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Average

#3658 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 38% in state

John Malcom Elementary

Elementary School · Capistrano Unified

32261 Charles Ave., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Enrollment

551

Student-Teacher

24:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,658 of 9,539

In Laguna Niguel

#8 of 9

public schools

In district

#47 of 57

Capistrano Unified

Equity

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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John Malcom Elementary

6.9/10

Elementary School in Laguna Niguel · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kie Montessori

Nearby

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Montessori of Laguna Niguel

Nearby

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About John Malcom Elementary

John Malcom Elementary is a public elementary school in Laguna Niguel, CA, part of Capistrano Unified. John Malcom Elementary serves approximately 551 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24:1 student-teacher ratio. John Malcom Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,658 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for John Malcom Elementary show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

John Malcom Elementary runs 24:1 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 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+16.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+24.4 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,860
Chronic Absenteeism20.7%

John Malcom Elementary — Students at John Malcom Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 71.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
80%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
60%
ELA
68%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
68%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
71%
2017
Math
63%
ELA
74%
2018
Math
66%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
66%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
61.8%
ELA
68.1%
2024
Math
62.2%
ELA
66.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How John Malcom Elementary Compares

See how John Malcom Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

32261 Charles Ave., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Malcom Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moulton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Capistrano Home/Virtual (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby San Juan Capistrano), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hidden Hills Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Laguna Niguel, see our Laguna Niguel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
KIE Montessori Laguna Niguel 0.9 mi
MONTESSORI OF LAGUNA NIGUEL Laguna Niguel 0.9 mi
MONARCH BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY Dana Point 1.1 mi 6.0
Monarch Bay Montessori Academy Dana Point 1.1 mi
Dana Hills High Dana Point 1.3 mi 8.0
Richard Henry Dana Elementary Dana Point 1.9 mi 6.5
Del Obispo Elementary San Juan Capistrano 1.6 mi 6.4
Marco Forster Middle San Juan Capistrano 1.7 mi 6.2
ST EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PARISH SCHOOL Dana Point 1.9 mi 5.7
George White Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.9 mi 6.7
St. Edward the Confessor Parish School Dana Point 2.0 mi
Kinoshita Elementary San Juan Capistrano 1.8 mi 4.1
ST EDWARD PARISH SCHOOL Dana Point 2.0 mi 5.6
West River Academy Dana Point 2.1 mi
Hidden Hills Elementary Laguna Niguel 2.4 mi 7.3
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano 2.1 mi 4.9
Capistrano Home/Virtual San Juan Capistrano 2.2 mi 7.6
California Preparatory Academy San Juan Capistrano 2.2 mi 7.7
Moulton Elementary Laguna Niguel 2.5 mi 7.8
LAGUNA NIGUEL JR ACADEMY Laguna Niguel 2.6 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92677 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,605

Median Home Value

$1,123,000

Median Rent

$2,819/mo

Population

64,023

College Educated

59.3%

Homeownership

66.5%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

47.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ASCEND Oakland, CA 6.9
Adelante Dual Language Academy II San Jose, CA 6.9
Audubon K-8 San Diego, CA 6.9
Brookside Elementary Beaumont, CA 6.9
Browns Valley Elementary Vacaville, CA 6.9
Castle Park Elementary Chula Vista, CA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Malcom Elementary

What grades does John Malcom Elementary serve?

John Malcom Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend John Malcom Elementary?

John Malcom Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 551 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Malcom Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at John Malcom Elementary is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Malcom Elementary rank in CA?

John Malcom Elementary ranks #3,658 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is John Malcom Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

John Malcom Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 John Malcom Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Malcom Elementary has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is John Malcom Elementary a charter school?

No, John Malcom Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John Malcom Elementary a Title I school?

No, John Malcom Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Malcom Elementary?

25.2% of students at John Malcom 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.7%

District

Capistrano Unified
District Enrollment
40,836
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,860
District Rank
#47 of 57

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