For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 7,271 students in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (there are 13 private schools, serving 4,626 private students). 61% of all K-12 students in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%). Rancho Santa Margarita has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
The top ranked public schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA are Tijeras Creek Elementary School, Arroyo Vista Middle School and Las Flores Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 72% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Tijeras Creek Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | 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
Grades: K-5
| 318 students
Rank: #22.
Arroyo Vista Middle School
(Math: 65% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 330 students
Rank: #33.
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
Grades: K-5
| 322 students
Rank: #44.
Las Flores Middle School
(Math: 64% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 559 students
Rank: #55.
Arroyo Vista Elementary School
(Math: 71% | 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
Grades: K-5
| 518 students
Rank: #66.
Tesoro High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1 Tesoro Creek Rd.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5310
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5310
Grades: 9-12
| 2,040 students
Rank: #77.
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
Grades: K-6
| 630 students
Rank: #88.
Melinda Heights Elementary School
(Math: 64% | 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
Grades: K-6
| 950 students
Rank: #99.
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate
(Math: 56% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
21931 Alma Aldea
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 459-8253
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 459-8253
Grades: 7-8
| 1,116 students
Rank: #1010.
Cielo Vista Elementary School
(Math: 33% | 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
Grades: K-6
| 488 students
Rancho Santa Margarita, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
21001 Rancho Trabuco Rd.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 580-3457
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 580-3457
Grades: K-12
| 24 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA include Tijeras Creek Elementary School, Arroyo Vista Middle School and Las Flores Elementary School. Rancho Santa Margarita has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
How many public schools are located in Rancho Santa Margarita?
10 public schools are located in Rancho Santa Margarita.
What percentage of students in Rancho Santa Margarita go to public school?
61% of all K-12 students in Rancho Santa Margarita are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Rancho Santa Margarita public schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Rancho Santa Margarita are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Rancho Santa Margarita include: Las Flores Middle School vs. Arroyo Vista Middle School, Arroyo Vista Middle School vs. Las Flores Middle School, Cielo Vista Elementary School vs. Trabuco Mesa Elementary School
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