Excellent
#625 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 7% in state
Harold Ambuehl Elementary
Elementary School · Capistrano Unified
28001 San Juan Creek Rd., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Juan Capistrano
#1 of 12
public schools
California elementary schools
#461 of 5,817
In district
#12 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Harold Ambuehl Elementary
Harold Ambuehl Elementary is a public elementary school in San Juan Capistrano, CA, part of the Capistrano Unified. The school serves approximately 312 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 22.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 93.5th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 53% proficiency in math, 13 points above the state average and 56% in reading/language arts, 10 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $127,893, where 42% 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 Harold Ambuehl Elementary is 22.3:1, 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
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Harold Ambuehl Elementary — Students at Harold Ambuehl Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.3%
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: 9.8/10.
How Harold Ambuehl Elementary Compares
See how Harold Ambuehl Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 55.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 56.46% (2024).
Location
28001 San Juan Creek Rd., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harold Ambuehl Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MISSION BASILICA SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is THE JOHNSON ACADEMY (rated 5.2/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Capistrano Home/Virtual (rated 4.8/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Juan Capistrano, see our San Juan Capistrano schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MARGARET S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano | 0.3 mi | 3.8 |
| St. Margaret's Episcopal School San Juan Capistrano | 0.3 mi | — |
| THE JOHNSON ACADEMY San Juan Capistrano | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| MARBELLA MONTESSORI San Juan Capistrano | 0.8 mi | — |
| Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano Covina | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| San Juan Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 0.9 mi | 3.0 |
| FOUNDATIONS COGNITIVE SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Bridges Community Day San Juan Capistrano | 1.0 mi | — |
| MISSION BASILICA SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Mission Basilica School San Juan Capistrano | 1.0 mi | — |
| OCASA College Prep San Juan Capistrano | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Capistrano Union High San Juan Capistrano | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| San Juan Hills High San Juan Capistrano | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Fairmont Schools Inc. - San Juan Capistrano Campus San Juan Capistrano | 1.7 mi | — |
| FAIRMONT SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO San Juan Capistrano | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| JSerra Catholic High School San Juan Capistrano | 1.8 mi | — |
| Capistrano Home/Virtual San Juan Capistrano | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92675 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$127,893
Median Home Value
$929,700
Median Rent
$2,500/mo
Population
34,998
College Educated
42.3%
Homeownership
78.5%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
44.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harold Ambuehl Elementary has a median household income of $127,893. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $929,700, with a median rent of $2,500/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Aspire Firestone Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 8.5 |
| Birney Tech Academy Pico Rivera, CA | 8.5 |
| Carver Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| College View Elementary Huntington Beach, CA | 8.5 |
| D. J. Sedgwick Elementary Cupertino, CA | 8.5 |
| Dominguez Elementary Carson, CA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harold Ambuehl Elementary
What grades does Harold Ambuehl Elementary serve?
Harold Ambuehl Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Harold Ambuehl Elementary?
Harold Ambuehl Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 312 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harold Ambuehl Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Harold Ambuehl Elementary is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harold Ambuehl Elementary rank in CA?
Harold Ambuehl Elementary is ranked #625 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Harold Ambuehl Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Harold Ambuehl Elementary has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Harold Ambuehl Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harold Ambuehl Elementary has 52.6% math proficiency and 55.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harold Ambuehl Elementary a charter school?
No, Harold Ambuehl Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harold Ambuehl Elementary a Title I school?
No, Harold Ambuehl Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harold Ambuehl Elementary?
42.3% of students at Harold Ambuehl 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 (San Juan Capistrano). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 312
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 661-0400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #12 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
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