Rancho Santa Margarita · Orange County
Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita
Rancho Santa Margarita’s 6 public elementary schools run from the 56th to the 97th percentile among the 5,721 California elementary schools we score (spring 2025 tests).
Rancho Santa Margarita’s 6 public elementary schools · 1 dot each
California’s public elementary schools · 1 dot = 1 in 100
Needs Support25 in 100Developing25 in 100Solid25 in 100Strong25 in 100
Rancho Santa Margarita’s 6 public elementary schools · 1 dot each
California’s public elementary schools · 1 dot = 1 in 100
Needs Support25 in 100Developing25 in 100Solid25 in 100Strong25 in 100
0Needs Support
0Developing
1Solid
5Strong
Highest in Rancho Santa Margarita
Statewide percentile- Las Flores ElementaryHigh Ceiling · Growth Engine · Strong All-Around97thStrong
- Arroyo Vista ElementaryGrowth Engine · Strong All-Around88thStrong
- Tijeras Creek ElementaryStrong All-Around83rdStrong
Context
The average Rancho Santa Margarita elementary school had 11 in 100 students chronically absent (missed 10% or more of school days) in 2024–25; the average California elementary school had 18 in 100.
The other 3 elementary schools
- Melinda Heights ElementaryGrowth Engine81stStrong
- Trabuco Mesa ElementarySolid Base80thStrong
- Cielo Vista ElementaryGrowth Engine56thSolid
Each percentile compares a school with California schools at its own level.
Rancho Santa Margarita has one public middle school we score, Arroyo Vista Middle, at the 96th percentile among the 2,177 California middle schools we score (spring 2025 tests).
Rancho Santa Margarita’s 1 public middle schools · 1 dot each
California’s public middle schools · 1 dot = 1 in 100
Needs Support25 in 100Developing25 in 100Solid25 in 100Strong25 in 100
Rancho Santa Margarita’s 1 public middle schools · 1 dot each
California’s public middle schools · 1 dot = 1 in 100
Needs Support25 in 100Developing25 in 100Solid25 in 100Strong25 in 100
0Needs Support
0Developing
0Solid
1Strong
Middle schools in Rancho Santa Margarita
Statewide percentile- Arroyo Vista MiddleHigh Ceiling · Growth Engine · Strong All-Around96thStrong
7 private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita aren’t shown: they don’t take the state tests, so we don’t score them.
See them
- Serra Catholic SchoolPrivate · Roman Catholic · grades Pre-K-8 · 949 students
- St. Johns Episcopal SchoolPrivate · Episcopal · grades Pre-K-8 · 389 students
- Dba Mission Hills Christian SchoolPrivate · Christian (no specific denomination) · grades Pre-K-8 · 277 students
- Rancho Viejo Montessori SchoolPrivate · Nonsectarian · grades Pre-K-8 · 52 students
- Ocean View NpsPrivate · Nonsectarian · grades 6-12 · 40 students
- Guidepost Montessori at Las FloresPrivate · Nonsectarian · grades Pre-K-TK · 11 students
- Limai Montessori AcademyPrivate · Nonsectarian · grades Pre-K · 7 students
More places to look
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A district outline or ZIP code doesn’t decide which school a child attends. Confirm the school for your address, grade and program with the district. See these schools on the map ›
Questions parents ask
Are the public schools in Rancho Santa Margarita good?
Rancho Santa Margarita’s 6 public elementary schools run from the 56th to the 97th percentile among the 5,721 California elementary schools we score (spring 2025 tests). By band: 5 Strong and 1 Solid. Rancho Santa Margarita has one public middle school we score, Arroyo Vista Middle, at the 96th percentile among the 2,177 California middle schools we score (spring 2025 tests). By band: 1 Strong. A percentile compares a school with California public schools at the same level that we score; it isn’t a grade. How we score schools.
Which public schools in Rancho Santa Margarita rank highest?
Elementary: Las Flores Elementary, 97th percentile statewide (Strong). Middle: Arroyo Vista Middle, 96th percentile statewide (Strong). Each level is ranked separately, and a few percentiles apart is a tie. A rank doesn’t decide fit or whether a child can enroll.
How does chronic absence in Rancho Santa Margarita compare with California?
The average Rancho Santa Margarita elementary school had 11 in 100 students chronically absent (missed 10% or more of school days) in 2024–25; the average California elementary school had 18 in 100. These are averages of school rates: each school counts once, whatever its size.
Does living in Rancho Santa Margarita decide which school my child attends?
No. A city can hold schools from more than one district, and attendance boundaries decide which school serves an address. Confirm the school for your address with the district.
Where do these results come from?
California’s state tests (CAASPP) from spring 2025 and chronic-absence rates for 2024–25, both published by the California Department of Education. Percentiles, bands and Scope Scores are SchoolScope’s calculations, not official state ratings. Private schools don’t take the state tests, so we don’t score them. Methodology and limitations.
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.
Download these schools (CSV) · free to use under CC BY 4.0 with attribution · How we score schools