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Very Good

#1885 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 20% in state

Moulton Elementary

Elementary School · Capistrano Unified

29851 Highlands Ave., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Enrollment

530

Student-Teacher

24.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,885 of 9,539

In Laguna Niguel

#4 of 9

public schools

In district

#32 of 57

Capistrano Unified

Equity

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Moulton Elementary

7.8/10

Elementary School in Laguna Niguel · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy

Nearby

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Laguna Niguel JR Academy

5.1/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Moulton Elementary

Moulton Elementary is a public elementary school in Laguna Niguel, CA, part of Capistrano Unified. Moulton Elementary serves approximately 530 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Moulton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,885 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Moulton Elementary show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Moulton Elementary runs 24.1:1 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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.4 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,860
Chronic Absenteeism23.6%

Moulton Elementary — Students at Moulton Elementary score 69% 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

27.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 73.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
64%
ELA
71%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
69%
2017
Math
69%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
73%
ELA
79%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
79%
2022
Math
70.7%
ELA
75.1%
2024
Math
69.4%
ELA
68%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.

How Moulton Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
80th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

29851 Highlands Ave., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Moulton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Top of the World Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Laguna Beach), which scores notably higher. Another option is Canyon Vista Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Aliso Viejo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Laguna Niguel Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Laguna Niguel, see our Laguna Niguel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy Laguna Niguel 0.3 mi
LAGUNA NIGUEL JR ACADEMY Laguna Niguel 0.3 mi 5.1
KENSINGTON MONTESSORRI SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 0.3 mi
Community Christian Homeschool Aliso Viejo 1.6 mi
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 1.7 mi 5.6
MONTESSORI OF LAGUNA NIGUEL Laguna Niguel 1.6 mi
KIE Montessori Laguna Niguel 1.7 mi
Wood Canyon Elementary Aliso Viejo 1.8 mi 6.8
Community Roots Academy Laguna Niguel 1.7 mi 7.3
Mission Lutheran School Laguna Niguel 1.8 mi
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts Laguna Niguel 1.7 mi 8.5
ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 2.0 mi 5.7
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 1.8 mi 4.9
Aliso Niguel High Aliso Viejo 2.2 mi 7.9
Hidden Hills Elementary Laguna Niguel 1.9 mi 7.3
Top of the World Elementary Laguna Beach 2.0 mi 9.5
Laguna Niguel Elementary Laguna Niguel 2.2 mi 8.6
Canyon Vista Elementary Aliso Viejo 2.3 mi 8.8
Stratford School Laguna Niguel Laguna Niguel 2.0 mi
MCDOWELL SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 2.1 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92677 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,605

Median Home Value

$1,123,000

Median Rent

$2,819/mo

Population

64,023

College Educated

59.3%

Homeownership

66.5%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

47.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Addison Elementary Palo Alto, CA 7.8
Almond Grove Elementary Oakley, CA 7.8
Andres and Maria Cardenas Elementary Van Nuys, CA 7.8
Bay Farm Alameda, CA 7.8
Ben Lomond Elementary Covina, CA 7.8
Burbank (Luther) Elementary Artesia, CA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Moulton Elementary

What grades does Moulton Elementary serve?

Moulton Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Moulton Elementary?

Moulton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 530 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Moulton Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Moulton Elementary is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Moulton Elementary rank in CA?

Moulton Elementary ranks #1,885 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Moulton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Moulton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Moulton Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Moulton Elementary has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Moulton Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Moulton Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

27.5% of students at Moulton 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
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
530
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.6%

District

Capistrano Unified
District Enrollment
40,836
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,860
District Rank
#32 of 57

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