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Excellent

#1401 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 15% in state

Morse Elementary

Elementary School · Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870

Enrollment

382

Student-Teacher

27.3:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Placentia

#7 of 30

public schools

California elementary schools

#996 of 5,817

In district

#8 of 34

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Morse Elementary

Morse Elementary serves 382 students from kindergarten through sixth grade in Placentia, California, operating as a regular public school with 14 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 27.3:1. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking in the 74th percentile statewide at #2540 out of 9,566 California elementary schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. Academically, Morse Elementary demonstrates solid performance with 64% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 49% reach proficiency in mathematics.

These results reflect the school's commitment to student achievement and provide a foundation for continued academic growth. The school draws its student body from the surrounding 92870 zip code area, a well-established community where families enjoy a median household income of $106,298 and median home values of $835,300. The neighborhood reflects a strong educational foundation, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 8.6%.

Located at 1301 East Orangethorpe Avenue, Morse Elementary sits within Orange County's large suburban landscape, serving families in a stable, education-focused community that values academic achievement and provides students with the resources they need to succeed.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Morse Elementary is 27.3:1, 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 Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.8%
Math vs. State Avg+3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+20.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,001

Morse Elementary — Students at Morse Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.2%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 62.4%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
49.4%
ELA
64.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.

How Morse Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in CA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Morse Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Golden Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Brookhaven Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Rose Drive Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Placentia, see our Placentia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
PLACENTIA TOWNE & COUNTRY EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Placentia 0.5 mi
El Dorado High Placentia 0.5 mi 7.2
Charles Wagner Elementary Placentia 0.6 mi 6.3
Kraemer Middle Placentia 0.7 mi 6.7
Topaz Elementary Placentia 0.6 mi 6.9
Brookhaven Elementary Placentia 0.8 mi 8.0
Valencia High Placentia 0.7 mi 8.4
John O. Tynes Elementary Placentia 0.8 mi 6.5
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Placentia 0.7 mi 7.3
Ruby Drive Elementary Placentia 0.9 mi 6.7
Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle Placentia 1.1 mi 7.2
Royal Homeschool Academy Placentia 1.2 mi
Sierra Vista Elementary Placentia 1.1 mi 6.1
Parkview Placentia 1.2 mi 4.9
George Key Placentia 1.3 mi 6.3
Golden Elementary Placentia 1.3 mi 8.2
Rose Drive Elementary Placentia 1.2 mi 7.8
Star Homeschool Academy Placentia 1.2 mi
FRIENDS CHRISTIAN Yorba Linda 1.4 mi 5.8
Discovery Depot Child Care Center Yorba Linda 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92870 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,575

Median Home Value

$871,000

Median Rent

$2,267/mo

Population

52,384

College Educated

43.7%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

38

Community Profile

The community surrounding Morse Elementary has a median household income of $110,575. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $871,000, with a median rent of $2,267/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Anna A. Borba Fundamental Elementary Chino, CA 8.0
Betty Plasencia Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.0
Birdielee V. Bright Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.0
Bixby Elementary Hacienda Heights, CA 8.0
Brookhaven Elementary Placentia, CA 8.0
Capistrano Avenue Elementary West Hills, CA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Morse Elementary

What grades does Morse Elementary serve?

Morse Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Morse Elementary?

Morse Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 382 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Morse Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Morse Elementary is 27.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Morse Elementary rank in CA?

Morse Elementary is ranked #1401 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Morse Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Morse Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Morse Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Morse Elementary has 48.2% math proficiency and 62.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Morse Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Morse Elementary a Title I school?

No, Morse Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

68.1% of students at Morse 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
75 Very Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,839/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Placentia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified
District Enrollment
22,705
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,626
District Rank
#8 of 34

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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