Average
#6125 of 9,533 schools in CA
Ladera Elementary
Elementary School · Tustin Unified
300 South C St., Tustin, CA 92780
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tustin
#19 of 26
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,672 of 5,817
In district
#22 of 28
Tustin Unified
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Ladera Elementary
Ladera Elementary serves 312 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Tustin, California, earning recognition as one of Orange County's stronger elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking in the 79th percentile statewide, the school demonstrates solid academic performance across core subjects. The school's 12 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a student-teacher ratio of 26:1, working with students who achieve notable results in both English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Sixty-five percent of students perform at proficient levels or above in reading, while 66% reach proficiency in math, reflecting consistent academic achievement across grade levels. Ladera Elementary draws from a stable residential community where the median household income reaches $89,375 and home values average nearly $800,000. About one-third of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, contributing to an education-focused environment.
The relatively low poverty rate of 10.5% in the surrounding area supports student learning and family engagement. Located on South C Street in Tustin, Ladera Elementary operates within a small city setting that combines suburban residential character with proximity to Orange County's educational and economic opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ladera Elementary is 26:1, 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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Ladera Elementary — Students at Ladera 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
26%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.
How Ladera Elementary Compares
See how Ladera Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 66.45% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 64.52% (2024).
Location
300 South C St., Tustin, CA 92780
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ladera Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Barbara Benson Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Red Hill Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Ana), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orchard Hills (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Irvine), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tustin, see our Tustin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pioneer Middle Tustin | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Peters Canyon Elementary Tustin | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Myford Elementary Tustin | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Tustin Memorial Elementary Santa Ana | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Tustin Ranch Elementary Tustin | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Red Hill Elementary Santa Ana | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Joseph of Cupertino Classical Academy Irvine | 1.3 mi | — |
| Arroyo Elementary Tustin | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Hicks Canyon Elementary Tustin | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Orchard Hills Irvine | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| LEPORT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Irvine | 1.5 mi | — |
| Barbara Benson Elementary Tustin | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Grace Global Vision Tustin | 1.5 mi | — |
| Foothill High Tustin | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Red Hill Lutheran Tustin | 1.6 mi | — |
| RED HILL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tustin | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL, NORTH TUSTIN CAMPUS North Tustin | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Fairmont Private Schools Santa Ana | 1.6 mi | — |
| C. E. Utt Middle Tustin | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| LEARNING CORNER North Tustin | 1.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92780 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$98,647
Median Home Value
$832,200
Median Rent
$2,211/mo
Population
54,495
College Educated
35.5%
Homeownership
45.8%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ladera Elementary has a median household income of $98,647. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $832,200, with a median rent of $2,211/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SOULS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South San Francisco, CA | 5.8 |
| BAIS CHAYA MUSHKA Los Angeles, CA | 5.8 |
| Belshaw Elementary Antioch, CA | 5.8 |
| Blanche Charles Elementary Calexico, CA | 5.8 |
| Brookhurst Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 5.8 |
| Buttonwillow Elementary Buttonwillow, CA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ladera Elementary
What grades does Ladera Elementary serve?
Ladera Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Ladera Elementary?
Ladera Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 312 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ladera Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ladera Elementary is 26:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ladera Elementary rank in CA?
Ladera Elementary is ranked #6125 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ladera Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ladera Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Ladera Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ladera Elementary has 67.4% math proficiency and 66.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ladera Elementary a charter school?
No, Ladera Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ladera Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ladera Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ladera Elementary?
26.0% of students at Ladera 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
- High (2,328/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tustin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 312
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 730-7505
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tustin Unified- District Enrollment
- 21,600
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,477
- District Rank
- #22 of 28
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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