2026 data 25 schools CA

Best Schools in Murrieta, CA

25 public K-12 schools in Murrieta from NCES Common Core of Data: enrollment, grade span, demographics, and Civil Rights Data Collection statistics for every active campus.

25 public schools ranked by quality score. NCES CCD 2022-23 data.

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions families make. This page ranks every public school in Murrieta, CA using a composite quality score based on student-teacher ratios, counselor access, gifted program availability, and attendance rates. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data for the 2022-23 school year.

25
Schools
25,142
Students
Avg Quality
23.1:1
Avg Class Size

How the Murrieta Public-School Landscape Breaks Down

Murrieta, CA enrolls 25,142 students across 25 public schools reporting to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, 2 are charter schools, giving families genuine alternatives to the traditional neighbourhood assignment model. The average student-teacher ratio across the city is 23.1:1, Schools must report at least five campuses in a city to appear in this listing, which is why very small towns may redirect to the broader county or state view.

The highest-ranked campus in Murrieta is Vista Murrieta High, scoring 14/100 (F) with 3,328 enrolled students at the high level. Families should treat any single ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict — a school serving fewer at-risk students or offering more AP classes will score higher on resource-based composites even if individual teachers or programs elsewhere are stronger. The quality score framework is transparent and rebuilt from raw NCES and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) inputs, so each component can be inspected on the individual school pages linked in the table below.

Murrieta schools sit within multiple district boundaries, which matters for property taxes, redistricting votes, and bond measures. Each district files its own NCES F-33 financial return, meaning per-pupil spending can vary noticeably even between neighbouring campuses in the same city. Use the table to sort by enrollment, level, or district, then click any school name for campus-level demographics, Title I status, counselor and nurse staffing, AP courses, chronic-absenteeism rates, and district per-pupil spending. The sidebar links also connect Murrieta housing costs, wage data, and crime statistics — context many parents weigh alongside test-adjacent school signals when relocating.

Murrieta school enrollment varies 277× across entities

Murrieta school enrollment ranges from 12 students (lowest) to 3,328 students (highest), a spread of 3,316 students. That ratio is among the widest observed and reflects extreme heterogeneity inside a single city — small specialty programs sit alongside large comprehensive campuses, often serving very different family demographics inside walking distance. Per-school staffing, programme depth, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same city based on enrollment shape — a 200-student magnet runs a different operational model than a 2,000-student comprehensive high school.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Murrieta operates 5 school districts — among the most fragmented governance structures in the country

Each school district has independent budgeting, hiring, and service delivery authority. The fragmentation reflects historical patterns of inter-municipal boundary lines that pre-date modern city growth — students in different parts of the same city can attend different districts with different per-pupil spending, calendars, and graduation requirements. Per-region variation is largest in fragmented systems because each school district sets its own budget, contracts, and priorities without higher-level coordination above the regulatory floor.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Murrieta student-teacher ratio is 23.1:1 — high (typically associated with larger urban scale or staffing constraints that have widened the headcount gap)

student-teacher ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE classroom teachers against total enrollment — push-in specialists, English-language aides, special-education co-teachers, and counselors are not included in most reporting Higher values may reflect larger urban scale or recent resource constraints that have widened the gap.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe

# School Score
1. Vista Murrieta High 14 F
2. Murrieta Valley High 9 F
3. Murrieta Mesa High 19 F
4. Thompson Middle 14 F
5. Dorothy Mcelhinney Middle 18 F
6. Shivela Middle 13 F
7. Bella Vista Middle 18 F
8. Cole Canyon Elementary 13 F
9. Lisa J. Mails Elementary 19 F
10. Murrieta Elementary 7 F
11. Alta Murrieta Elementary 8 F
12. Antelope Hills Elementary 14 F
13. Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary 8 F
14. Oak Meadows Elementary 22 F
15. Alamos Elementary 20 F
16. Monte Vista Elementary 13 F
17. Warm Springs Middle 19 F
18. Tovashal Elementary 13 F
19. Avaxat Elementary 8 F
20. Rail Ranch Elementary 9 F
21. E. Hale Curran Elementary 9 F
22. Methodschools 26 F
23. Murrieta Canyon Academy 37 F
24. Method Schools La 46 D
25. Murrieta Options Academy 54 C-

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best schools in Murrieta, CA?

The top-rated school in Murrieta is Vista Murrieta High with a quality score of 14/100. There are 25 public schools in Murrieta with 25,142 total students.

How many schools are in Murrieta, CA?

Murrieta has 25 public schools with a total enrollment of 25,142 students. 2 are charter schools. Average student-teacher ratio: 23.1:1.

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Related Guides

Data from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22. Quality scores based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs, and attendance. Schools must have 5+ in the city to be listed.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.