Very Good
#1700 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 18% in state
Top of the World Elementary
Elementary School · Laguna Beach Unified
21601 Tree Top Ln., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Enrollment
552
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
552
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Laguna Beach
#2 of 4
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,197 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 4
Laguna Beach Unified
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Top of the World Elementary
Top of the World Elementary serves 552 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the scenic coastal community of Laguna Beach, California. This highly regarded public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers supporting its academic mission. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranking 89th among California's 9,566 elementary schools, placing it in the 99th percentile statewide.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 80% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an impressive 82% reaching proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. Top of the World Elementary benefits from its location in an affluent and highly educated community where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in the 92651 ZIP code has a median household income of $148,381 and a low poverty rate of just 5.3%, factors that support strong family engagement in education.
The school operates within Laguna Beach's large suburban setting, where families enjoy both the natural beauty of the coastal environment and proximity to cultural amenities. This combination of academic excellence and prime Orange County location makes Top of the World Elementary a standout choice for families seeking top-tier elementary education in one of California's most desirable coastal communities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Top of the World Elementary is 20.4:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Top of the World Elementary — Students at Top of the World Elementary score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.5%
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: 6.3/10.
How Top of the World Elementary Compares
See how Top of the World Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 81.49% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 80.43% (2024).
Location
21601 Tree Top Ln., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Top of the World Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Canyon Vista Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Aliso Viejo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Oak Grove Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Aliso Viejo), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Wood Canyon Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Aliso Viejo), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Laguna Beach, see our Laguna Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thurston Middle Laguna Beach | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Canyon Vista Elementary Aliso Viejo | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Laguna Beach High Laguna Beach | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Anneliese Schools Laguna Beach | 1.4 mi | — |
| ANNELIESE SCHOOL Laguna Beach | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| B-Greatness LLC Laguna Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
| BLACKWELL LLC Laguna Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
| MENTAL UNIVERSE LLC Laguna Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
| Iugo World Academy Laguna Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAGUNA BEACH Laguna Beach | 1.6 mi | — |
| ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Community Christian Homeschool Aliso Viejo | 1.6 mi | — |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Aliso Viejo | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| VanDamme Academy Aliso Viejo | 1.9 mi | — |
| THE DISCOVERY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Aliso Viejo | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| VANDAMME ACADEMY Aliso Viejo | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Wood Canyon Elementary Aliso Viejo | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Moulton Elementary Laguna Niguel | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Aliso Viejo | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy Laguna Niguel | 2.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92651 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$143,569
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$2,812/mo
Population
23,477
College Educated
67.5%
Homeownership
65.2%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Median Age
52.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Top of the World Elementary has a median household income of $143,569. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $2,812/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Abby Reinke Elementary Temecula, CA | 7.8 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Cupertino, CA | 7.8 |
| Anaheim Hills Elementary Anaheim, CA | 7.8 |
| Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad, CA | 7.8 |
| Bellevue Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 7.8 |
| Benjamin Bubb Elementary Mountain View, CA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Top of the World Elementary
What grades does Top of the World Elementary serve?
Top of the World Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Top of the World Elementary?
Top of the World Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 552 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Top of the World Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Top of the World Elementary is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Top of the World Elementary rank in CA?
Top of the World Elementary is ranked #1700 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Top of the World Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Top of the World Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Top of the World Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Top of the World Elementary has 82.2% math proficiency and 81.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Top of the World Elementary a charter school?
No, Top of the World Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Top of the World Elementary a Title I school?
No, Top of the World Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Top of the World Elementary?
14.5% of students at Top of the World 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 11 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 4 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,117/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laguna Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 552
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 14.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 497-7790
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laguna Beach Unified- District Enrollment
- 2,386
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,416
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.