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Tijeras Creek Elementary School

23072 Avenida Empresa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

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10/

Top 5%

Tel: (949) 234-5300

tijerascreek.capousd.org

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Serving 315 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Tijeras Creek Elementary School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).

The percentage of students achieving is 70-74% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving is 80-84% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).

The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.

Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Facts (26-27)

Grades: Kindergarten-5
Enrollment: 315 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
Minority Enrollment: 50%
: Top 5% in CA
: 70-74% (Top 10%)
: 80-84% (Top 5%)
: 70-79% (Top 5%)
: Tijeras Creek Elementary serves the northern part of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, covering an area of approximately 7.3 square miles. Families typically drive 5-10 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 3.8 miles away.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Tijeras Creek Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

School Overview

Tijeras Creek Elementary School's student population of 315 students has grown by 9% over five school years.

The teacher population of 12 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-5

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Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Tijeras Creek Elementary School
Kind	59
1	26
2	49
3	74
4	50
5	57

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Total Students

315 students

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Showing 2015–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Total Students Trends (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School
2025	315
2024	318
2023	340
2022	312
2021	287
2020	317
2019	337
2018	374
2017	358
2015	410
2014	409
2013	475
2012	531
2011	582
2010	587
2009	607
2008	577
2007	669
2006	696
2005	730
2004	754
2003	751
2002	741
2001	573

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Total Classroom Teachers

12 teachers

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Showing 2014–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Total Classroom Teachers Trends (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School
2025	12
2024	13
2023	14
2022	14
2021	12
2019	11
2018	12
2017	12
2015	13
2014	13
2013	15
2012	21
2010	21
2009	27
2008	30
2007	30
2006	30
2005	33
2004	32
2003	34
2002	32
2001	25

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Year Founded

2000

School Calendar

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School Motto

We strive for ALL students to achieve at or above grade level.

School Rankings

Tijeras Creek Elementary School ranks within the top 5% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Tijeras Creek Elementary School is 0.67, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (CA)

#402 out of 9523 schools
(Top 5%)

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Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School Rank Trends (2010-2023)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School
2023	#402
2022	#281
2019	#945
2018	#1163
2017	#1154
2016	#802
2015	#790
2013	#966
2012	#762
2011	#632
2010	#523

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70-74%

34%

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Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Comparison (2010-2023)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2023	72%	34%	60%
2022	77%	33%	57%
2019	72%	40%	61%
2018	62%	39%	60%
2017	67%	38%	58%
2016	68%	37%	58%
2015	64%	34%	56%
2013	79%	59%	73%
2012	84%	59%	74%
2011	82%	58%	73%
2010	88%	56%	70%

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80-84%

47%

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Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison (2010-2022)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2022	82%	47%	70%
2019	72%	51%	70%
2018	72%	50%	60%
2017	67%	48%	69%
2016	74%	48%	68%
2015	71%	44%	69%
2013	81%	57%	75%
2012	81%	58%	77%
2011	84%	56%	76%
2010	80%	54%	73%

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70-79%

29%

Student-Teacher Ratio

26:1

21:1

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Showing 2014–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2025	26:1	21:1
2024	24:1	22:1
2023	24:1	22:1	22:1
2022	22:1	22:1	22:1
2021	24:1	22:1	25:1
2019	31:1	23:1	26:1
2018	31:1	23:1	27:1
2017	30:1	23:1	27:1
2015	32:1	24:1	28:1
2014	31:1	24:1	29:1
2013	32:1	24:1	28:1
2012	25:1	23:1	26:1
2010	28:1	21:1	26:1
2009	22:1	20:1	24:1
2008	19:1	18:1	21:1
2007	22:1	21:1	24:1
2006	23:1	20:1	23:1
2005	22:1	21:1	24:1
2004	24:1	21:1	24:1
2003	22:1	20:1	23:1
2002	23:1	20:1	23:1
2001	23:1	20:1	22:1

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Asian

13%

12%

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Showing 2015–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2025	13%	12%
2024	11%	12%
2023	10%	12%	8%
2022	10%	12%	8%
2021	8%	12%	9%
2020	7%	12%	8%
2019	10%	12%	8%
2018	9%	12%	8%
2017	11%	11%	8%
2015	9%	11%	8%
2014	8%	11%	7%
2013	8%	11%	8%
2012	8%	11%	8%
2011	9%	11%	8%
2010	8%	11%	7%
2009	4%	11%	7%
2008	5%	12%	8%
2007	6%	12%	9%
2006	7%	12%	8%
2005	7%	12%	9%
2004	7%	12%	9%
2003	8%	12%	9%
2002	7%	11%	8%
2001	6%	11%	7%

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Hispanic

19%

56%

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Showing 2015–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2025	19%	56%
2024	17%	56%
2023	17%	55%	27%
2022	17%	56%	28%
2021	16%	56%	27%
2020	13%	55%	27%
2019	10%	55%	27%
2018	11%	54%	27%
2017	12%	54%	27%
2015	11%	54%	25%
2014	11%	53%	26%
2013	11%	53%	25%
2012	12%	52%	25%
2011	11%	51%	25%
2010	12%	50%	25%
2009	6%	49%	19%
2008	7%	50%	20%
2007	9%	49%	20%
2006	8%	48%	20%
2005	9%	47%	20%
2004	7%	46%	19%
2003	6%	45%	19%
2002	6%	44%	18%
2001	6%	43%	18%

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Black

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Showing 2014–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2025	1%	5%
2024	1%	5%
2023	1%	5%	1%
2022	2%	5%	1%
2021	2%	5%	1%
2020	1%	5%	1%
2019	1%	5%	1%
2018	1%	5%	1%
2017	1%	6%	1%
2014	1%	6%	1%
2013	1%	6%	1%
2012	1%	6%	1%
2011	2%	7%	1%
2010	1%	7%	1%
2009	2%	7%	1%
2008	1%	8%	1%
2007	4%	8%	3%
2006	2%	8%	2%
2005	2%	8%	2%
2004	2%	8%	2%
2003	2%	8%	2%
2002	2%	9%	2%
2001	2%	9%	2%

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White

50%

20%

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Showing 2015–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2025	50%	20%
2024	53%	20%
2023	59%	21%	53%
2022	57%	21%	53%
2021	63%	22%	54%
2020	66%	22%	56%
2019	68%	23%	56%
2018	68%	23%	57%
2017	66%	24%	57%
2015	71%	25%	57%
2014	72%	25%	59%
2013	73%	25%	60%
2012	74%	26%	61%
2011	73%	27%	61%
2010	72%	27%	61%
2009	77%	28%	65%
2008	87%	29%	71%
2007	81%	30%	68%
2006	81%	31%	70%
2005	80%	32%	69%
2004	83%	33%	70%
2003	84%	34%	70%
2002	85%	35%	72%
2001	85%	36%	73%

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Two or more races

17%

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Showing 2015–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2009-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2025	17%	6%
2024	18%	6%
2023	13%	6%	11%
2022	14%	5%	10%
2021	11%	5%	9%
2020	13%	5%	8%
2019	11%	4%	8%
2018	11%	4%	7%
2017	10%	4%	7%
2015	8%	3%	8%
2014	7%	3%	7%
2013	6%	3%	6%
2012	4%	3%	5%
2011	4%	3%	5%
2010	6%	3%	6%
2009	10%	3%	8%

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All Ethnic Groups

50%

80%

0.67

0.63

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Showing 2015–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Diversity Score Comparison (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2025	0.67	0.63
2024	0.65	0.63
2023	0.60	0.64	0.64
2022	0.62	0.63	0.63
2021	0.56	0.62	0.62
2020	0.53	0.64	0.61
2019	0.51	0.63	0.61
2018	0.51	0.64	0.60
2017	0.53	0.64	0.60
2015	0.47	0.64	0.58
2014	0.46	0.65	0.58
2013	0.45	0.65	0.57
2012	0.43	0.65	0.56
2011	0.45	0.66	0.56
2010	0.46	0.67	0.56
2009	0.40	0.67	0.54
2008	0.24	0.65	0.45
2007	0.31	0.66	0.47
2006	0.31	0.66	0.46
2005	0.34	0.66	0.47
2004	0.30	0.67	0.47
2003	0.29	0.67	0.46
2002	0.27	0.67	0.44
2001	0.27	0.67	0.43

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(22-23)

16.2%

27.7%

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Chronic Absenteeism Rate (2021-2023)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2023	16.2%	27.7%	19.5%
2022	18.1%	33%	22.5%
2021	8.3%	15.4%	9.9%

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Eligible for

13%

54%

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Showing 2015–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2025	13%	54%
2024	13%	54%
2023	12%	51%	26%
2022	11%	51%	23%
2021	8%	53%	23%
2020	11%	52%	22%
2019	8%	52%	22%
2018	9%	53%	18%
2017	4%	49%	18%
2015	4%	50%	17%
2014	5%	49%	17%
2013	5%	48%	19%
2011	4%	46%	16%
2010	4%	46%	15%
2009	2%	43%	14%
2008	2%	41%	12%
2007	2%	40%	11%
2006	1%	40%	10%
2005	2%	40%	10%
2004	1%	40%	11%
2002	1%	39%	11%
2001	1%	39%	11%

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Eligible for

View Data

Showing 2010–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison (2001-2025)
Year	Tijeras Creek Elementary School	California	Capistrano Unified School District
2025	9%	8%
2024	7%	8%
2023	5%	8%	8%
2019	1%	7%	3%
2017	1%	9%	3%
2015	1%	9%	3%
2014	1%	9%	4%
2013	2%	7%	5%
2011	1%	8%	5%
2010	1%	9%	5%
2009	1%	10%	5%
2007	1%	10%	4%
2005	1%	9%	4%
2003	1%	9%	13%
2001	1%	8%	5%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Capistrano Unified School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tijeras Creek Elementary School's ranking?

Tijeras Creek Elementary School is ranked #402 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in California.

What schools are Tijeras Creek Elementary School often compared to?

Tijeras Creek Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Arroyo Vista Elementary School, Robinson Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

70-74% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 80-84% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).

How many students attend Tijeras Creek Elementary School?

315 students attend Tijeras Creek Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

50% of Tijeras Creek Elementary School students are White, 19% of students are Hispanic, 17% of students are Two or more races, 13% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Tijeras Creek Elementary School?

Tijeras Creek Elementary School has a student ration of 26:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.

What grades does Tijeras Creek Elementary School offer ?

Tijeras Creek Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5

What school district is Tijeras Creek Elementary School part of?

Tijeras Creek Elementary School is part of Capistrano Unified School District.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

Grades: Kindergarten-5
Enrollment: 315 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
Minority Enrollment: 50%
: Top 5%
: 70-74% (Top 10%)
: 80-84% (Top 5%)
: 70-79% (Top 5%)
: Tijeras Creek Elementary serves the northern part of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, covering an area of approximately 7.3 square miles. Families typically drive 5-10 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 3.8 miles away.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

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