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
Enrollment
1,116
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate — Students at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 63% (2019) to 61% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 64.17% (2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (949) 459-8253
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Saddleback Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 23,199
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,539
- District Rank
- #19 of 33
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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