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Tijeras Creek Elementary

Public Grades K-5

357^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,817 California Elementary Schools

Better than 94% of California elementary schools

Summary

Tijeras Creek Elementary is a K–5 school serving 315 students in Rancho Santa Margarita, in the Capistrano Unified district. It is one of 10 nearby schools compared in the available results. The clearest takeaway is that students performed well above California’s proficiency levels in all three tested subjects in 2025–2026, with the largest state advantage in math: 77% were proficient, 38 percentage points above the state.

Math is also the school’s biggest advantage over its district, while science stands out most against nearby schools. Proficiency was 75% in English language arts (ELA), 77% in math and 72% in science, compared with district results of 71%, 62% and 59%, respectively, and state results of 49%, 38% and 36%. Against nearby schools with 2025–2026 results, Tijeras Creek ranked second in science, behind Philip J. Reilly Elementary, and fourth in both ELA and math. In those subjects, it trailed Las Flores Elementary, Reilly and Castille Elementary, but its results were above the nearby-school average in all three.

Results have improved recently, though the longer-term pattern varies by subject: from 2022–2023 to 2025–2026, ELA went from 78% to 75%, math from 72% to 77%, and science from 69% to 72%; science had dropped to 51% in 2024–2025 before its rebound. SchoolDigger ranked the school 356th of 5,804 statewide, at the 94th percentile with five stars, up from the 87th percentile in 2023–2024. Its student-teacher ratio was 26.2 in 2024–2025, among the higher ratios nearby; 22% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible that year. SchoolDigger’s statewide effectiveness percentile for White students rose from 71 in 2023–2024 to 90 in 2025–2026, while the overall percentile rose from 87 to 94; this indicates improved relative standing in that measure of how well the school serves the group, not individual student growth.

315

Students ?

26.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,376

Per pupil spending ?

21.6%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

≥ 98%

Kindergartners with all required immunizations (2024-25)

23072 Avenida Empresa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-8533

(949) 234-5300

District: Capistrano Unified

Students who attend Tijeras Creek Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Las Flores Middle
High:	Tesoro High

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.5%

Hispanic:

18.7%

Two or more races:

17.1%

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Compare Tijeras Creek Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 91st percentile in 2015 → 94th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (75% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 6% of California elementary schools

Worth a look

!Large classes — about 26 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school75%

District avg65%

California avg42%

357^th of 5,817

California public elementary schools ?

Top 6%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 35Elementary Schools in the Capistrano Unified

205^th of 1,530Capistrano Unified among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	94.6	357 of 5817	93.9%	★★★★★
2025	88.8	725 of 5857	87.6%	★★★★☆
2024	88.6	777 of 5869	86.8%	★★★★☆
2023	94.4	395 of 5859	93.3%	★★★★★
2022	96.9	212 of 5883	96.4%	★★★★★
2019	88.0	751 of 5789	87.0%	★★★★☆
2018	85.8	855 of 5662	84.9%	★★★★☆
2017	87.0	813 of 5692	85.7%	★★★★☆
2016	92.1	492 of 5614	91.2%	★★★★★
2015	92.2	491 of 5611	91.2%	★★★★★
2013	84.9	766 of 5530	86.1%	★★★★☆
2012	89.1	484 of 5390	91.0%	★★★★★
2011	90.1	426 of 5377	92.1%	★★★★★
2010	91.9	331 of 5314	93.8%	★★★★★
2009	93.3	267 of 5193	94.9%	★★★★★
2008	90.2	468 of 5113	90.8%	★★★★★
2007	83.9	806 of 5113	84.2%	★★★★☆
2006	85.3	717 of 4818	85.1%	★★★★☆
2005	87.4	629 of 4822	87.0%	★★★★☆
2004	92.8	345 of 4809	92.8%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	91.4	492 of 5581	91.2%	★★★★★
2025	90.8	544 of 5597	90.3%	★★★★★
2024	90.6	588 of 5612	89.5%	★★★★☆
2023	91.4	545 of 5609	90.3%	★★★★★
2022	94.7	321 of 5635	94.3%	★★★★★
2019	89.5	593 of 5492	89.2%	★★★★☆
2018	86.4	744 of 5413	86.3%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	96.2	109 of 5094	97.9%	★★★★★
2025	94.3	192 of 5107	96.2%	★★★★★
2024	81.1	681 of 5107	86.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	97.7	76 of 5423	98.6%	★★★★★
2025	84.3	602 of 5460	89.0%	★★★★☆
2024	91.7	378 of 5517	93.1%	★★★★★
2023	98.8	49 of 5363	99.1%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	92.8	408 of 5603	92.7%	★★★★★
2025	84.0	883 of 5628	84.3%	★★★★☆
2024	84.0	922 of 5643	83.7%	★★★★☆
2023	94.8	325 of 5638	94.2%	★★★★★
2022	96.8	179 of 5663	96.8%	★★★★★
2019	83.6	891 of 5510	83.8%	★★★★☆
2018	81.7	986 of 5431	81.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	84.8	247 of 2536	90.3%	★★★★★
2025	69.2	819 of 2598	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.4	769 of 2651	71.0%	★★★★☆
2023	79.1	467 of 2661	82.5%	★★★★☆
2022	87.5	191 of 2726	93.0%	★★★★★
2019	68.1	894 of 2834	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.8	1138 of 2737	58.4%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)99th percentile+5 vs school

Hispanic (2026)98th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)93rd percentile~ school

Female (2026)91st percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)90th percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics77%+38 vs state

English Language Arts/Literacy75%+26 vs state

Science72%+36 vs state

★

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Schools Near Tijeras Creek Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CAST Science (2026)		Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)					Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)					Vaccination (2024-25)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners with all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Tijeras Creek Elementary	Public	K-5	23072 Avenida Empresa	Rancho Santa Margarita	92688	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 234-5300	315	12	26.2	21.6%	159 (50.5%)	2 (0.6%)	59 (18.7%)	40 (12.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (17.1%)	94.6	357^th of 5817 public elementary schools	93.9%		88.8	725^th of 5857 public elementary schools	87.6%	368	72.3	72.3	75.6	73.6	76.6		75.0	77.8	79.2	72.3		76.8	≥ 98%		$18,376	$787	$17,589
Arroyo Vista Elementary	Public	K-5	23371 Arroyo Vista	Rancho Santa Margarita	92688	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 234-5951	508	21	24.1	28.0%	285 (56.1%)	2 (0.4%)	75 (14.8%)	55 (10.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	91 (17.9%)	87	796^th of 5817 public elementary schools	86.3%		89.7	677^th of 5857 public elementary schools	88.4%	119	50.0	50.0	71.8	62.7	65.6		66.8	75.3	73.1	65.6		70.8	≥ 98%		$17,776	$787	$16,989
Cielo Vista Elementary	Public	K-6	21811 Avenida De Los Fundadores	Rancho Santa Margarita	92688	Orange County	Saddleback Valley Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 589-7456	487	21	23.4	65.3%	114 (23.4%)	2 (0.4%)	289 (59.3%)	51 (10.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.4%)	47.3	2766^th of 5817 public elementary schools	52.4%		44.8	2899^th of 5857 public elementary schools	50.5%	133	42.0	42.0	45.6	30.5	43.1	45.6	41.5	51.5	37.3	28.0	33.8	38.4	95%	0%	$19,295	$1,095	$18,200
Philip J. Reilly Elementary	Public	K-5	24171 Pavion	Mission Viejo	92692	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 454-1590	421	19	22.1	27.3%	215 (51.1%)	10 (2.4%)	71 (16.9%)	32 (7.6%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	90 (21.4%)	95.7	262^nd of 5817 public elementary schools	95.5%		96.3	209^th of 5857 public elementary schools	96.4%	53	76.5	76.5	66.7	81.4	88.2		79.8	74.5	78.0	88.2		80.9	≥ 98%		$18,960	$787	$18,173
Melinda Heights Elementary	Public	K-6	21001 Rancho Trabuco	Rancho Santa Margarita	92688	Orange County	Saddleback Valley Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 888-7311	950	34	28.1	27.8%	487 (51.3%)	7 (0.7%)	226 (23.8%)	130 (13.7%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	96 (10.1%)	84.8	926^th of 5817 public elementary schools	84.1%		78.6	1209^th of 5857 public elementary schools	79.4%	283	61.4	61.4	58.0	60.8	68.9	65.4	63.4	67.2	66.9	56.1	59.6	62.4	≥ 99%		$18,766	$928	$17,838
Trabuco Mesa Elementary	Public	K-6	21301 Avenida de los Flores	Rancho Santa Margarita	92688	Orange County	Saddleback Valley Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 858-3339	640	26	25.0	37.2%	285 (44.5%)	5 (0.8%)	184 (28.8%)	89 (13.9%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	74 (11.6%)	88.7	717^th of 5817 public elementary schools	87.7%		88.1	767^th of 5857 public elementary schools	86.9%	50	56.3	56.3	82.6	73.3	60.0	70.1	71.1	79.4	75.0	55.0	60.4	66.7	≥ 98%		$17,744	$927	$16,817
Trabuco Elementary	Public	K-6	31052 Trabuco Canyon Rd.	Trabuco Canyon	92678	Orange County	Saddleback Valley Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 858-0343	90	5	18.2	37.8%	45 (50.0%)	1 (1.1%)	26 (28.9%)	2 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (17.8%)	60.3	2061^st of 5817 public elementary schools	64.6%		65.7	1811^th of 5857 public elementary schools	69.1%	250	61.5	61.5	45.5	46.7	53.9	47.4	48.3	45.5	40.0	38.5	47.4	43.1			$24,133	$941	$23,192
Robinson Elementary	Public	K-6	21400 Lindsay Dr.	Trabuco Canyon	92679	Orange County	Saddleback Valley Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 589-2446	486	20	24.1	27.6%	308 (63.4%)	4 (0.8%)	108 (22.2%)	23 (4.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (8.6%)	85.8	867^th of 5817 public elementary schools	85.1%		77.6	1262^nd of 5857 public elementary schools	78.5%	395	61.8	61.8	58.4	66.1	66.2	67.7	64.3	66.2	62.9	67.7	59.7	64.3	95%	0%	$19,623	$936	$18,687
Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County	Public, Charter	K-5	23000 Via Santa Maria	Mission Viejo	92656	Orange County	Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 305-6111	704	27	26.0	12.6%	251 (35.7%)	4 (0.6%)	110 (15.6%)	229 (32.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	110 (15.6%)	95.1	324^th of 5817 public elementary schools	94.4%		95.5	287^th of 5857 public elementary schools	95.1%	37	75.6	75.6	72.8	79.0	90.0		79.9	70.2	79.0	82.2		76.8	96%	0%	$12,231	$770	$11,461
Las Flores Elementary	Public	K-5	25862 Antonio Pkwy.	Rancho Santa Margarita	92688	Orange County	Capistrano Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 589-6935	328	13	25.2	26.5%	169 (51.5%)	3 (0.9%)	59 (18.0%)	59 (18.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (11.6%)	95	330^th of 5817 public elementary schools	94.3%		95.1	320^th of 5857 public elementary schools	94.5%	10	69.4	69.4	66.7	85.4	85.5		80.0	70.5	82.9	79.0		77.6	≥ 98%		$18,634	$787	$17,847

Frequently Asked Questions about Tijeras Creek Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Tijeras Creek Elementary?

Students at Tijeras Creek Elementary are 50% White, 19% Hispanic, 17% Two or more races, 13% Asian.

How many students attend Tijeras Creek Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 315 students attended Tijeras Creek Elementary.

What district is Tijeras Creek Elementary in?

Capistrano Unified

Is Tijeras Creek Elementary a good school?

Yes. Tijeras Creek Elementary ranks in the top 6.1% of California elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Tijeras Creek Elementary attend?

Students who attend Tijeras Creek Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Las Flores Middle
High : Tesoro High

Rate Tijeras Creek Elementary!

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Latest California data All new data »

2024–25 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 15, 2026

2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresOct 15, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.