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Excellent

#1155 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 12% in state

Arroyo Vista Middle

Middle School · Capistrano Unified

23371 Arroyo Vista, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Enrollment

330

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

8.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rancho Santa Margarita

#3 of 8

public schools

California middle schools

#124 of 1,349

In district

#27 of 57

Capistrano Unified

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Arroyo Vista Middle

Arroyo Vista Middle serves 330 students in grades 6-8 in Rancho Santa Margarita, delivering exceptional academic outcomes that place it among California's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranking 174th out of 9,566 schools statewide, this public school demonstrates remarkable educational excellence in Orange County. The school's academic achievements are particularly impressive, with 82% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 71% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These strong results reflect both quality instruction and student engagement across all three middle school grade levels. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Arroyo Vista maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1. Students benefit from being part of a well-educated community where 49% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $141,089.

The low poverty rate of 4.9% in the 92688 zip code suggests families have strong resources to support their children's educational journey. Arroyo Vista Middle operates in Rancho Santa Margarita's large suburban setting, where tree-lined neighborhoods and planned communities create an environment conducive to learning and family life.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Arroyo Vista Middle is 20.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.4Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.3%
Math vs. State Avg+36.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36.4 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,458

Arroyo Vista Middle — Students at Arroyo Vista Middle score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.6%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 82.1%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
74%
ELA
81%
2024
Math
71%
ELA
82.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How Arroyo Vista Middle Compares

See how Arroyo Vista Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
88th percentile in CA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

23371 Arroyo Vista, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Arroyo Vista Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Las Flores Middle (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Las Flores), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate (rated 6.5/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, see our Rancho Santa Margarita schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 0.0 mi 6.7
SERRA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 0.4 mi 5.1
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School Rancho Santa Margarita 0.4 mi
RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 0.4 mi 6.4
DBA MISSION HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi 6.3
Community Christian Schools dba RSM Christian School Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi
Tijeras Creek Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi 6.7
LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Rancho Santa Margarita 1.0 mi
LiMai Montessori Academy RSM Rancho Santa Margarita 1.0 mi
Foundations Cognitive Schools Rancho Santa Margarita 1.0 mi
Philip J. Reilly Elementary Mission Viejo 1.2 mi 9.2
Ocean View Nonpublic School Rancho Santa Margarita 1.3 mi
OCEAN VIEW NPS Rancho Santa Margarita 1.3 mi 5.6
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi 6.9
St. John's Episcopal Rancho Santa Margarita 1.7 mi
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita 2.0 mi 6.5
Melinda Heights Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.4 mi 5.1
Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.3 mi 6.1
Las Flores Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.7 mi 8.2
Las Flores Middle Las Flores 2.7 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92688 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$142,015

Median Home Value

$857,100

Median Rent

$2,508/mo

Population

43,937

College Educated

48.6%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

39

Community Profile

The community surrounding Arroyo Vista Middle 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.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
College Preparatory Middle Spring Valley, CA 8.1
Environmental Charter Middle - Inglewood Inglewood, CA 8.1
Giano Intermediate West Covina, CA 8.1
Temple (Roger W.) Intermediate Rosemead, CA 8.1
Carpinteria Middle Carpinteria, CA 8.2
Central Middle San Carlos, CA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Arroyo Vista Middle

What grades does Arroyo Vista Middle serve?

Arroyo Vista Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Arroyo Vista Middle?

Arroyo Vista Middle has an enrollment of approximately 330 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Arroyo Vista Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Arroyo Vista Middle is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Arroyo Vista Middle rank in CA?

Arroyo Vista Middle is ranked #1155 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Arroyo Vista Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Arroyo Vista Middle has a composite rating of 8.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Arroyo Vista Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arroyo Vista Middle has 71.6% math proficiency and 82.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Arroyo Vista Middle a charter school?

No, Arroyo Vista Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Arroyo Vista Middle a Title I school?

No, Arroyo Vista Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arroyo Vista Middle?

20.0% of students at Arroyo Vista Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (607/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rancho Santa Margarita). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Capistrano Unified
District Enrollment
40,836
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,860
District Rank
#27 of 57

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 methodology

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