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Elementary Schools in San Clemente, California

Above Average2024–25 data11 schools · avg 62.3/100

San Clemente, California has 11 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 62.3/100 — 18.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Vista del Mar Elementary at 74/100, where 51.0% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. San Clemente schools average 37.0% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 11 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.1% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
62.3
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
32.8
41.2 – 74.0
Avg Exceeded %
37.0%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
16.1%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
11
With Scope Scores

How San Clemente schools compare

San Clemente's 11 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 62.3 — 18.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 41.2 to 74.0, a 32.8-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Vista del Mar Elementary with a Scope Score of 74 and 51.0% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling schools: San Clemente schools average 37.0% 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 San Clemente averages 16.1%, 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 San Clemente

6 Strong All-Around1 High Ceiling1 Culture First3 Building Momentum

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

Schools in San Clemente ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Vista del Mar Elementary
Capistrano Unified High Ceiling
51.0%Strong
74/100
2San Onofre Elementary
Fallbrook Union Elementary Strong All-Around
49.9%Strong
74/100
3Bernice Ayer Middle
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
42.5%Strong
72/100
4Truman Benedict Elementary
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
45.2%Strong
72/100
5San Clemente High
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
33.4%Strong
70/100
6Vista del Mar Middle
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
44.5%Solid
68/100
7Concordia Elementary
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
43.2%Solid
64/100
8Las Palmas Elementary
Capistrano Unified Culture First
28.8%Solid
53/100
9Shorecliffs Middle
Capistrano Unified Building Momentum
25.3%Developing
50/100
10Clarence Lobo Elementary
Capistrano Unified Building Momentum
19.7%Developing
47/100
11Marblehead Elementary
Capistrano Unified Building Momentum
23.9%Developing
41/100

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 San Clemente

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.

Our Lady of Fatima School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 186 students
12:1Private
Talega Preparatory Academy
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-12 · 96 students
96:1Private
St. Michaels Christian Academy
Church of God · Grades Pre-K-8 · 23 students
8:1Private
Montessori School of San Clemente LLC
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K · 12 students
6:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about San Clemente

  • 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 San Clemente good?
San Clemente's 11 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 62.3/100, which is 18.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. 37.0% 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 San Clemente?
The highest-scoring elementary school in San Clemente is Vista del Mar Elementary with a Scope Score of 74/100 and 51.0% 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 San Clemente schools compare to the state average?
San Clemente elementary schools average a Scope Score of 62.3 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (18.5 points above). The exceeded rate averages 37.0% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.1% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 41.2 to 74.0, a 32.8-point spread.
How many schools are in San Clemente?
San Clemente has 11 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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