Excellent
#1156 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 12% in state
Esencia
Elementary School · Capistrano Unified
5 Aprender St., Rancho Mission Viejo, CA 92694
Enrollment
904
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
904
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rancho Mission Viejo
#2 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#830 of 5,817
In district
#28 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Esencia
Esencia is a public elementary school in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA, part of the Capistrano Unified. The school serves approximately 904 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 24.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 87.9th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math, 28 points above the state average and 75% in reading/language arts, 30 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $183,168, where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Esencia is 24.4:1, 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
Esencia — Students at Esencia score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
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 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.
How Esencia Compares
See how Esencia performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 68.67% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 75.18% (2024).
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. Chaparral Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Ladera Ranch), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ladera Ranch Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Ladera Ranch), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harold Ambuehl Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby San Juan Capistrano), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 8.8 |
| MONTESSORI OF LADERA RANCH Ladera Ranch | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| San Juan Hills High San Juan Capistrano | 2.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Oso Grande Elementary Ladera Ranch | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Ladera Ranch Middle Ladera Ranch | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Ladera Ranch Elementary Ladera Ranch | 2.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Wagon Wheel Elementary Coto De Caza | 3.2 mi | 8.3 |
| PACIFIC PRESCHOOL Ladera Ranch | 2.8 mi | — |
| Chaparral Elementary Ladera Ranch | 2.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Tesoro High Las Flores | 3.3 mi | 7.9 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT LAS FLORES Rancho Santa Margarita | 3.7 mi | — |
| Harold Ambuehl Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 3.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Las Flores Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 4.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Las Flores Middle Las Flores | 4.0 mi | 8.6 |
| 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 | 7.1 |
| Vista del Mar Middle San Clemente | 4.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Carl Hankey Middle Mission Viejo | 4.1 mi | 7.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Esencia has a median household income of $183,168. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,042,600, with a median rent of $3,318/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% 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 |
|---|---|
| Altamont Creek Elementary Livermore, CA | 8.1 |
| Bathgate Elementary Mission Viejo, CA | 8.1 |
| Bell Gardens Elementary Bell Gardens, CA | 8.1 |
| Camino Nuevo Elementary #3 Los Angeles, CA | 8.1 |
| Caruthers Elementary Caruthers, CA | 8.1 |
| Carver Elementary San Marino, CA | 8.1 |
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 is ranked #1156 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Esencia's MySchoolScout rating?
Esencia 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 Esencia?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Esencia has 67.2% math proficiency and 74.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (949) 234-9200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #28 of 57
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.