Schools & Education
From preschool to post-graduate education, Irvine gets top marks.
Educational excellence is the hallmark of schools in the City of Irvine, and it’s a principal reason why people choose to live here. Year after year, Irvine schools produce some of California’s highest test scores on average. The explanation for such consistent achievement is a simple but rare formula. Our teachers share an uncommon devotion to their students and work tirelessly to help them succeed.
Facts about education and Irvine:
- Irvine is a city of highly educated parents—nearly 60% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—who know the value of education and get involved in their children’s development.
- All four Irvine Unified School District high schools are ranked in the top 5 percent of schools in the nation for preparing students for college.
- More than 90% of high school graduates attend college.
- Irvine students consistently lead Orange County in SAT test scores.
- The Irvine Unified School District has six of the top elementary schools, five of the top ten middle schools (including the top two) and four of the top ten high schools in Orange County.
Residents who live in Irvine are assured that they are making the right investment in their children’s education. To learn more about the schools servicing each village, select a village below.
Elementary - High School
Year after year, Irvine schools produce some of California’s highest test scores on average. Educational excellence is the hallmark of schools in the City of Irvine, and it’s a principal reason why people choose to live here.
The facts:
- 22 elementary schools
- 5 middle schools
- 4 comprehensive high schools (1 continuation high school)
- All four high schools in the Irvine Unified School District are rated among the top 1000 in the country.
- 32 out of the 33 schools scored above an 800 on their Academic Performance Index test scores; in 2007, the overall score was 888.
- SAT scores are higher than the state and national averages.
The Academic Performance Index (API) is a numeric index or scale that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000. The purpose of the API is to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. The Irvine Unified School District has continually ranked high across the board on their API scores.
The facts:
- Westwood Basics Plus Elementary School – 917
- Woodbury Elementary School (formerly El Camino Real Elementary) - 881
- Sierra Vista Middle School – 914
- Irvine High School – 827
- Northwood High School - 858
To learn more about the schools servicing each village, select a village below.
Higher Education
The City of Irvine is built around educational enrichment, quite literally. In the 1960s, The Irvine Company contributed 1,000 acres of land to the University of California for the creation of the UC Irvine campus – the symbolic transaction amount was one dollar. In its relatively brief history of just over forty years, UC Irvine has accomplished a lot.
The facts:
- UCI now ranks among the top 2% of public universities nationwide.
- UCI’s faculty has accomplished three Nobel laureates.
- UCI is the second largest employer in Orange County.
Other higher education choices are abundant and within easy reach:
Philanthropy
Schools in Irvine have continually ranked among the best in the country. One of the reasons contributing to that success is the enrichment programs that support elementary level programs in art, music and science.
The Irvine Company has continually demonstrated its commitment by investing millions into education at all levels, from the university to early child development. In April 2006, The Irvine Company announced a gift of $20 million to the Irvine Unified School District. The gift—believed to be one of the largest financial contributions from a private company to a California public school district—will create an Excellence in Education Enrichment Fund to support elementary level enrichment programs in art, music and science over the next decade.
Over the years, these contributions have further bolstered the extraordinary reputation of the Irvine Unified School District. Throughout California and the nation, the district is rightfully regarded as one of the finest and most
Endowment Video
To learn more about the schools servicing each village, select a village below.
