Excellent
#571 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 6% in state
Esencia
Elementary School · Capistrano Unified
5 Aprender St., Rancho Mission Viejo, CA 92694
Enrollment
904
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
904
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#571 of 9,539
In Rancho Mission Viejo
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#10 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Esencia
Elementary School in Rancho Mission Viejo · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Esencia Middle
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Montessori of Ladera Ranch
2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Esencia
Esencia is a public elementary school in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA, part of Capistrano Unified. Esencia serves approximately 904 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Esencia has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #571 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Esencia show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 7.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Esencia runs 24.4:1 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
Esencia — Students at Esencia score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Esencia Compares
See how Esencia 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
5 Aprender St., Rancho Mission Viejo, CA 92694
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Esencia may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wagon Wheel Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Coto De Caza), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ladera Ranch Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Ladera Ranch), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chaparral Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Ladera Ranch), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Rancho Mission Viejo, see our Rancho Mission Viejo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Esencia Middle Rancho Mission Viejo | 0.0 mi | 9.6 |
| MONTESSORI OF LADERA RANCH Ladera Ranch | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| San Juan Hills High San Juan Capistrano | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Oso Grande Elementary Ladera Ranch | 2.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Ladera Ranch Middle Ladera Ranch | 2.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Ladera Ranch Elementary Ladera Ranch | 2.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Wagon Wheel Elementary Coto De Caza | 3.2 mi | 8.8 |
| PACIFIC PRESCHOOL Ladera Ranch | 2.8 mi | — |
| Chaparral Elementary Ladera Ranch | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Tesoro High Las Flores | 3.3 mi | 8.5 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT LAS FLORES Rancho Santa Margarita | 3.7 mi | — |
| Harold Ambuehl Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Las Flores Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 4.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Las Flores Middle Las Flores | 4.0 mi | 8.7 |
| St. Margaret's Episcopal School San Juan Capistrano | 3.7 mi | — |
| ST MARGARET S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano | 3.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Vista del Mar Elementary San Clemente | 4.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Vista del Mar Middle San Clemente | 4.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Carl Hankey Middle Mission Viejo | 4.1 mi | 8.4 |
| MARBELLA MONTESSORI San Juan Capistrano | 4.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92694 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$183,168
Median Home Value
$1,042,600
Median Rent
$3,318/mo
Population
35,019
College Educated
65%
Homeownership
74.4%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Median Age
36.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Casita Center for Science/Math/Technology Vista, CA | 8.7 |
| Creekview Ranch Roseville, CA | 8.7 |
| Curtner Elementary Milpitas, CA | 8.7 |
| Dingeman Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.7 |
| Horace Mann Elementary Glendale, CA | 8.7 |
| Jonas Salk Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Esencia
What grades does Esencia serve?
Esencia serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Esencia?
Esencia has an enrollment of approximately 904 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Esencia?
The student-teacher ratio at Esencia is 24.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Esencia rank in CA?
Esencia ranks #571 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Esencia's MySchoolScout rating?
Esencia has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Esencia?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Esencia has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
Is Esencia a charter school?
No, Esencia is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Esencia a Title I school?
No, Esencia is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Esencia?
13.4% of students at Esencia 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 904
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.1%
- Phone
- (949) 234-9200
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #10 of 57
Other Schools in This District
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