Very Good
#2250 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 24% 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
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher
24.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,250 of 9,539
In Rancho Santa Margarita
#3 of 8
public schools
In district
#39 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Equity
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Tijeras Creek Elementary
Elementary School in Rancho Santa Margarita · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Foundations Cognitive Schools
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rancho Viejo Montessori School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Tijeras Creek Elementary
Tijeras Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, part of Capistrano Unified. Tijeras Creek Elementary serves approximately 318 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Tijeras Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,250 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Tijeras Creek Elementary show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 7.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Tijeras Creek Elementary runs 24.5:1 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
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 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.
How Tijeras Creek Elementary Compares
See how Tijeras Creek Elementary 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
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 9.0/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Mission Viejo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Trabuco Mesa Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Arroyo Vista Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable 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 | 7.1 |
| Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita | 0.8 mi | 9.1 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Melinda Heights Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon | 2.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Philip J. Reilly Elementary Mission Viejo | 2.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Trabuco Mesa Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
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 |
|---|---|
| A. L. Conner Elementary Orange Cove, CA | 7.6 |
| Abram Agnew Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.6 |
| Birch Grove Intermediate Newark, CA | 7.6 |
| Bowers Elementary Santa Clara, CA | 7.6 |
| Cadwallader Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.6 |
| California Creative Learning Academy Los Angeles, CA | 7.6 |
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 ranks #2,250 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Tijeras Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Tijeras Creek Elementary 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 Tijeras Creek Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Tijeras Creek Elementary has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.0%
- Phone
- (949) 234-5300
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #39 of 57
Other Schools in This District
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