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Average

#4473 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 47% in state

Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate

Middle School · Saddleback Valley Unified

21931 Alma Aldea, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Enrollment

1,116

Student-Teacher

23.7:1

Score

6.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rancho Santa Margarita

#6 of 8

public schools

California middle schools

#638 of 1,349

In district

#19 of 33

Saddleback Valley Unified

Equity

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate

Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate serves 1,116 students in grades 7 and 8 in Orange County's affluent Rancho Santa Margarita community. This public middle school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.7:1 with 47 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a substantial learning environment for its two-grade span. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #1655 out of 9566 California schools.

Students show solid proficiency rates with 64% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and 61% in mathematics across both grade levels. These results reflect the school's focus on preparing students for high school-level coursework. The surrounding community strongly supports education, with 49% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $141,089.

The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 4.9% and median home values of $819,000 indicate a stable, resource-rich environment that likely contributes to student success. Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate operates in a large suburban setting that offers families the benefits of a well-established residential community with access to Orange County's educational and recreational opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate is 23.7:1, 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 Progress6.1Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.2%
Math vs. State Avg+27.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.9 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,753

Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate — Students at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.5%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 66.1%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 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
63%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
60.9%
ELA
64.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.1/10.

How Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Compares

See how Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

21931 Alma Aldea, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Trabuco Mesa Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Arroyo Vista Middle (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, see our Rancho Santa Margarita schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 0.3 mi 6.1
OCEAN VIEW NPS Rancho Santa Margarita 0.7 mi 5.6
Ocean View Nonpublic School Rancho Santa Margarita 0.7 mi
St. John's Episcopal Rancho Santa Margarita 0.7 mi
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi 6.9
Trabuco Mesa Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 0.9 mi 8.2
Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon 1.1 mi 6.3
Foundations Cognitive Schools Rancho Santa Margarita 1.1 mi
Robinson Elementary Trabuco Canyon 1.1 mi 5.3
LiMai Montessori Academy RSM Rancho Santa Margarita 1.1 mi
LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Rancho Santa Margarita 1.1 mi
Tijeras Creek Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 1.3 mi 6.7
RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi 6.4
Community Christian Schools dba RSM Christian School Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi
DBA MISSION HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi 6.3
Melinda Heights Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 1.8 mi 5.1
Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.0 mi 6.7
Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita 2.0 mi 8.1
SERRA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 2.1 mi 5.1
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School Rancho Santa Margarita 2.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92688 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$142,015

Median Home Value

$857,100

Median Rent

$2,508/mo

Population

43,937

College Educated

48.6%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

39

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate has a median household income of $142,015. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $857,100, with a median rent of $2,508/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% 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
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella, CA 6.5
First Avenue Middle Arcadia, CA 6.5
Francisco Sepulveda Middle North Hills, CA 6.5
G. M. Walters Middle Fremont, CA 6.5
McKee Middle Bakersfield, CA 6.5
Oak Valley Middle San Diego, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate

What grades does Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate serve?

Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate?

Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate has an enrollment of approximately 1,116 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate?

The student-teacher ratio at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate is 23.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate rank in CA?

Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate is ranked #4473 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate's MySchoolScout rating?

Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate has 61.5% math proficiency and 66.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate a charter school?

No, Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate a Title I school?

No, Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate?

32.8% of students at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate 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
70 Very Walkable
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
Average (607/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rancho Santa Margarita). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,116
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.8%
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
#19 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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