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Elementary Schools in Lake Forest, California

Above Average2024–25 data7 schools · avg 52.2/100

Lake Forest, California has 7 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 52.2/100 — 8.4 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is El Toro High at 65/100, where 24.7% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Lake Forest schools average 24.8% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 13.0% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
52.2
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
32.0
33.2 – 65.2
Avg Exceeded %
24.8%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
13.0%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
7
With Scope Scores

How Lake Forest schools compare

Lake Forest's 7 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 52.2 — 8.4 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 33.2 to 65.2, a 32.0-point spread.

The top-ranked school is El Toro High with a Scope Score of 65 and 24.7% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling schools: Lake Forest schools average 24.8% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just getting students to proficiency, they're pushing them further.

Chronic absenteeism in Lake Forest averages 13.0%, which is above the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Lake Forest

3 Culture First1 Strong All-Around3 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Schools in Lake Forest ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1El Toro High
Saddleback Valley Unified Strong All-Around
65Orange24.7%52.2%19.5%0.8%
2Rancho Canada Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First
57Orange28.6%53.4%10.0%1.1%
3La Madera Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
56Orange33.1%59.0%10.7%3.1%
4Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
55Orange31.1%53.8%7.6%1.9%
5Lake Forest Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First
52Orange24.5%46.6%14.0%0.5%
6Ralph A. Gates DLI Magnet Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First
47Orange17.0%35.6%8.6%0.6%
7Olivewood Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
33Orange14.6%31.0%20.5%2.2%

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.

Grace Christian Schools
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-8 · 178 students
11:1Private
Montessori on the Lake
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-7 · 78 students
6:1Private
Fulbright Montessori Academy
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-1 · 20 students
10:1Private
Lake Forest Montessori School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-1 · 17 students
9:1Private
Heritage Montessori School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-2 · 16 students
5:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Lake Forest

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Lake Forest good?
Lake Forest's 7 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 52.2/100, which is 8.4 points above the California state average of 43.8. 24.8% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Lake Forest?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Lake Forest is El Toro High with a Scope Score of 65/100 and 24.7% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Lake Forest schools compare to the state average?
Lake Forest elementary schools average a Scope Score of 52.2 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (8.4 points above). The exceeded rate averages 24.8% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 13.0% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 33.2 to 65.2, a 32.0-point spread.
How many schools are in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest has 7 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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