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
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Trabuco Mesa Elementary — Students at Trabuco Mesa Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 63% (2019) to 71.03% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 69% (2019) to 74.09% (2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (949) 858-3339
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Saddleback Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 23,199
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,539
- District Rank
- #4 of 33
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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