Very Good
#2876 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 30% in state
EL Morro Elementary
Elementary School · Laguna Beach Unified
8681 North Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Laguna Beach
#4 of 4
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,928 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 4
Laguna Beach Unified
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About EL Morro Elementary
El Morro Elementary serves 419 students in kindergarten through fifth grade along the scenic North Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. This highly-rated public school has earned a 9.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #184 out of 9,566 California elementary schools, placing it in the 98th percentile statewide. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio.
Academic performance is exceptional, with 78% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 73% achieving proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. These strong results have earned the school an impressive 9.5 out of 10 academic score. The school draws from an affluent and well-educated community in the 92651 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $148,381 and home values average over $2 million.
Two-thirds of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains low at just 5.3%. El Morro Elementary operates within Laguna Beach's large suburban setting in Orange County, providing students with an outstanding educational foundation in one of California's most picturesque coastal communities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at EL Morro Elementary is 20.9:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
EL Morro Elementary — Students at EL Morro Elementary score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 5.2/10.
How EL Morro Elementary Compares
See how EL Morro Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 73.16% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 77.92% (2024).
Location
8681 North Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering EL Morro Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Abraham Lincoln Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Costa Mesa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Newport Coast Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Costa Mesa), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harbor View Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Costa Mesa), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Laguna Beach, see our Laguna Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Newport Coast Elementary Costa Mesa | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| ANNELIESE SCHOOL Laguna Beach | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Anneliese Schools Laguna Beach | 3.1 mi | — |
| Laguna Beach High Laguna Beach | 3.2 mi | 9.3 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAGUNA BEACH Laguna Beach | 3.3 mi | — |
| Sage Hill School Newport Coast | 3.7 mi | — |
| HARBOR DAY SCHOOL Corona Del Mar | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Costa Mesa | 3.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Harbor View Elementary Costa Mesa | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Thurston Middle Laguna Beach | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Roy O. Andersen Elementary Costa Mesa | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Vista Verde Irvine | 4.5 mi | 6.8 |
| B-Greatness LLC Laguna Beach | 4.0 mi | — |
| BLACKWELL LLC Laguna Beach | 4.0 mi | — |
| MENTAL UNIVERSE LLC Laguna Beach | 4.0 mi | — |
| Iugo World Academy Laguna Beach | 4.0 mi | — |
| ANNELIESE SCHOOLS, INC. Laguna Beach | 3.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach | 3.8 mi | 6.4 |
| ISEA - International Newport Beach | 4.3 mi | — |
| ST MATTHEWS MONTESSORI Newport Beach | 4.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92651 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$143,569
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$2,812/mo
Population
23,477
College Educated
67.5%
Homeownership
65.2%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Median Age
52.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding EL Morro Elementary has a median household income of $143,569. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $2,812/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ALMADEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 7.2 |
| Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 7.2 |
| Alta Vista Elementary Los Gatos, CA | 7.2 |
| Alturas Elementary Alturas, CA | 7.2 |
| Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA | 7.2 |
| Anatola Avenue Elementary Lake Balboa, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EL Morro Elementary
What grades does EL Morro Elementary serve?
EL Morro Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend EL Morro Elementary?
EL Morro Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 419 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at EL Morro Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at EL Morro Elementary is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does EL Morro Elementary rank in CA?
EL Morro Elementary is ranked #2876 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is EL Morro Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
EL Morro Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 EL Morro Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, EL Morro Elementary has 74.4% math proficiency and 79.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is EL Morro Elementary a charter school?
No, EL Morro Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is EL Morro Elementary a Title I school?
No, EL Morro Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for EL Morro Elementary?
24.8% of students at EL Morro 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laguna Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 419
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 497-7780
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laguna Beach Unified- District Enrollment
- 2,386
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,416
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.