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#1527 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Serra Catholic School

Elementary School

23652 ANTONIO PKWY, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Rancho Santa Margarita. Learn more

Enrollment

949

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Rancho Santa Margarita

#5 of 5

public schools

California elementary schools

#928 of 1,102

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Serra Catholic School

Serra Catholic School serves students from preschool through eighth grade in Rancho Santa Margarita, a large suburban community in Orange County. With an enrollment of 949 students and 58 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.4 to 1, offering a balanced classroom environment for learners across its span of grades. The school holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks at the 22nd percentile among California schools, placing it at #1400 out of 1790 statewide.

This positioning suggests the school is still developing its academic strengths and represents an opportunity for growth in student achievement. Serra Catholic School's location in a large suburban setting provides families with a neighborhood environment that supports school connectivity and community involvement. The school's extended grade range from early childhood through middle school creates continuity for families seeking elementary education in the area.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Serra Catholic School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Serra Catholic School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
This School
vs
24.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
949
This School
vs
584
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.1
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 63.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 17.4% vs 0%
Asian 8.1% vs 0%
Black 0.8% vs 0%
Serra Catholic School Rancho Santa Margarita Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Serra Catholic School (this school) 5.1
Arroyo Vista Middle 8.1
Arroyo Vista Elementary 6.7
Tijeras Creek Elementary 6.7
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate 6.5
Cielo Vista Elementary 6.1
Las Flores Elementary 8.2
Melinda Heights Elementary 5.1
Trabuco Mesa Elementary 8.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 16.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 55%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 949
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 63.8%
Hispanic 17.4%
Two or More 9.7%
Asian 8.1%
Black 0.8%
Pacific Islander 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

23652 ANTONIO PKWY, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Serra Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Philip J. Reilly Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Mission Viejo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Las Flores Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, see our Rancho Santa Margarita schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School Rancho Santa Margarita 0.0 mi
Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 0.4 mi 6.7
Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita 0.4 mi 8.1
RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 0.6 mi 6.4
Tijeras Creek Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi 6.7
DBA MISSION HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 1.1 mi 6.3
Community Christian Schools dba RSM Christian School Rancho Santa Margarita 1.1 mi
Foundations Cognitive Schools Rancho Santa Margarita 1.2 mi
LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Rancho Santa Margarita 1.2 mi
LiMai Montessori Academy RSM Rancho Santa Margarita 1.2 mi
Ocean View Nonpublic School Rancho Santa Margarita 1.4 mi
OCEAN VIEW NPS Rancho Santa Margarita 1.5 mi 5.6
Philip J. Reilly Elementary Mission Viejo 1.3 mi 9.2
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 1.8 mi 6.9
St. John's Episcopal Rancho Santa Margarita 1.9 mi
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita 2.1 mi 6.5
Las Flores Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.4 mi 8.2
Las Flores Middle Las Flores 2.4 mi 8.6
Tesoro High Las Flores 2.5 mi 7.9
Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.4 mi 6.1

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 Serra Catholic School 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
Antelope Hills Elementary Murrieta, CA 5.1
Antelope Meadows Elementary Antelope, CA 5.1
Barton (Clara) Elementary Anaheim, CA 5.1
Bessie E. Owens Elementary Bakersfield, CA 5.1
Bonsall Elementary Bonsall, CA 5.1
Charter School of Morgan Hill Morgan Hill, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Serra Catholic School

What grades does Serra Catholic School serve?

Serra Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Serra Catholic School?

Serra Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 949 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Serra Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at Serra Catholic School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Serra Catholic School rank in CA?

Serra Catholic School is ranked #1527 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Serra Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

Serra Catholic School has a composite rating of 5.1 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.

Is Serra Catholic School a private school?

Yes, Serra Catholic School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Serra Catholic School a religious school?

Serra Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat 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 PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
949
Gender Split
51% M / 49% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
ORANGE
Data Year
2022–2023

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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