Elementary Schools in Lake Forest, California: Lake Forest schools average 10.1 points above the state — but the range is 46.6 points wide.
Lake Forest, California has 7 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 53.4/100 — 10.1 points above the state average of 43.2. The highest-scoring school is Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley at 78/100, where 53.1% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Lake Forest schools average 28.9% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 7 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 10.7% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Schools | Avg Score | Exceeded | vs State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 7 | Solid 53.4/100 | 28.9% | +10.1 |
| High | 1 | Solid 57.8/100 | 24.7% | +14.1 |
How Lake Forest schools compare
Lake Forest has 7 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 53.4/100 — 10.1 points above the state average of 43.2 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley with a Scope Score of 78 and 53.1% of students exceeding standard.
These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Lake Forest schools average 28.9% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.
Chronic absenteeism in Lake Forest averages 10.7% — below the state average of 17.9%.
How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%
School archetypes in Lake Forest
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Every school in Lake Forest
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley Orange County Department of Education High Ceiling | 53.1% | Strong 78/100 |
| 2 | El Toro High Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum | 24.7% | Solid 58/100 |
| 3 | La Madera Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum | 33.1% | Solid 56/100 |
| 4 | Rancho Canada Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First | 28.6% | Solid 56/100 |
| 5 | Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum | 31.1% | Solid 54/100 |
| 6 | Lake Forest Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First | 24.5% | Solid 51/100 |
| 7 | Ralph A. Gates DLI Magnet Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First | 17.0% | Developing 46/100 |
| 8 | Olivewood Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum | 14.6% | Developing 32/100 |
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology
Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.
Private Schools in Lake Forest
Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.
Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology