K–8 · 82 students
- Bridges Community Day — Grades 6–12 · 12 students
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| Metric | Capistrano Unified School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 58 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,700/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
About Capistrano Unified School District
Capistrano Unified School District is the public school district that serves ZIP 92624 in Capistrano, California. At 6/10 it lands near the middle of California districts on the data NCES reports. The district covers Kindergarten – 12th. Check the rating breakdown and map above, and confirm your specific school assignment directly with the district — boundaries and open-enrollment rules change year to year.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Capistrano Unified School District spends approximately $15,700 per student per year, placing it near the California state average of approximately $16,500 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At multiple schools serving grades Kindergarten – 12th, Capistrano Unified School District qualifies as a district of unknown size serving students from Kindergarten – 12th. Contact Capistrano Unified School District to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
With a rating of 6/10 (average), Capistrano Unified School District ranks among California’s average-rated school systems. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
Capistrano Unified School District falls in the middle of the performance spectrum with an average rating. Average districts provide foundational public education with functional academic programs, though they may not match the resource breadth of higher-rated districts in the same region. Many families find that average-rated districts deliver solid day-to-day education, particularly when parents stay engaged and involved. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 92624
Children in zip code 92624 are assigned to Capistrano Unified School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 92624, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Capistrano Unified School District at (949)234-9200 or visit www.capousd.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — California districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Capistrano
For families considering a purchase in the Capistrano area, district assignment matters financially. Because Capistrano Unified School District serves zip code 92624, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 92624 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In California, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Capistrano Unified School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 92624.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Capistrano Unified School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 92624 data.