Average
#5719 of 9,539 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
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
950
Student-Teacher
29.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,719 of 9,539
In Rancho Santa Margarita
#7 of 8
public schools
In district
#24 of 33
Saddleback Valley Unified
Equity
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Melinda Heights Elementary
Elementary School in Rancho Santa Margarita · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hillside Montessori School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Johns Episcopal School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Melinda Heights Elementary
Melinda Heights Elementary is a public elementary school in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, part of Saddleback Valley Unified. Melinda Heights Elementary serves approximately 950 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 29.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Melinda Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #5,719 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Melinda Heights Elementary show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- District avg 6.2
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Melinda Heights Elementary runs 29.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Melinda Heights Elementary — Students at Melinda Heights Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 5.7/10.
How Melinda Heights Elementary Compares
See how Melinda Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Tijeras Creek Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Trabuco Mesa Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Portola Hills Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Trabuco Canyon), 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 | 6.0 |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Tijeras Creek Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.4 mi | 9.1 |
| Trabuco Mesa Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Trabuco Hills High Mission Viejo | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Antelope Hills Elementary Murrieta, CA | 5.9 |
| Arthur C. Butler Elementary Elk Grove, CA | 5.9 |
| Bear Valley Elementary Moreno Valley, CA | 5.9 |
| Breeze Hill Elementary Vista, CA | 5.9 |
| Cortez Elementary Pomona, CA | 5.9 |
| Dent Elementary Escalon, CA | 5.9 |
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 ranks #5,719 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Melinda Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Melinda Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Melinda Heights Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Melinda Heights Elementary has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.8%
- Phone
- (949) 888-7311
Resources & Links
District
Saddleback Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 23,199
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,539
- District Rank
- #24 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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