ExploreMapCompareBlogSign in

Elementary Schools in Lake Forest, California: Lake Forest schools average 6.2 points above the state — but the range is 23.8 points wide.

Above Average2024–25 data6 schools · avg 50.0/100

Lake Forest, California has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 50.0/100 — 6.2 points above the state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Rancho Canada Elementary at 57/100, where 28.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Lake Forest schools average 24.8% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 11.9% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
50.0
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
23.8
33.2 – 56.9
Avg Exceeded %
24.8%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
11.9%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
6
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary6Solid
50.0/100
24.8%+6.2
High1Solid
65.2/100
24.7%+17.7

How Lake Forest schools compare

Lake Forest has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 50.0/100 — 6.2 points above the state average of 43.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Rancho Canada Elementary with a Scope Score of 57 and 28.6% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Lake Forest schools average 24.8% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%.

Chronic absenteeism in Lake Forest averages 11.9% — below the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%

School archetypes in Lake Forest

3 Culture First3 Building Momentum

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

For the data nerds

Every school in Lake Forest

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1El Toro High
Saddleback Valley Unified Strong All-Around
24.7%Solid
65/100
2Rancho Canada Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First
28.6%Solid
57/100
3La Madera Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
33.1%Solid
56/100
4Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
31.1%Solid
55/100
5Lake Forest Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First
24.5%Solid
52/100
6Ralph A. Gates DLI Magnet Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Culture First
17.0%Developing
47/100
7Olivewood Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified Building Momentum
14.6%Developing
33/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 7 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

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 Lake Forest

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.

Grace Christian Schools
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-8 · 178 students
11:1Private
Montessori on the Lake
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-7 · 78 students
6:1Private
Fulbright Montessori Academy
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-1 · 20 students
10:1Private
Lake Forest Montessori School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-1 · 17 students
9:1Private
Heritage Montessori School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-2 · 16 students
5:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Lake Forest

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

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Lake Forest good?
Lake Forest's 6 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 50.0/100, which is 6.2 points above the state average. 24.8% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights seven dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), ELPAC proficiency (5%), suspension rate (5%), and baseline proficiency (3%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Lake Forest?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Lake Forest is Rancho Canada Elementary with a Scope Score of 57/100 and 28.6% 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 Lake Forest schools compare to the state average?
Lake Forest elementary schools average a Scope Score of 50.0/100 — 6.2 points above the state average of 43.8. The exceeded rate averages 24.8% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 11.9% vs. 18.1% statewide.
How many schools are in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest has 6 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 seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline 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.

Related

All California SchoolsTop Schools in Lake ForestSaddleback Valley UnifiedZip 92630

Plus 45 licensed preschools. Browse preschools in Lake Forest →

← Explore all schools