Elementary Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Rancho Santa Margarita, California has 7 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 64.8/100 — 21.0 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Arroyo Vista Middle at 80/100, where 52.2% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Rancho Santa Margarita schools average 39.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 7 schools, 2 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 10.2% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
How Rancho Santa Margarita schools compare
Rancho Santa Margarita's 7 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 64.8 — 21.0 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 42.6 to 79.9, a 37.3-point spread.
The top-ranked school is Arroyo Vista Middle with a Scope Score of 80 and 52.2% of students exceeding standard.
High-ceiling schools: Rancho Santa Margarita schools average 39.7% 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 Rancho Santa Margarita averages 10.2%, 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 Rancho Santa Margarita
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita ranked by Scope Score
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arroyo Vista Middle Capistrano Unified High Ceiling | 52.2% | Strong 80/100 |
| 2 | Las Flores Elementary Capistrano Unified High Ceiling | 51.8% | Strong 78/100 |
| 3 | Arroyo Vista Elementary Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around | 38.4% | Solid 68/100 |
| 4 | Trabuco Mesa Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Strong All-Around | 47.7% | Solid 64/100 |
| 5 | Tijeras Creek Elementary Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around | 45.2% | Solid 63/100 |
| 6 | Melinda Heights Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Strong All-Around | 29.2% | Solid 58/100 |
| 7 | Cielo Vista Elementary Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum | 13.6% | Developing 43/100 |
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.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Rancho Santa Margarita
- 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