Public School Review - Established 2003

Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate vs. La Paz Intermediate

Should you attend Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate or La Paz Intermediate? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
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School Overview

School
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate
21931 Alma Aldea
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
: 
9/
10
Top 20%
La Paz Intermediate
25151 Pradera Dr.
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
: 
9/
10
Top 20%
Top Rankings

Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)

La Paz Intermediate ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Overview
Serving 1,116 students in grades 7-8, Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate ranks in the top 20% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 69% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 23:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Serving 707 students in grades 7-8, La Paz Intermediate ranks in the top 20% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 59% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 70% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 23:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Blue Ribbon Schools
-
Yes
Grades Offered
7-8
7-8
Total Students
1,116 students
707 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at La Paz Intermediate over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
% Male | % Female
50% | 50%
54% | 46%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at La Paz Intermediate.
Total Classroom Teachers
48 teachers
31 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at La Paz Intermediate over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
23:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and the state of California, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at La Paz Intermediate with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and the state of California, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Test Scores

#1206 out of 9523 schools in CA
(Top 20%)
#1199 out of 9523 schools in CA
(Top 20%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of La Paz Intermediate, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
60%
(Top 20% in CA)
59%
(Top 20% in CA)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at La Paz Intermediate who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
69%
(Top 20% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
70%
(Top 20% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at La Paz Intermediate who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
57%
(Top 10% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
51%
(Top 20% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate by grade.
This chart displays the students of La Paz Intermediate by grade.
Grade 7 Students
568
370
Grade 8 Students
548
337

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2004-05 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at La Paz Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2005-06 school year.
% Asian
15%
10%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at La Paz Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hispanic
27%
32%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at La Paz Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Black
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at La Paz Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% White
47%
44%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at La Paz Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at La Paz Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2013-14 school year.
% Two or more races
10%
12%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at La Paz Intermediate, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
0.68
0.69
This chart showcases the diversity score of Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of La Paz Intermediate, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
21%
30%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at La Paz Intermediate, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
12%
12%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at La Paz Intermediate, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
 
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