Royal High School (1402 Royal Ave) is the established workhorse of Simi Valley Unified. Opened in 1964, it serves about 2,500 students from a wide swath of central, west, and southwest Simi Valley. Royal is comprehensive — strong academics, championship-tier athletics in the Coastal Canyon League, an active performing arts program, and 50+ years of alumni connection across the Simi Valley business community. For families who want a traditional, large-school high school experience, Royal is the choice.
School Overview
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | 1402 Royal Ave, Simi Valley, CA 93065 |
| Grades served | 9–12 |
| Approximate enrollment | ~2,500 |
| School district | Simi Valley Unified (SVUSD) |
| Athletic league | Coastal Canyon League (CIF Southern Section) |
| Notable programs | AP courses, AVID, performing arts, broadcast journalism, sports medicine |
Neighborhoods That Feed Royal High
The Royal HS attendance area is the largest in Simi Valley by geography. Key feeder neighborhoods include:
- Central Simi (Cochran/Royal/Tapo). Mix of 1970s–90s tracts. Median ~$830K.
- Indian Hills. Established ranch homes. Median ~$880K.
- Texas Tract. Entry-level 1960s tracts. Median ~$725K.
- Madera neighborhood. 1970s tracts near Madera Elementary. Median ~$760K.
- Long Canyon. Family-oriented 1990s–2000s. Median ~$1.1M.
- West Simi Valley. Newer 90s–2000s homes. Median ~$870K.
- Mt. McCoy. View-lot mix. Median ~$1.05M.
- Parts of south-central Simi. Boundary varies — verify the address.
Median Home Prices in the Zone
| Neighborhood | Median price | Typical beds/baths |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Tract | $725,000 | 3 bd / 2 ba |
| Madera | $760,000 | 3 bd / 2 ba |
| Central Simi | $830,000 | 3–4 bd / 2 ba |
| Indian Hills | $880,000 | 4 bd / 2.5 ba |
| Mt. McCoy | $1,050,000 | 4 bd / 2.5 ba (with views) |
| Long Canyon | $1,100,000 | 4–5 bd / 3 ba |
Recent Comparable Sales
- Texas Tract — 3/2, 1,360 sqft, $738,000, 11 days on market
- Indian Hills — 4/2.5, 2,180 sqft, $895,000, 18 days
- Long Canyon — 4/3, 2,750 sqft, $1,135,000, 22 days
- Mt. McCoy view lot — 4/2.5, 2,420 sqft, $1,085,000, 27 days
What Buyers Should Know About Buying in This Zone
The Royal HS attendance area is geographically large and crosses several distinct neighborhoods with very different price points and house styles. Two homes both "zoned Royal" can vary by $400,000 in price depending on neighborhood, age, and condition. Use the school assignment as one input, not the only one — actual neighborhood, school feeder pattern (which middle and elementary schools your child attends earlier), and home characteristics matter more for daily quality of life.
Always verify the specific address with SVUSD enrollment at (805) 520-6500 BEFORE removing your inspection contingency. Boundaries change, and the edge of the Royal zone is particularly subject to adjustment as the district balances enrollment with Santa Susana HS to the northeast.
School Quality Factors
Royal's largest advantage over Santa Susana is institutional depth. Royal alumni run businesses across Simi Valley, fund booster organizations generously, and create networks that benefit current students. The school's athletic tradition is strong — Royal football, basketball, and baseball have multiple league championships in recent decades. Academically, Royal offers a deep AP catalog, AVID for college-bound students from underrepresented backgrounds, and visual and performing arts programs that win competitive awards regularly. The school's size means more course options and more extracurricular paths, but also less individual attention than smaller schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify if a Simi Valley home is zoned for Royal High?
Call SVUSD enrollment at (805) 520-6500 with the property address. They'll confirm the current attendance area. Don't rely on the listing agent's claim — boundaries shift periodically.
Is Royal HS smaller or larger than Santa Susana HS?
Royal is larger — about 2,500 students vs Santa Susana's ~1,400. The size difference affects daily experience: Royal offers more course options, more clubs, and bigger sports programs; Santa Susana provides more individual attention and a smaller community feel.
Does Royal HS have AP and Honors courses?
Yes, Royal offers a deep catalog of AP courses across English, math, science, history, and electives, plus Honors-track courses in core subjects. Course availability depends on enrollment year-to-year — review the current course catalog through SVUSD.
What's Royal HS's college acceptance pattern?
Royal regularly sends students to the UC system (UCLA, UCSB, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC Riverside), Cal State system, and competitive private universities. The school's counseling office supports the application process and hosts annual college fairs.
Can my child transfer to Santa Susana HS if we live in the Royal zone?
Possibly, through an SVUSD intra-district transfer (annual open enrollment lottery, sibling priority, hardship transfer). Approval is not guaranteed. Apply through SVUSD enrollment in spring for the following school year.
Are homes in the Royal zone less expensive than Santa Susana zone?
Generally yes — Royal's attendance area covers more entry-level and mid-tier neighborhoods (Texas Tract, Madera, Central Simi) while Santa Susana covers the premium northeast (Wood Ranch, Big Sky, Bridle Path). The Royal zone has the broader price range; Santa Susana skews higher-priced overall.
Do middle schools also matter when choosing the Royal zone?
Yes. Royal's feeder middle schools include Sequoia, Sinaloa, and Hillside — each with its own character and reputation. If your child is entering 6th grade, the middle school assignment matters as much as the eventual high school assignment.
Work with Brian
Whether you're researching the market or ready to make a move, Brian Cooper has 20+ years of Los Angeles and Ventura County real estate experience, an 18-day average days-on-market, and a 101% sale-to-list ratio. Contact Brian or call (805) 723-2498.
