Average
#3912 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 41% in state
John Malcom Elementary
Elementary School · Capistrano Unified
32261 Charles Ave., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Laguna Niguel
#5 of 9
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,501 of 5,817
In district
#45 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About John Malcom Elementary
John Malcom Elementary serves 551 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Laguna Niguel's affluent community. This regular public school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 24:1, supported by 23 full-time equivalent teachers who help maintain the school's strong academic reputation. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.7 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #1596 out of 9566 California elementary schools.
Students show strong literacy skills with 67% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while 62% meet or exceed standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's 8.8 out of 10 academic score. John Malcom Elementary draws from a well-educated community where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $135,822.
The surrounding ZIP code 92677 has a population of 64,259 with a low poverty rate of 7.4%, creating a stable environment for learning. Located on Charles Avenue in this large suburban area of Orange County, the school benefits from being situated in one of Southern California's more prosperous communities, where median home values of over $1 million reflect the area's desirability and commitment to educational excellence.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at John Malcom Elementary is 24:1, 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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John Malcom Elementary — Students at John Malcom Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.2%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.
How John Malcom Elementary Compares
See how John Malcom Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 62.26% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 67.19% (2024).
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. Richard Henry Dana Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Dana Point), which scores notably higher. Another option is Del Obispo Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Juan Capistrano), which scores notably higher. Additionally, George White Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 8.9 |
| Richard Henry Dana Elementary Dana Point | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Del Obispo Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Marco Forster Middle San Juan Capistrano | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| ST EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PARISH SCHOOL Dana Point | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| George White Elementary Laguna Niguel | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| St. Edward the Confessor Parish School Dana Point | 2.0 mi | — |
| Kinoshita Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| 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 | 4.5 |
| CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Capistrano Home/Virtual San Juan Capistrano | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| California Preparatory Academy San Juan Capistrano | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Moulton Elementary Laguna Niguel | 2.5 mi | 6.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding John Malcom Elementary has a median household income of $140,605. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,123,000, with a median rent of $2,819/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% 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 |
|---|---|
| A. E. Arnold Elementary Cypress, CA | 6.7 |
| ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL DAY SCHOOL Northridge, CA | 6.7 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Sacramento, CA | 6.7 |
| Acacia Elementary Fullerton, CA | 6.7 |
| Acacia Magnet School for Enriched Learning Thousand Oaks, CA | 6.7 |
| Ada Clegg Elementary Huntington Beach, CA | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #3912 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is John Malcom Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
John Malcom Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 John Malcom Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Malcom Elementary has 62.9% math proficiency and 67.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,036/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laguna Niguel). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (949) 248-0542
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #45 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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