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
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher
24.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Tijeras Creek Elementary — Students at Tijeras Creek Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 6.7/10.
How Tijeras Creek Elementary Compares
See how Tijeras Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67.97% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67.76% (2024).
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.
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
- Phone
- (949) 234-5300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #46 of 57
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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