Average
#4472 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 47% in state
Lake Forest Elementary
Elementary School · Saddleback Valley Unified
21801 Pittsford Dr., Lake Forest, CA 92630
Enrollment
688
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
688
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Forest
#5 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,794 of 5,817
In district
#18 of 33
Saddleback Valley Unified
Equity
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Lake Forest Elementary
Lake Forest Elementary is a regular public elementary school nestled in the heart of Lake Forest, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, this bustling campus houses an enrollment of 688 students and employs 30 full-time teachers. The student-to-teacher ratio stands at 22.9:1, fostering a supportive learning environment where each child can receive individual attention.
Lake Forest Elementary has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks 65th percentile among California schools with its state ranking of #3340 out of 9566 institutions. Academically, the school's performance in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading shows that 51% of students are proficient or above grade level, while in Math, 48% of students meet proficiency standards. Located in a large suburban area, Lake Forest Elementary benefits from its proximity to parks, libraries, and other community resources.
The school is part of a vibrant neighborhood where families often engage in local events and activities together.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest Elementary is 22.9:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Lake Forest Elementary — Students at Lake Forest Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 6.3/10.
How Lake Forest Elementary Compares
See how Lake Forest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 47.27% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 49.72% (2024).
Location
21801 Pittsford Dr., Lake Forest, CA 92630
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lake Forest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glen Yermo Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Mission Viejo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Aliso Viejo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Forest, see our Lake Forest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Lake Forest | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| LAKE FOREST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lake Forest | 0.9 mi | — |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mission Viejo | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Del Lago Elementary Mission Viejo | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Glen Yermo Elementary Mission Viejo | 1.1 mi | 8.6 |
| VILLAGE MONTESSORI CENTER Mission Viejo | 1.1 mi | — |
| BELLA MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Lake Forest | 1.3 mi | — |
| El Toro High Lake Forest | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| La Madera Elementary Lake Forest | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County Aliso Viejo | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Rancho Canada Elementary Lake Forest | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Fusion Academy Mission Viejo Mission Viejo | 1.5 mi | — |
| Fulbright Montessori Academy Lake Forest | 1.5 mi | — |
| FULBRIGHT MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lake Forest | 1.5 mi | — |
| Trabuco Hills High Mission Viejo | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| PILLARS ACADEMY Mission Viejo | 1.7 mi | — |
| Pillars Academy Mission Viejo | 1.7 mi | — |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lake Forest | 1.6 mi | — |
| Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary Lake Forest | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Silverado High Mission Viejo | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92630 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$119,984
Median Home Value
$858,900
Median Rent
$2,614/mo
Population
66,461
College Educated
47%
Homeownership
68.1%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lake Forest Elementary has a median household income of $119,984. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $858,900, with a median rent of $2,614/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Accelerated Los Angeles, CA | 6.5 |
| Alicante Avenue Elementary Lamont, CA | 6.5 |
| Arroyo Vista Elementary South Pasadena, CA | 6.5 |
| Audubon K-8 San Diego, CA | 6.5 |
| Aviation Elementary Hawthorne, CA | 6.5 |
| Buena Vista Elementary Palmdale, CA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lake Forest Elementary
What grades does Lake Forest Elementary serve?
Lake Forest Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Lake Forest Elementary?
Lake Forest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 688 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest Elementary is 22.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lake Forest Elementary rank in CA?
Lake Forest Elementary is ranked #4472 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Lake Forest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Lake Forest Elementary has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Lake Forest Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Forest Elementary has 47.5% math proficiency and 50.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lake Forest Elementary a charter school?
No, Lake Forest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lake Forest Elementary a Title I school?
No, Lake Forest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lake Forest Elementary?
55.5% of students at Lake Forest 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 (984/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Forest). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 688
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 830-9945
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Saddleback Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 23,199
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,539
- District Rank
- #18 of 33
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.