For the 2026 school year, there are 51 public charter schools serving 26,826 students in Orange County, CA. The top-ranked public charter schools in Orange County, CA are Ocsa, Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County and Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Orange County, CA public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the California public charter school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 48% statewide average). Charter schools in Orange County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of California public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public charter school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Charter Schools in Orange County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ocsa
Charter School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1010 North Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 560-9000
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 560-9000
Gr: 7-12 | 2,346 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #22.
Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County
Charter School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
23000 Via Santa Maria
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 305-6111
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 305-6111
Gr: K-5 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #33.
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley
Charter School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
22882 Loumont Dr.
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 540-7800
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 540-7800
Gr: K-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #44.
El Rancho Charter
Charter School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
181 South Del Giorgio Rd.
Anaheim, CA 92808
(714) 997-6238
Anaheim, CA 92808
(714) 997-6238
Gr: 7-8 | 1,144 student Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #55.
Irvine International Academy
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4782 Karen Ann Ln.
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 242-6164
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 242-6164
Gr: K-8 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #66.
Orange County Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4100 East Walnut Ave.
Orange, CA 92869
(657) 223-9420
Orange, CA 92869
(657) 223-9420
Gr: K-12 | 740 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #77.
Community Roots Academy
Charter School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
29292 Crown Valley Pkwy.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 831-4272
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 831-4272
Gr: K-8 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #88.
Kinetic Academy
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
721 Utica Ave.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 465-4565
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 465-4565
Gr: K-8 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #99.
Excel Academy Charter
Charter School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Technology Dr., Bldg. I Ste.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 387-7822
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 387-7822
Gr: K-12 | 1,069 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1010.
Orange County Academy Of Sciences And Arts
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
29292 Crown Valley Pkwy.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 269-3291
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 269-3291
Gr: K-5 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1111.
Journey
Charter School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
27102 Foxborough
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 448-7232
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 448-7232
Gr: K-8 | 617 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1212.
International School For Science And Culture
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1770 Tustin Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 441-4500
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 441-4500
Gr: K-8 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1313.
California Online Public Schools Central Coast
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
33272 Valle Rd.
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(800) 906-5166
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(800) 906-5166
Gr: K-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1414.
Unity Middle College High School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1937 West Chapman Ave., Ste. 1
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 473-0723
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 473-0723
Gr: 9-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1515.
Dual Language Immersion North County
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2030 University Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92803
(760) 631-6200
Anaheim, CA 92803
(760) 631-6200
Gr: K-8 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
California Pacific Charter - Sonoma
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
14630 Armstrong Woods Rd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Gr: K-12 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Samueli Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1901 North Fairview St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 619-0245
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 619-0245
Gr: 7-12 | 842 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1818.
Santiago Charter Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
515 North Rancho Santiago Blvd
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-6366
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-6366
Gr: 7-8 | 1,137 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1919.
Ocasa College Prep
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
31522 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 269-3290
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 269-3290
Gr: 6-12 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2020.
Vibrant Minds Charter
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
412 West Carl Karcher Way
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 563-2390
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 563-2390
Gr: K-6 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2121.
Nova Academy Early College High School
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 West Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 569-0948
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 569-0948
Gr: 9-12 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2222.
El Sol Santa Ana Science And Arts Academy
Charter School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
328 West Halesworth St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 543-0023
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 543-0023
Gr: K-8 | 980 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2323.
California Pacific Charter - San Diego
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
940 South Coast Dr., Ste. 185
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Gr: K-12 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2424.
Edward B. Cole Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
333 East Walnut St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 836-9023
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 836-9023
Gr: K-5 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2525.
Suncoast Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3857 Birch St. #297
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 994-6724
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 994-6724
Gr: K-12 | 1,459 student Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2626.
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana
Charter School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2840 West 1st St.
Santa Ana, CA 92703
(714) 479-0115
Santa Ana, CA 92703
(714) 479-0115
Gr: K-12 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2727.
California Online Public Schools Southern California
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
33272 Valle Rd.
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(800) 906-5166
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(800) 906-5166
Gr: K-12 | 3,933 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2828.
Epic California Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 South Anaheim Blvd. Ste. 1
Anaheim, CA 92805
(657) 220-1000
Anaheim, CA 92805
(657) 220-1000
Gr: K-12 | 1,022 student Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2929.
Scholarship Prep - Orange County
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1010 West 17th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 795-3498
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 795-3498
Gr: K-8 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3030.
Orange County Educational Arts Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
825 North Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 558-2787
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 558-2787
Gr: K-8 | 643 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3131.
California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
940 South Coast Dr. #185
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(855) 225-7227
Gr: K-12 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3232.
Nova Academy - Coachella
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
52-780 Frederick St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 569-0948
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 569-0948
Gr: 9-12 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3333.
Ednovate - Legacy College Prep.
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1450 17th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 988-2775
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 988-2775
Gr: 9-12 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3434.
Orange County Workforce Innovation High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
505 North Euclid St.
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 576-2714
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 576-2714
Gr: 9-12 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #3535.
Advanced Learning Academy
Charter School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
408 East Santa Clara Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 564-2100
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 564-2100
Gr: K-12 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Orange County, CA?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Orange County, CA include Ocsa, Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County and Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley. Orange County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in California.
How many public charter schools are located in Orange County?
45 public charter schools are located in Orange County.
What is the racial composition of students in Orange County?
Orange County public charter schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public charter schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Which public charter schools in Orange County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public charter schools in Orange County include: Santiago Charter Middle School vs. El Rancho Charter, El Rancho Charter vs. Santiago Charter Middle School, Orange County Educational Arts Academy vs. El Sol Santa Ana Science And Arts Academy
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
