Excellent
#152 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 2% in state
Palisades Elementary
Elementary School · Capistrano Unified
26462 Via Sacramento, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#126 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Palisades Elementary
Palisades Elementary is a regular public school serving 336 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Capistrano Beach, California. It earns a 9.1 composite score — rated Exceptional — with a 9.0 in academics and a 9.8 in growth. That growth score is the standout number: students here are advancing faster than the vast majority of California peers, a sign of effective instruction sustained across grade levels.
The statewide rankings sharpen the picture. Palisades sits at #152 among 9,533 public schools in California and ranks #2 out of 57 schools in Capistrano Unified — placing it in the top 2% statewide. For parents comparing elementary options within the district, nearly every other school falls well below this performance level.
Class sizes average 19.8 students per teacher on this 336-student campus. Palisades is a regular public school with no selective admissions process — the scores reflect what it delivers to its standard enrollment. Both the academic and growth ratings are rare at this level.
Parents in Capistrano Beach are looking at one of the most consistently high-performing public elementaries in California.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Palisades Elementary — Students at Palisades Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 9.8/10.
How Palisades Elementary Compares
See how Palisades Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 58.33% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 66.43% (2024).
Location
26462 Via Sacramento, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palisades Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Richard Henry Dana Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Dana Point), with a comparable rating. Another option is Del Obispo Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby San Juan Capistrano), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Truman Benedict Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby San Clemente), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Capistrano Beach, see our Capistrano Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| California Connections Academy Southern California San Juan Capistrano | 1.2 mi | 2.7 |
| West River Academy Dana Point | 1.2 mi | — |
| Capistrano Home/Virtual San Juan Capistrano | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| California Preparatory Academy San Juan Capistrano | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| ST EDWARD PARISH SCHOOL Dana Point | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ST EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PARISH SCHOOL Dana Point | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| St. Edward the Confessor Parish School Dana Point | 1.5 mi | — |
| Del Obispo Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Marco Forster Middle San Juan Capistrano | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Kinoshita Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Dana Hills High Dana Point | 2.2 mi | 8.9 |
| FOUNDATIONS COGNITIVE SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Shorecliffs Middle San Clemente | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano Covina | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| THE JOHNSON ACADEMY San Juan Capistrano | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Richard Henry Dana Elementary Dana Point | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Truman Benedict Elementary San Clemente | 2.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Bernice Ayer Middle San Clemente | 2.4 mi | 8.8 |
| MISSION BASILICA SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92624 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$125,377
Median Home Value
$1,142,400
Median Rent
$2,786/mo
Population
6,685
College Educated
49.7%
Homeownership
60.4%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Median Age
46.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palisades Elementary has a median household income of $125,377. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,142,400, with a median rent of $2,786/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Costa Mesa, CA | 9.1 |
| Arroyo Seco Museum Science Los Angeles, CA | 9.1 |
| Atwater Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 9.1 |
| Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier Berkeley, CA | 9.1 |
| Charles White Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 9.1 |
| Cragmont Elementary Berkeley, CA | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palisades Elementary
What grades does Palisades Elementary serve?
Palisades Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Palisades Elementary?
Palisades Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palisades Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Palisades Elementary is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palisades Elementary rank in CA?
Palisades Elementary is ranked #152 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Palisades Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Palisades Elementary has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Palisades Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palisades Elementary has 56.4% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palisades Elementary a charter school?
No, Palisades Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palisades Elementary a Title I school?
No, Palisades Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palisades Elementary?
44.3% of students at Palisades 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
- Walk Score
- 46 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 27 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 50 Bikeable
- County Safety
- Low (42/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 336
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 496-5942
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #2 of 57
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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- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
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