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Very Good

#2114 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 22% in state

Portola Hills Elementary

Elementary School · Saddleback Valley Unified

19422 Saddleback Ranch Rd., Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679

Enrollment

758

Student-Teacher

27.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Trabuco Canyon

#1 of 3

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,471 of 5,817

In district

#8 of 33

Saddleback Valley Unified

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Portola Hills Elementary

Portola Hills Elementary serves 758 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in the affluent Trabuco Canyon community of Orange County. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 27.1:1 while delivering strong academic results that place it among California's top-performing elementary schools. The school excels academically, ranking #1399 out of 9,566 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile.

Students demonstrate solid mastery of core subjects, with 77% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 73% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. These achievements contribute to the school's impressive 9.4/10 academic score and overall 7.9/10 MySchoolScout rating. Portola Hills Elementary draws from a well-educated community where 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects the broader prosperity of Orange County's suburban landscape, with a median household income of $206,361 and median home values of $1,148,900. The low poverty rate of 3.5% among the ZIP code's 30,971 residents suggests strong family stability and resources that support student learning. The school operates within Trabuco Canyon's large suburban setting, serving families in this desirable Orange County community known for its family-friendly atmosphere and commitment to educational excellence.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Portola Hills Elementary is 27.1:1, 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 Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75.4%
Math vs. State Avg+27.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+32.6 pts
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
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 Ratio27.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,753

Portola Hills Elementary — Students at Portola Hills Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 73.2%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 75.8%
School
State
45.4%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
73%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
73.3%
ELA
76.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.

How Portola Hills Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

19422 Saddleback Ranch Rd., Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Portola Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI FOOTHILL RANCH (rated 8.4/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Foothill Ranch), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Rancho Santa Margarita), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lake Forest Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Lake Forest), a more accessible option. For more schools in Trabuco Canyon, see our Trabuco Canyon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
HILLSIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Silverado 0.7 mi
Rahma Academy Lake Forest 1.5 mi
HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lake Forest 1.7 mi
Melinda Heights Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 1.8 mi 5.1
Foothill Ranch Elementary Foothill Ranch 1.7 mi 6.2
Trabuco Hills High Mission Viejo 2.0 mi 7.1
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI FOOTHILL RANCH Foothill Ranch 2.1 mi 8.4
Del Lago Elementary Mission Viejo 2.6 mi 3.9
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mission Viejo 2.9 mi 6.9
BELLA MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Lake Forest 2.7 mi
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 3.0 mi 6.9
St. John's Episcopal Rancho Santa Margarita 3.0 mi
Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon 2.8 mi 6.3
Fulbright Montessori Academy Lake Forest 2.8 mi
Community Christian Schools dba RSM Christian School Rancho Santa Margarita 3.2 mi
DBA MISSION HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 3.2 mi 6.3
FULBRIGHT MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lake Forest 2.8 mi
LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Rancho Santa Margarita 3.5 mi
LiMai Montessori Academy RSM Rancho Santa Margarita 3.5 mi
Lake Forest Elementary Lake Forest 3.3 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92679 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$207,652

Median Home Value

$1,242,900

Median Rent

$3,276/mo

Population

30,966

College Educated

61%

Homeownership

89.6%

Avg Commute

31.2 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

45.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Portola Hills Elementary has a median household income of $207,652. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,242,900, with a median rent of $3,276/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA 7.6
Arlington Elementary Torrance, CA 7.6
Baldy View Elementary Upland, CA 7.6
Barnard Elementary San Diego, CA 7.6
Brightwood Elementary Monterey Park, CA 7.6
Bullard Talent Fresno, CA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Portola Hills Elementary

What grades does Portola Hills Elementary serve?

Portola Hills Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Portola Hills Elementary?

Portola Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 758 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Portola Hills Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Portola Hills Elementary is 27.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Portola Hills Elementary rank in CA?

Portola Hills Elementary is ranked #2114 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Portola Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Portola Hills Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Portola Hills Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portola Hills Elementary has 73.2% math proficiency and 75.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Portola Hills Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Portola Hills Elementary a Title I school?

No, Portola Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

20.1% of students at Portola Hills 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (42/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
758
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Saddleback Valley Unified
District Enrollment
23,199
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,539
District Rank
#8 of 33

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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