Average
#5361 of 9,533 schools in CA
Cielo Vista Elementary
Elementary School · Saddleback Valley Unified
21811 Avenida De Los Fundadores, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rancho Santa Margarita
#7 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,248 of 5,817
In district
#25 of 33
Saddleback Valley Unified
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Cielo Vista Elementary
Cielo Vista Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the suburban community of Rancho Santa Margarita, California. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 488 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1. Cielo Vista offers a supportive learning environment with 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' growth.
The academic performance at Cielo Vista Elementary reflects room for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #4066 among California’s 9,566 schools (placing it in the 58th percentile). In terms of proficiency scores, 45% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 42% are at that level in Math. These results suggest areas for continued focus and development.
Cielo Vista Elementary is situated in a large suburban area within Orange County, offering a blend of community resources and amenities. The school provides a solid foundation for young learners as they embark on their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Cielo Vista Elementary is 22.2:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Cielo Vista Elementary — Students at Cielo Vista Elementary score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.
How Cielo Vista Elementary Compares
See how Cielo Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 43% (2019) to 41.31% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 44.31% (2024).
Location
21811 Avenida De Los Fundadores, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cielo Vista Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Trabuco Mesa Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tijeras Creek Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, see our Rancho Santa Margarita schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Trabuco Mesa Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 0.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Robinson Elementary Trabuco Canyon | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| St. John's Episcopal Rancho Santa Margarita | 0.9 mi | — |
| OCEAN VIEW NPS Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Ocean View Nonpublic School Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.0 mi | — |
| ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Foundations Cognitive Schools Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.3 mi | — |
| LiMai Montessori Academy RSM Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.4 mi | — |
| LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.4 mi | — |
| Tijeras Creek Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Community Christian Schools dba RSM Christian School Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.8 mi | — |
| DBA MISSION HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Melinda Heights Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| SERRA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| St. Junipero Serra Catholic School Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.4 mi | — |
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 Cielo Vista Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| ADVENTURE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Roseville, CA | 6.1 |
| Alice Birney Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento, CA | 6.1 |
| Allen (Ella B.) Elementary Bonita, CA | 6.1 |
| Alta Sierra Elementary Grass Valley, CA | 6.1 |
| Anaverde Hills Palmdale, CA | 6.1 |
| Baker Elementary San Diego, CA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cielo Vista Elementary
What grades does Cielo Vista Elementary serve?
Cielo Vista Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Cielo Vista Elementary?
Cielo Vista Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 488 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cielo Vista Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cielo Vista Elementary is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cielo Vista Elementary rank in CA?
Cielo Vista Elementary is ranked #5361 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Cielo Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cielo Vista Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Cielo Vista Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cielo Vista Elementary has 41.6% math proficiency and 45.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cielo Vista Elementary a charter school?
No, Cielo Vista Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cielo Vista Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cielo Vista Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cielo Vista Elementary?
61.1% of students at Cielo Vista Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (607/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rancho Santa Margarita). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 488
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 589-7456
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Saddleback Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 23,199
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,539
- District Rank
- #25 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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