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Elementary Schools in Mission Viejo, California

Above Average2024–25 data17 schools · avg 61.0/100

Mission Viejo, California has 17 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 61.0/100 — 17.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Philip J. Reilly Elementary at 79/100, where 57.0% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Mission Viejo schools average 32.9% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 17 schools, 2 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.9% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
61.0
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
51.9
27.6 – 79.4
Avg Exceeded %
32.9%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
15.9%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
17
With Scope Scores

How Mission Viejo schools compare

Mission Viejo's 17 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 61.0 — 17.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 27.6 to 79.4, a 51.9-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Philip J. Reilly Elementary with a Scope Score of 79 and 57.0% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling schools: Mission Viejo schools average 32.9% 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 Mission Viejo averages 15.9%, 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 Mission Viejo

8 Strong All-Around3 Culture First2 High Ceiling4 Building Momentum

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

Schools in Mission Viejo ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Philip J. Reilly Elementary
Capistrano Unified High Ceiling
57.0%Strong
79/100
2Castille Elementary
Capistrano Unified High Ceiling
51.1%Strong
75/100
3Capistrano Valley High
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
39.9%Strong
74/100
4Fred Newhart Middle
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
43.9%Strong
74/100
5Trabuco Hills High
Saddleback Valley Unified Strong All-Around
35.5%Strong
72/100
6De Portola Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Strong All-Around
44.3%Strong
71/100
7Mission Viejo High
Saddleback Valley Unified Strong All-Around
29.4%Solid
69/100
8Carl Hankey Elementary
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
35.9%Solid
67/100
9Bathgate Elementary
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
44.2%Solid
67/100
10Carl Hankey Middle
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
35.8%Solid
65/100
11Del Cerro Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First
35.2%Solid
58/100
12Montevideo Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
29.8%Solid
55/100
13Viejo Elementary
Capistrano Unified Culture First
23.0%Solid
54/100
14Linda Vista Magnet Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
19.0%Developing
44/100
15Del Lago Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
16.0%Developing
44/100
16Glen Yermo Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First
18.3%Developing
42/100
17Silverado High
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
0.8%Needs Support
28/100

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 Mission Viejo

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.

Mission Viejo Christian School
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-8 · 521 students
19:1Private
Heritage Christian School
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-12 · 254 students
10:1Private
Marguerite Christian Pre School
Calvinist · Grades Pre-K-TK · 36 students
18:1Private
Mission Montessori
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-TK · 14 students
7:1Private
Sunflower Montessori
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-1 · 12 students
5:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Mission Viejo

  • 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 Mission Viejo good?
Mission Viejo's 17 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 61.0/100, which is 17.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. 32.9% 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 Mission Viejo?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Mission Viejo is Philip J. Reilly Elementary with a Scope Score of 79/100 and 57.0% 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 Mission Viejo schools compare to the state average?
Mission Viejo elementary schools average a Scope Score of 61.0 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (17.3 points above). The exceeded rate averages 32.9% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.9% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 27.6 to 79.4, a 51.9-point spread.
How many schools are in Mission Viejo?
Mission Viejo has 17 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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