Elementary Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, California: Rancho Santa Margarita schools aren't just reaching proficiency — they're pushing students beyond it.
Rancho Santa Margarita, California has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 61.2/100 — 16.3 points above the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Las Flores Elementary at 82/100, where 51.8% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Rancho Santa Margarita schools average 37.6% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 6 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 | 6 | Solid 61.2/100 | 37.6% | +16.3 |
| Middle | 1 | Strong 78.7/100 | 52.2% | +36.0 |
How Rancho Santa Margarita schools compare
Rancho Santa Margarita has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 61.2/100 — 16.3 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is Las Flores Elementary with a Scope Score of 82 and 51.8% of students exceeding standard.
These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Rancho Santa Margarita schools average 37.6% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.
Chronic absenteeism in Rancho Santa Margarita averages 10.7% — below the state average of 17.9%.
How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page
School archetypes in Rancho Santa Margarita
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Every school in Rancho Santa Margarita
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Flores Elementary Capistrano Unified High Ceiling | 51.8% | Strong 82/100 |
| 2 | Arroyo Vista Middle Capistrano Unified High Ceiling | 52.2% | Strong 79/100 |
| 3 | Arroyo Vista Elementary Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around | 38.4% | Solid 66/100 |
| 4 | Melinda Heights Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Strong All-Around | 29.2% | Solid 59/100 |
| 5 | Tijeras Creek Elementary Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around | 45.2% | Solid 58/100 |
| 6 | Trabuco Mesa Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Solid Base | 47.7% | Solid 57/100 |
| 7 | Cielo Vista Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum | 13.6% | Developing 46/100 |
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 Rancho Santa Margarita
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