Very Good
#2370 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 25% 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
7.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,116
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,370 of 9,539
In Rancho Santa Margarita
#4 of 8
public schools
In district
#5 of 33
Saddleback Valley Unified
Equity
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate
Middle School in Rancho Santa Margarita · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cielo Vista Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ocean View Nps
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate is a public middle school in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, part of Saddleback Valley Unified. Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate serves approximately 1,116 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 23.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,370 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 7.2
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate runs 23.7:1 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 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: 56%).
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 28 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: 7.7/10.
How Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Compares
See how Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Arroyo Vista Middle (rated 9.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Trabuco Mesa Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Tijeras Creek Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.6 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Foundations Cognitive Schools Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.1 mi | — |
| Robinson Elementary Trabuco Canyon | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.0 mi | 9.1 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arroyo Seco Junior High Valencia, CA | 7.6 |
| First Avenue Middle Arcadia, CA | 7.6 |
| Freedom Middle Bakersfield, CA | 7.6 |
| Jefferson Leadership Academies Long Beach, CA | 7.6 |
| Joseph Kerr Middle Elk Grove, CA | 7.6 |
| Kastner Intermediate Fresno, CA | 7.6 |
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 ranks #2,370 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate's MySchoolScout rating?
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.1%
- Phone
- (949) 459-8253
Resources & Links
District
Saddleback Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 23,199
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,539
- District Rank
- #5 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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