Best Public Schools in Santa Ana, CA

The city of Santa Ana, California is home to a diverse array of 79 schools, including 51 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, 16 high schools, and 3 alternative schools. The data provides a comprehensive look at the performance and characteristics of these institutions, highlighting both the strengths of the top-performing schools and the challenges faced by lower-performing ones.

Among the standout schools in the area are Segerstrom High School, which is ranked 566th out of 2,323 California high schools and has a 4-star rating, as well as Foothill High School, ranked 155th and with a 5-star rating. These schools boast impressive graduation rates, low dropout rates, and strong test scores, particularly in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. Another high-performing school is OCSA (Orange County School of the Arts), a public charter high school ranked 42nd in the state with a 5-star rating and exceptional academic outcomes.

In contrast, some schools in the Santa Ana area face significant challenges, such as high chronic absenteeism rates, low graduation rates, and poor test performance. For example, Lorin Griset Academy and Cesar E. Chavez High have chronic absenteeism rates exceeding 85%. These disparities in educational outcomes suggest that there is room for improvement within the Santa Ana Unified and other local school districts to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.