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Average

#7466 of 9,533 schools in CA

Melinda Heights Elementary

Elementary School · Saddleback Valley Unified

21001 Rancho Trabuco, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Enrollment

950

Student-Teacher

29.7:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rancho Santa Margarita

#8 of 8

public schools

California elementary schools

#4,420 of 5,817

In district

#31 of 33

Saddleback Valley Unified

Equity

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Melinda Heights Elementary

Melinda Heights Elementary serves 950 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Rancho Santa Margarita, situated in Orange County's affluent suburban landscape. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 29.7 to 1, which is higher than many elementary schools but reflects the demands of a large enrollment. Academically, Melinda Heights performs well above average, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 72nd percentile among California's elementary schools at #2,696 out of 9,566.

The school demonstrates solid achievement with 61% of students performing proficiently or above in English Language Arts and 60% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across all grade levels. The school draws from a well-educated and economically stable community in the 92688 ZIP code, where nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $141,089. With a low poverty rate of just 4.9% and median home values around $819,000, families in this area typically prioritize education and community involvement.

Melinda Heights Elementary operates within Rancho Santa Margarita's carefully planned suburban environment, where tree-lined streets and family-oriented neighborhoods create an ideal setting for elementary education.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Melinda Heights Elementary is 29.7:1, 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 Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.1%
Math vs. State Avg+14.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.3 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio29.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,753

Melinda Heights Elementary — Students at Melinda Heights Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 62.9%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 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
66%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
60.3%
ELA
61.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.

How Melinda Heights Elementary Compares

See how Melinda Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
22th percentile in CA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
30:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

21001 Rancho Trabuco, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Melinda Heights Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Trabuco Mesa Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Portola Hills Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Trabuco Canyon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, see our Rancho Santa Margarita schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
HILLSIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Silverado 1.2 mi
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 1.2 mi 6.9
St. John's Episcopal Rancho Santa Margarita 1.2 mi
Community Christian Schools dba RSM Christian School Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi
DBA MISSION HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi 6.3
Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon 1.4 mi 6.3
LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Rancho Santa Margarita 1.7 mi
LiMai Montessori Academy RSM Rancho Santa Margarita 1.7 mi
OCEAN VIEW NPS Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi 5.6
Ocean View Nonpublic School Rancho Santa Margarita 1.7 mi
Foundations Cognitive Schools Rancho Santa Margarita 1.7 mi
Portola Hills Elementary Trabuco Canyon 1.8 mi 7.6
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita 1.8 mi 6.5
Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 1.8 mi 6.1
RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 2.1 mi 6.4
Tijeras Creek Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.2 mi 6.7
Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.4 mi 6.7
Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita 2.4 mi 8.1
Trabuco Mesa Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.0 mi 8.2
Trabuco Hills High Mission Viejo 2.1 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92688 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$142,015

Median Home Value

$857,100

Median Rent

$2,508/mo

Population

43,937

College Educated

48.6%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

39

Community Profile

The community surrounding Melinda Heights Elementary has a median household income of $142,015. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $857,100, with a median rent of $2,508/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Antelope Hills Elementary Murrieta, CA 5.1
Antelope Meadows Elementary Antelope, CA 5.1
Barton (Clara) Elementary Anaheim, CA 5.1
Bessie E. Owens Elementary Bakersfield, CA 5.1
Bonsall Elementary Bonsall, CA 5.1
Charter School of Morgan Hill Morgan Hill, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Melinda Heights Elementary

What grades does Melinda Heights Elementary serve?

Melinda Heights Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Melinda Heights Elementary?

Melinda Heights Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 950 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Melinda Heights Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Melinda Heights Elementary is 29.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Melinda Heights Elementary rank in CA?

Melinda Heights Elementary is ranked #7466 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Melinda Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Melinda Heights Elementary has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Melinda Heights Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Melinda Heights Elementary has 61.2% math proficiency and 62.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Melinda Heights Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Melinda Heights Elementary a Title I school?

No, Melinda Heights Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Melinda Heights Elementary?

28.6% of students at Melinda Heights 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (607/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rancho Santa Margarita). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
950
Student-Teacher Ratio
29.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Saddleback Valley Unified
District Enrollment
23,199
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,539
District Rank
#31 of 33

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

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