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Average

#3913 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 41% in state

Tijeras Creek Elementary

Elementary School · Capistrano Unified

23072 Avenida Empresa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Enrollment

318

Student-Teacher

24.5:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rancho Santa Margarita

#5 of 8

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,502 of 5,817

In district

#46 of 57

Capistrano Unified

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Tijeras Creek Elementary

Tijeras Creek Elementary serves 318 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Rancho Santa Margarita, a well-established community in Orange County. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.5:1, providing a structured learning environment for young learners. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking in the 85th percentile statewide at #1464 out of 9566 California elementary schools.

Students achieve solid proficiency rates of 68% in both English Language Arts and Mathematics, reflecting consistent academic achievement across core subjects. Located at 23072 Avenida Empresa, Tijeras Creek Elementary draws from an affluent neighborhood where the median household income reaches $141,089 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The community's low poverty rate of 4.9% and median home values of $819,000 reflect the area's economic stability and educational priorities.

The school operates as a regular public elementary school within Orange County's educational landscape, serving families who value academic excellence and community investment. Tijeras Creek Elementary sits in the heart of Rancho Santa Margarita's large suburban setting, where tree-lined streets and family-oriented neighborhoods create an ideal backdrop for elementary education.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Tijeras Creek Elementary is 24.5:1, 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 Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.8%
Math vs. State Avg+22.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,458

Tijeras Creek Elementary — Students at Tijeras Creek Elementary score 68% 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

19.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 69.1%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 69.2%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 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
72%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
68.4%
ELA
68.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.

How Tijeras Creek Elementary Compares

See how Tijeras Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

23072 Avenida Empresa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tijeras Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Philip J. Reilly Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Mission Viejo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Trabuco Mesa Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 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 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Foundations Cognitive Schools Rancho Santa Margarita 0.5 mi
RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 0.4 mi 6.4
LiMai Montessori Academy RSM Rancho Santa Margarita 0.5 mi
LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Rancho Santa Margarita 0.5 mi
Ocean View Nonpublic School Rancho Santa Margarita 0.7 mi
OCEAN VIEW NPS Rancho Santa Margarita 0.7 mi 5.6
SERRA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi 5.1
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi
Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi 6.7
Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi 8.1
Community Christian Schools dba RSM Christian School Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi
DBA MISSION HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 0.8 mi 6.3
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 1.1 mi 6.9
St. John's Episcopal Rancho Santa Margarita 1.2 mi
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita 1.3 mi 6.5
Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi 6.1
Melinda Heights Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.2 mi 5.1
Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon 2.3 mi 6.3
Philip J. Reilly Elementary Mission Viejo 2.0 mi 9.2
Trabuco Mesa Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.2 mi 8.2

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 Tijeras Creek Elementary 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
ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL DAY SCHOOL Northridge, CA 6.7
Acacia Magnet School for Enriched Learning Thousand Oaks, CA 6.7
Antioch Charter Academy II Antioch, CA 6.7
Arrowhead Elementary San Bernardino, CA 6.7
BRISKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 6.7
Bandini Street Elementary San Pedro, CA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tijeras Creek Elementary

What grades does Tijeras Creek Elementary serve?

Tijeras Creek Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Tijeras Creek Elementary?

Tijeras Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 318 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tijeras Creek Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Tijeras Creek Elementary is 24.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tijeras Creek Elementary rank in CA?

Tijeras Creek Elementary is ranked #3913 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Tijeras Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Tijeras Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Tijeras Creek Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tijeras Creek Elementary has 69.1% math proficiency and 69.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tijeras Creek Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Tijeras Creek Elementary a Title I school?

No, Tijeras Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tijeras Creek Elementary?

19.2% of students at Tijeras Creek 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

City Safety
Average (607/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Capistrano Unified
District Enrollment
40,836
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,860
District Rank
#46 of 57

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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