Skip to main content

Excellent

#971 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 10% in state

Truman Benedict Elementary

Elementary School · Capistrano Unified

1251 Sarmentoso, San Clemente, CA 92673

Enrollment

590

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Clemente

#4 of 11

public schools

California elementary schools

#695 of 5,817

In district

#23 of 57

Capistrano Unified

Equity

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Truman Benedict Elementary

Truman Benedict Elementary is a public elementary school in San Clemente, CA, part of the Capistrano Unified. The school serves approximately 590 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 89.8th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 73% proficiency in math, 33 points above the state average and 72% in reading/language arts, 27 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $180,077, where 56% 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 Truman Benedict Elementary is 23.6:1, 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 Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.4%
Math vs. State Avg+28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.6 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,458

Truman Benedict Elementary — Students at Truman Benedict Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.6%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 72.2%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
68%
ELA
71%
2024
Math
73.8%
ELA
72.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.

How Truman Benedict Elementary Compares

See how Truman Benedict Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
90th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

1251 Sarmentoso, San Clemente, CA 92673

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Truman Benedict Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Palisades Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Capistrano Beach), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Harold Ambuehl Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby San Juan Capistrano), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Vista del Mar Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Clemente, see our San Clemente schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Bernice Ayer Middle San Clemente 0.0 mi 8.8
Marblehead Elementary San Clemente 1.1 mi 5.8
Shorecliffs Middle San Clemente 1.7 mi 5.5
San Clemente High San Clemente 1.9 mi 8.3
Vista del Mar Middle San Clemente 1.6 mi 8.1
Vista del Mar Elementary San Clemente 1.6 mi 7.1
THE Togethership San Clemente 1.9 mi
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF SAN CLEMENTE LLC San Clemente 2.0 mi
Clarence Lobo Elementary San Clemente 2.3 mi 6.8
San Juan Hills High San Juan Capistrano 2.5 mi 8.4
Las Palmas Elementary San Clemente 2.6 mi 6.3
St. Michael's Christian Academy San Clemente 2.6 mi
ST MICHAELS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Clemente 2.6 mi
OUR LADY OF FATIMA SCHOOL San Clemente 2.7 mi 6.4
Palisades Elementary Capistrano Beach 2.4 mi 9.1
Harold Ambuehl Elementary San Juan Capistrano 2.8 mi 8.5
ST MARGARET S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano 3.0 mi 3.8
St. Margaret's Episcopal School San Juan Capistrano 3.0 mi
THE JOHNSON ACADEMY San Juan Capistrano 2.9 mi 5.2
FOUNDATIONS COGNITIVE SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano 2.9 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92673 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$180,077

Median Home Value

$1,207,600

Median Rent

$3,412/mo

Population

29,828

College Educated

55.7%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

42.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Truman Benedict Elementary has a median household income of $180,077. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,207,600, with a median rent of $3,412/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Alta Loma Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.2
Andres and Maria Cardenas Elementary Van Nuys, CA 8.2
Arbolita Elementary La Habra, CA 8.2
Bellingham Elementary North Hollywood, CA 8.2
Berlyn Elementary Ontario, CA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Truman Benedict Elementary

What grades does Truman Benedict Elementary serve?

Truman Benedict Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Truman Benedict Elementary?

Truman Benedict Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 590 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Truman Benedict Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Truman Benedict Elementary is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Truman Benedict Elementary rank in CA?

Truman Benedict Elementary is ranked #971 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Truman Benedict Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Truman Benedict 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 Truman Benedict Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Truman Benedict Elementary has 72.6% math proficiency and 72.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Truman Benedict Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Truman Benedict Elementary a Title I school?

No, Truman Benedict Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Truman Benedict Elementary?

18.8% of students at Truman Benedict 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,467/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Clemente). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
590
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Capistrano Unified
District Enrollment
40,836
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,860
District Rank
#23 of 57

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

Related reading

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.