For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 public elementary schools serving 4,150 students in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. The top-ranked public elementary schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA are Tijeras Creek Elementary School, Arroyo Vista Middle School and Las Flores Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 71% (versus the 46% statewide average). Elementary schools in Rancho Santa Margarita have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Tijeras Creek Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
23072 Avenida Empresa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5300
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5300
Gr: K-5 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
Arroyo Vista Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
23371 Arroyo Vista
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5951
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5951
Gr: 6-8 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #33.
Las Flores Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
25862 Antonio Pkwy.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-6543
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-6543
Gr: 6-8 | 593 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #44.
Las Flores Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
25862 Antonio Pkwy.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-6935
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-6935
Gr: K-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #55.
Arroyo Vista Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
23371 Arroyo Vista
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5951
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5951
Gr: K-5 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #66.
Trabuco Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
21301 Avenida De Los Flores
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 858-3339
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 858-3339
Gr: K-6 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #77.
Melinda Heights Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
21001 Rancho Trabuco
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 888-7311
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 888-7311
Gr: K-6 | 950 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #88.
Cielo Vista Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
21811 Avenida De Los Fundadore
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-7456
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-7456
Gr: K-6 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rancho Santa Margarita, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
21001 Rancho Trabuco Rd.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 580-3457
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 580-3457
Gr: K-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA include Tijeras Creek Elementary School, Arroyo Vista Middle School and Las Flores Middle School. Rancho Santa Margarita has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in California.
How many public elementary schools are located in Rancho Santa Margarita?
8 public elementary schools are located in Rancho Santa Margarita.
What is the racial composition of students in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Rancho Santa Margarita public elementary schools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Rancho Santa Margarita are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Rancho Santa Margarita include: Cielo Vista Elementary School vs. Trabuco Mesa Elementary School, Las Flores Middle School vs. Arroyo Vista Middle School, Arroyo Vista Middle School vs. Las Flores Middle School
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