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Very Good

#2373 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 25% in state

Trabuco Mesa Elementary

Elementary School · Saddleback Valley Unified

21301 Avenida de los Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Enrollment

630

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#2,373 of 9,539

In Rancho Santa Margarita

#5 of 8

public schools

In district

#8 of 33

Saddleback Valley Unified

Equity

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Trabuco Mesa Elementary

7.6/10

Elementary School in Rancho Santa Margarita · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Robinson Elementary

5.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cielo Vista Elementary

5.6/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Trabuco Mesa Elementary

Trabuco Mesa Elementary is a public elementary school in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, part of Saddleback Valley Unified. Trabuco Mesa Elementary serves approximately 630 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 25.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Trabuco Mesa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,373 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Trabuco Mesa Elementary show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.2
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Trabuco Mesa Elementary runs 25.2:1 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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.3 pts
Overall Proficiency73% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,539
Chronic Absenteeism12.5%

Trabuco Mesa Elementary — Students at Trabuco Mesa Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 70.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 75.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
63%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2017
Math
64%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
63%
ELA
69%
2019
Math
63%
ELA
69%
2022
Math
65.8%
ELA
70.7%
2024
Math
71.4%
ELA
74.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Trabuco Mesa Elementary Compares

See how Trabuco Mesa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
75th percentile in CA
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

21301 Avenida de los Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Trabuco Mesa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tijeras Creek Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Arroyo Vista Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, see our Rancho Santa Margarita schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Robinson Elementary Trabuco Canyon 0.4 mi 5.9
Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 0.6 mi 5.6
Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon 0.7 mi 6.0
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita 0.9 mi 7.6
St. John's Episcopal Rancho Santa Margarita 1.4 mi
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 1.4 mi 6.9
OCEAN VIEW NPS Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi 5.6
Ocean View Nonpublic School Rancho Santa Margarita 1.6 mi
Foundations Cognitive Schools Rancho Santa Margarita 1.9 mi
LiMai Montessori Academy RSM Rancho Santa Margarita 1.9 mi
LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Rancho Santa Margarita 1.9 mi
Tijeras Creek Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.2 mi 7.6
Melinda Heights Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.0 mi 5.9
Community Christian Schools dba RSM Christian School Rancho Santa Margarita 2.4 mi
DBA MISSION HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 2.4 mi 6.3
RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 2.5 mi 6.4
Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.9 mi 7.1
Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita 2.9 mi 9.1
SERRA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rancho Santa Margarita 3.0 mi 5.1
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School Rancho Santa Margarita 3.0 mi

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
Abraham Lincoln Elementary La Crescenta, CA 7.6
Abram Agnew Elementary San Jose, CA 7.6
Agnes L. Smith Elementary Huntington Beach, CA 7.6
Alta Vista Elementary Los Gatos, CA 7.6
Anthony Spangler Elementary Milpitas, CA 7.6
Arma J. Shull Elementary San Dimas, CA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Trabuco Mesa Elementary

What grades does Trabuco Mesa Elementary serve?

Trabuco Mesa Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Trabuco Mesa Elementary?

Trabuco Mesa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 630 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Trabuco Mesa Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Trabuco Mesa Elementary is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Trabuco Mesa Elementary rank in CA?

Trabuco Mesa Elementary ranks #2,373 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Trabuco Mesa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Trabuco Mesa 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 Trabuco Mesa Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Trabuco Mesa Elementary has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Trabuco Mesa Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Trabuco Mesa Elementary a Title I school?

No, Trabuco Mesa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Trabuco Mesa Elementary?

33.0% of students at Trabuco Mesa 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

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
68 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.5%

District

Saddleback Valley Unified
District Enrollment
23,199
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,539
District Rank
#8 of 33

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