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Schools in 92688 — Rancho Santa Margarita, California

92688 has 9 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 67.9 — 24.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 42.6 to 84.3, a 41.8-point spread. 4 schools rank in the 90th percentile or above statewide.

Avg Scope Score
67.9
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
41.8
42.6 – 84.3
Avg Exceeded %
41.5%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
10.6%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
9
With Scope Scores

How 92688 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Tesoro High with a Scope Score of 84 and 50.6% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling zip code: Schools here average 41.5% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just meeting proficiency; they're pushing students beyond it.

Chronic absenteeism across 92688 averages 10.6%, above the state average of 18.1%.

How 92688 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 92688
92688Rancho Santa Margarita967.9
92691Mission Viejo1257.2-10.8
92692Mission Viejo671.0+3.0
92683Westminster1649.9-18.0
92694Ladera Ranch674.7+6.7
92679Coto De Caza366.8-1.2

School archetypes in 92688

3 High Ceiling2 Strong All-Around2 Solid Base2 Building Momentum

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

All schools in 92688

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Tesoro High
Capistrano Unified High Ceiling
84Orange50.6%77.4%13.6%0.8%
2Arroyo Vista Middle
Capistrano Unified High Ceiling
80Orange52.2%78.5%7.2%3.1%
3Las Flores Elementary
Capistrano Unified High Ceiling
78Orange51.8%78.0%12.3%0.7%
4Las Flores Middle
Capistrano Unified Building Momentum
74Orange45.0%73.2%9.8%6.1%
5Arroyo Vista Elementary
Capistrano Unified Strong All-Around
68Orange38.4%69.8%8.4%1.3%
6Trabuco Mesa Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Solid Base
64Orange47.7%71.9%8.5%0.8%
7Tijeras Creek Elementary
Capistrano Unified Solid Base
63Orange45.2%70.7%9.2%0.7%
8Melinda Heights Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Strong All-Around
58Orange29.2%57.8%10.1%0.8%
9Cielo Vista Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
43Orange13.6%37.9%16.1%1.1%

Schools in 92688 on the map

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.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about 92688

  • 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 Rancho Santa Margarita good?
Rancho Santa Margarita's 9 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 67.9/100, which is 24.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. 41.5% 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 Rancho Santa Margarita?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Rancho Santa Margarita is Tesoro High with a Scope Score of 84/100 and 50.6% 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 Rancho Santa Margarita schools compare to the state average?
Rancho Santa Margarita elementary schools average a Scope Score of 67.9 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (24.2 points above). The exceeded rate averages 41.5% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 10.6% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 42.6 to 84.3, a 41.8-point spread.
How many schools are in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Rancho Santa Margarita has 9 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.