Charter schools in San Juan Capistrano, CA
5 schools in San Juan Capistrano, 7 more within 15 miles. Public, and free to attend.
Public charter schools (tuition-free)
San Juan Capistrano charter schools at a glance
5 public charter schools give San Juan Capistrano as their address in the 2025-26 federal school directory, and 7 more are within 15 miles. The 5 in town had about 4,566 students in 2024-25. 3 teach elementary grades and 4 teach high school. 2 are mostly or fully online. Every one is a public school that charges no tuition.
Charter schools in San Juan Capistrano (5)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Online Public Schools Southern CaliforniaFully online | K-12 | 3,933 | 22.7 | (800) 906-5166 |
| California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano | K-8 | 260 | 25.9 | (949) 298-6040 |
| Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano | 7-12 | 185 | 20.5 | (949) 248-1282 |
| California Online Public Schools Central CoastFully online | K-12 | 105 | 28.7 | (800) 906-5166 |
| OCASA College Prep | 6-12 | 83 | 11.9 | (949) 269-3290 |
Nearby, within 15 miles (7)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Roots Academy | K-8 | 780 | 15.8 | Laguna Niguel | 3 | (949) 831-4272 |
| Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts | K-5 | 249 | 24.9 | Laguna Niguel | 3 | (949) 269-3291 |
| Journey | K-8 | 617 | 24.7 | Aliso Viejo | 6 | (949) 448-7232 |
| Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts III | K-12 | new in 2025-26 | Aliso Viejo | 6 | (949) 269-3290 | |
| Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County | K-5 | 704 | 26.1 | Mission Viejo | 9 | (949) 305-6111 |
| Oxford Preparatory Academy - Middle | 6-8 | 495 | 22.7 | Laguna Hills | 9 | (949) 600-9050 |
| Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley | K-5 | 565 | 28.7 | Lake Forest | 9 | (949) 540-7800 |
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
- Charter schools in Irvine (14 mi)
- Charter schools in Santa Ana (21 mi)
- Charter schools in Orange (23 mi)
- Charter schools in Anaheim (25 mi)
- Charter schools in Corona (25 mi)
- Charter schools in Oceanside (28 mi)
- Charter schools in Menifee (30 mi)
- Charter schools in Temecula (30 mi)
- Charter schools in Cypress (31 mi)
- Charter schools in Perris (32 mi)
- All charter schools in California
- Private schools in San Juan Capistrano (listed separately)
- School choice in California: what is available
- Charter schools in every state
Questions parents ask
How many charter schools are in San Juan Capistrano?
5 public charter schools in the 2025-26 federal directory are in San Juan Capistrano, and 7 more are within 15 miles. California Online Public Schools Southern California, California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano, Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano, California Online Public Schools Central Coast, OCASA College Prep.
Do charter schools in San Juan Capistrano 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 San Juan Capistrano 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.