Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Math vs. State Avg+20.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,448

Ladera Elementary — Students at Ladera Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.4%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 66.1%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
66.3%
ELA
64.6%

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.

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tustin Unified
District Enrollment
21,600
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,477
District Rank
#22 of 28

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.