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
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
27.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Morse Elementary — Students at Morse Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 48.72% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 64.8% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (714) 524-6300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,705
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,626
- District Rank
- #8 of 34
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
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