Average
#6299 of 9,539 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
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,299 of 9,539
In Rancho Santa Margarita
#8 of 8
public schools
In district
#27 of 33
Saddleback Valley Unified
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Very Good
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Cielo Vista Elementary
Elementary School in Rancho Santa Margarita · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Trabuco Mesa Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cielo Vista Elementary
Cielo Vista Elementary is a public elementary school in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, part of Saddleback Valley Unified. Cielo Vista Elementary serves approximately 488 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Cielo Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #6,299 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Cielo Vista Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 6.2
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Cielo Vista Elementary runs 22.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 32 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: 4.5/10.
How Cielo Vista Elementary Compares
See how Cielo Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tijeras Creek Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arroyo Vista Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 7.6 |
| Trabuco Mesa Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Robinson Elementary Trabuco Canyon | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.3 mi | 9.1 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alamo Elementary Vacaville, CA | 5.6 |
| Aliso Elementary Carpinteria, CA | 5.6 |
| Arbuckle Elementary Arbuckle, CA | 5.6 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Redding, CA | 5.6 |
| Camino Elementary Camino, CA | 5.6 |
| Carmela Elementary Whittier, CA | 5.6 |
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 ranks #6,299 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Cielo Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cielo Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cielo Vista Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cielo Vista Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.0%
- Phone
- (949) 589-7456
Resources & Links
District
Saddleback Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 23,199
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,539
- District Rank
- #27 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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