Excellent
#15 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 1% in state
Esencia Middle
Middle School · Capistrano Unified
5 Aprender St., Rancho Mission Viejo, CA 92694
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
9.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
9.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#15 of 9,539
In Rancho Mission Viejo
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#1 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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Esencia Middle
Middle School in Rancho Mission Viejo · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Esencia
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 Middle
Esencia Middle is a public middle school in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA, part of Capistrano Unified. Esencia Middle serves approximately 284 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Esencia Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10 and ranks #15 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Esencia Middle show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).
- This school 9.6 · Excellent
- District avg 8.3
- CA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Esencia Middle — Students at Esencia Middle score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.8%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.
How Esencia Middle Compares
See how Esencia Middle 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 Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Vista del Mar Middle (rated 8.8/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby San Clemente), with a comparable rating. Another option is Ladera Ranch Middle (rated 8.7/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Ladera Ranch), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Las Flores Middle (rated 8.7/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Las Flores), with a comparable 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 Rancho Mission Viejo | 0.0 mi | 8.7 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Downtown Charter Academy Oakland, CA | 9.6 |
| College Connection Academy San Jose, CA | 9.5 |
| ICEF Vista Middle Academy Los Angeles, CA | 9.5 |
| Corte Madera Portola Valley, CA | 9.4 |
| R. Roger Rowe Middle Rancho Santa Fe, CA | 9.2 |
| Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Esencia Middle
What grades does Esencia Middle serve?
Esencia Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Esencia Middle?
Esencia Middle has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Esencia Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Esencia Middle is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Esencia Middle rank in CA?
Esencia Middle ranks #15 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Esencia Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Esencia Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 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 Esencia Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Esencia Middle has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).
Is Esencia Middle a charter school?
No, Esencia Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Esencia Middle a Title I school?
No, Esencia Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Esencia Middle?
20.8% of students at Esencia Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 284
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 5.3%
- Phone
- (949) 234-9900
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #1 of 57
Other Schools in This District
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