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Charter schools in Laguna Niguel, CA

2 schools in Laguna Niguel, 11 more within 15 miles. Public, and free to attend.

Public charter schools (tuition-free)

Laguna Niguel charter schools at a glance

2 public charter schools give Laguna Niguel as their address in the 2025-26 federal school directory, and 11 more are within 15 miles. The 2 in town had about 1,029 students in 2024-25. 2 teach elementary grades and 0 teach high school. Every one is a public school that charges no tuition.

1,029 students, 2024-25
0 high schools
$0 tuition

Charter schools in Laguna Niguel (2)

Largest first. Enrollment and teachers are from 2024-25; schools new in 2025-26 have no count yet.

Charter school Grades Students (2024-25) Per teacher Phone
Community Roots Academy K-8 780 15.8 (949) 831-4272
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts K-5 249 24.9 (949) 269-3291

Nearby, within 15 miles (11)

Charter schools in other towns, nearest first. Online schools are left out here because their address is an office.

Charter school Grades Students (2024-25) Per teacher Town Miles Phone
OCASA College Prep 6-12 83 11.9 San Juan Capistrano 3 (949) 269-3290
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts III K-12 new in 2025-26 Aliso Viejo 3 (949) 269-3290
Journey K-8 617 24.7 Aliso Viejo 3 (949) 448-7232
Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano 7-12 185 20.5 San Juan Capistrano 3 (949) 248-1282
California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano K-8 260 25.9 San Juan Capistrano 4 (949) 298-6040
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Middle 6-8 495 22.7 Laguna Hills 7 (949) 600-9050
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley K-5 565 28.7 Lake Forest 7 (949) 540-7800
Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County K-5 704 26.1 Mission Viejo 7 (949) 305-6111
Irvine International Academy K-8 530 23.1 Irvine 12 (949) 242-6164
Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy K-8 455 27.6 Irvine 14 (949) 517-1610
International School for Science and Culture K-8 97 19.4 Costa Mesa 14 (949) 441-4500

Charter schools: how they work

  • Public and free. NCES describes a public charter school as a publicly funded school, usually run by a group or organization under a contract (the charter) with the state, the district or another body. The federal definition says a charter school does not charge tuition.
  • Families choose it. Under the same definition, a charter school is one parents choose to send their children to, and it admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for.
  • Its own rules, its own accountability. The charter frees the school from some state or local rules; in return it must meet the standards written in its charter. It is nonsectarian.
  • No program badge. ChoiceFunded’s program badges and “schools that accept” lists cover private schools only. Charter schools are listed separately here, with no badge, and are never counted with private schools.

Sources: 20 U.S.C. 7221i (federal Charter Schools Program definitions); NCES, Condition of Education: Public Charter School Enrollment. Each state writes its own charter law, so ask the school how enrollment works there.

Keep looking

Questions parents ask

How many charter schools are in Laguna Niguel?

2 public charter schools in the 2025-26 federal directory are in Laguna Niguel, and 11 more are within 15 miles. Community Roots Academy, Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Do charter schools in Laguna Niguel charge tuition?

No. Charter schools are public schools, and the federal definition of a charter school says it does not charge tuition. Ask each school about fees for extras.

How do I enroll in a Laguna Niguel charter school?

Apply to each school directly. Under the federal definition, a charter school admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for, so check each school’s application dates. Each state writes its own charter law.

School facts: U.S. Department of Education, Common Core of Data (2025-26 directory, 2024-25 enrollment and staff). Where our data comes from.

See charter schools How enrollment works