Photo: Chuffmire · CC BY-SA 4.0Rancho Santa Margarita’s public schools outscore 86% of California districts
On the state math tests, 54% of Rancho Santa Margarita’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Rancho Santa Margarita, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Rancho Santa Margarita’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 295 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rancho Santa Margarita’s, its schools beat 80%, lower than their 86% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 66% and math 54% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Capistrano Unified spends $17,395 per student and Saddleback Valley Unified $17,411, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School (private), St. Johns Episcopal School (private), DBA RSM Christian School (private), Montessori at the Park (private), Rancho Viejo Montessori School (private), Limai Montessori Academy (private) and Ocean View NPS (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Rancho Santa Margarita’s grade
A: better than 86% of California school districts, #113 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rancho Santa Margarita, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Rancho Santa Margarita · depends on your address
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate
Grades 7–8 · 1,153 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Arroyo Vista Middle
Grades 6–8 · 329 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Rancho Santa Margarita · depends on your address
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate
Grades 7–8 · 1,153 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Arroyo Vista Middle
Grades 6–8 · 329 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Rancho Santa Margarita runs its own schools through grade 12 (Capistrano Unified School District). From grade K, students attend the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, shared with Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest and Mission Viejo. Its high school is in San Clemente. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Rancho Santa Margarita
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Rancho Santa Margarita vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Rancho Santa Margarita’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rancho Santa Margarita | A | Capistrano Unified K–12 · Saddleback Valley Unified K–12 |
| Mission Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified K–12 · Saddleback Valley Unified K–12 |
Every school in Rancho Santa Margarita
25 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Rancho Santa Margarita’s schools
Are Rancho Santa Margarita’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Rancho Santa Margarita children attend outscore 86% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #113 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rancho Santa Margarita in?
Two districts: Capistrano Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Saddleback Valley Unified School District runs grades K–12, shared with Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest and Mission Viejo.
Where do Rancho Santa Margarita kids go to high school?
One of 10 high schools, depending on your address: San Clemente High, San Juan Hills High, Aliso Niguel High, Trabuco Hills High, Tesoro High, Capistrano Valley High, El Toro High, Dana Hills High, Mission Viejo High and Laguna Hills High.
What is Rancho Santa Margarita’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Capistrano Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Rancho Santa Margarita spend per student?
$17,395 in Capistrano Unified School District and $17,411 in Saddleback Valley Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Yes: St. Junipero Serra Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 1,032 students), St. Johns Episcopal School (religious, grades PK–8, 509 students), DBA RSM Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 352 students), Montessori at the Park (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 133 students), Rancho Viejo Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 89 students), Limai Montessori Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 59 students) and Ocean View NPS (special education, grades 6–12, 40 students).
Parents talk
What Rancho Santa Margarita families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rancho Santa Margarita → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.