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Average

#3858 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 40% in state

Wood Canyon Elementary

Elementary School · Capistrano Unified

23431 Knollwood, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Enrollment

410

Student-Teacher

24.1:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,858 of 9,539

In Aliso Viejo

#10 of 10

public schools

In district

#48 of 57

Capistrano Unified

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Wood Canyon Elementary

6.8/10

Elementary School in Aliso Viejo · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Mary's School

5.6/10

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

Community Christian Homeschool

Nearby

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

About Wood Canyon Elementary

Wood Canyon Elementary is a public elementary school in Aliso Viejo, CA, part of Capistrano Unified. Wood Canyon Elementary serves approximately 410 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Wood Canyon Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,858 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Wood Canyon Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Wood Canyon Elementary runs 24.1:1 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.

30% of students at Wood Canyon Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+2.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,860
Chronic Absenteeism30.2%

Wood Canyon Elementary — Students at Wood Canyon Elementary score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
57%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
51%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
49.9%
2024
Math
47.9%
ELA
49.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.

How Wood Canyon Elementary Compares

See how Wood Canyon Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

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

23431 Knollwood, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wood Canyon Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Canyon Vista Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Laguna Niguel Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Laguna Niguel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oak Grove Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aliso Viejo, see our Aliso Viejo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 0.3 mi 5.6
Community Christian Homeschool Aliso Viejo 0.3 mi
Aliso Niguel High Aliso Viejo 0.4 mi 7.9
ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 0.4 mi 5.7
THE DISCOVERY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Aliso Viejo 0.8 mi 7.0
VANDAMME ACADEMY Aliso Viejo 0.8 mi 6.8
VanDamme Academy Aliso Viejo 0.8 mi
Journey Aliso Viejo 1.1 mi 7.3
Canyon Vista Elementary Aliso Viejo 1.0 mi 8.8
Laguna Niguel Elementary Laguna Niguel 0.9 mi 8.6
Mission Lutheran School Laguna Niguel 1.0 mi
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 1.0 mi 4.9
LAGUNA NIGUEL MONTESSORI CENTER Laguna Niguel 1.2 mi 5.3
Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy Laguna Niguel 1.6 mi
LAGUNA NIGUEL JR ACADEMY Laguna Niguel 1.6 mi 5.1
KENSINGTON MONTESSORRI SCHOOL Laguna Niguel 1.6 mi
ACADEMY ON THE HILL Aliso Viejo 1.6 mi 6.2
Academy on the Hills Aliso Viejo 1.6 mi
Oak Grove Elementary Aliso Viejo 1.7 mi 8.5
Fusion Academy - Aliso Viejo Aliso Viejo 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$134,538

Median Home Value

$849,900

Median Rent

$2,764/mo

Population

52,645

College Educated

57%

Homeownership

57.6%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ALL SOULS WORLD LANGUAGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alhambra, CA 6.8
Adelante Dual Language Academy San Jose, CA 6.8
Andasol Avenue Elementary Northridge, CA 6.8
Barranca Elementary Covina, CA 6.8
Bijou Community South Lake Tahoe, CA 6.8
Birney Elementary Long Beach, CA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wood Canyon Elementary

What grades does Wood Canyon Elementary serve?

Wood Canyon Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Wood Canyon Elementary?

Wood Canyon Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 410 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wood Canyon Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Wood Canyon Elementary is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wood Canyon Elementary rank in CA?

Wood Canyon Elementary ranks #3,858 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Wood Canyon Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Wood Canyon Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Wood Canyon Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wood Canyon Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Wood Canyon Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Wood Canyon Elementary a Title I school?

No, Wood Canyon Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wood Canyon Elementary?

51.7% of students at Wood Canyon 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
67 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
410
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

District

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

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