Best Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, California
21 schools · 16 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $142,015
- Median home value
- $857,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 49%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
23% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Rancho Santa Margarita compares
California rank
#222 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$142k
142% of California median
Schools in this city
13
About Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Rancho Santa Margarita, California is home to 21 schools, including 8 public schools and 13 private schools. The city's schools span 16 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in Rancho Santa Margarita show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Rancho Santa Margarita is Las Flores Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Rancho Santa Margarita is served by 2 school districts: Capistrano Unified, Saddleback Valley Unified. These districts collectively serve 64,035 students.
Rancho Santa Margarita's community shows 49% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $142,015. The poverty rate in the area is 5.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
16 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 322 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 630 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 | ||
| 3 | 518 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 4 | 318 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 5 | 488 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.1 | ||
| 6 | 950 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.1 | ||
| Private Schools 10 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Private
389 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Private
52 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 277 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | SERRA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Private
949 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 307 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | 915 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | LiMai Montessori Academy RSM
Private
8 students · Kindergarten–1st | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | St. John's Episcopal
Private
396 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | 11 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
| 10 | LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY
Private
7 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 330 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 1,116 students · 7th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OCEAN VIEW NPS
Private
40 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | Foundations Cognitive Schools
Private
30 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated |
| 3 | Ocean View Nonpublic School
Private
49 students · 3rd–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita
Rancho Santa Margarita, California · 21 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$142,015
Median Home Value
$857,100
Median Rent
$2,508/mo
Population
43,937
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Community Profile
Rancho Santa Margarita has a median household income of $142,015. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $857,100, with a median rent of $2,508/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 21
- Elementary
- 16
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
- Districts
- 2
- Avg Rating
- 6.6/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, California
How many schools are in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
Rancho Santa Margarita has 21 schools, including 8 public and 13 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rancho Santa Margarita is 6.6 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
The top-ranked school in Rancho Santa Margarita on MySchoolScout is Las Flores Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Rancho Santa Margarita on MySchoolScout is Las Flores Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Rancho Santa Margarita on MySchoolScout is Arroyo Vista Middle with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
The top-ranked high school in Rancho Santa Margarita on MySchoolScout is Ocean View Nps with a composite score of 5.6/10.
How many school districts serve Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
Rancho Santa Margarita is served by 2 school districts: Capistrano Unified, Saddleback Valley Unified.
What is the education level in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
According to Census data, 49% of adults in Rancho Santa Margarita have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
The median household income in Rancho Santa Margarita is approximately $142,015 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
Yes, Rancho Santa Margarita has 13 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Johns Episcopal School with a score of 6.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rancho Santa Margarita is 15.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.