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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Rancho Santa Margarita Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 7,333 students in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (there are 10 private schools, serving 4,344 private students). 68% 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 Middle 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 62% (versus the California public school average of 34%), 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 50% 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 (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Tijeras Creek Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
23072 Avenida Empresa
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:
10/
10
Top 10%
23371 Arroyo Vista
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:
10/
10
Top 10%
25862 Antonio Pkwy.
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:
10/
10
Top 10%
25862 Antonio Pkwy.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-6935
Gr: K-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #55.
Tesoro High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1 Tesoro Creek Rd.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5310
Gr: 9-12 | 2,030 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #66.
Arroyo Vista Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
23371 Arroyo Vista
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 234-5951
Gr: K-5 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #77.
Trabuco Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
21301 Avenida De Los Flores
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 858-3339
Gr: K-6 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #88.
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate
(Math: 60% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
21931 Alma Aldea
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 459-8253
Gr: 7-8 | 1,153 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #99.
Melinda Heights Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
21001 Rancho Trabuco
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 888-7311
Gr: K-6 | 950 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1010.
Cielo Vista Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
21811 Avenida De Los Fundadore
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-7456
Gr: K-6 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 76%

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 Middle 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?
68% 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 50% 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?

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