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Excellent

#1084 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 11% 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

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rancho Santa Margarita

#2 of 8

public schools

California elementary schools

#786 of 5,817

In district

#4 of 33

Saddleback Valley Unified

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Trabuco Mesa Elementary

Trabuco Mesa Elementary is a public elementary school in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, part of the Saddleback Valley Unified. The school serves approximately 630 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 25.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.6th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 70% proficiency in math, 32 points above the state average and 74% in reading/language arts, 28 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $142,015, where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Trabuco Mesa Elementary is 25.2:1, 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 Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.1%
Math vs. State Avg+25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.3 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+16.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,753

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 70.0%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 73.8%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
63%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
71.4%
ELA
74.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How Trabuco Mesa Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.2/10
89th percentile in CA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

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. ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Tijeras Creek Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Arroyo Vista Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 5.3
Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 0.6 mi 6.1
Trabuco Elementary Trabuco Canyon 0.7 mi 6.3
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita 0.9 mi 6.5
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 6.7
Melinda Heights Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita 2.0 mi 5.1
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 6.7
Arroyo Vista Middle Rancho Santa Margarita 2.9 mi 8.1
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Trabuco Mesa 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
Alta California Elementary Panorama City, CA 8.2
Andres and Maria Cardenas Elementary Van Nuys, CA 8.2
Bellingham Elementary North Hollywood, CA 8.2
Berlyn Elementary Ontario, CA 8.2
Bollinger Canyon Elementary San Ramon, CA 8.2
Bonita Canyon Elementary Irvine, CA 8.2

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 is ranked #1084 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Trabuco Mesa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Trabuco Mesa Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Trabuco Mesa Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Trabuco Mesa Elementary has 70.0% math proficiency and 73.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
Average (607/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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