At a glance
Reported students
950
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
33.7
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
28.2:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–06
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
California elementary enrollment
98th percentile
Compared with 5,927 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
547
Melinda Heights Elementary: 950 reported students.
State peer staffing position
98th percentile
28.2:1 reported; state peer median 22.4:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 979
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Student–teacher ratio
- 28:1
What the reported data says about Melinda Heights Elementary
Melinda Heights Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–06 in Rancho Santa Margarita. It is one of 33 current school records connected to Saddleback Valley Unified. NCES reports 950 students for 2024–25.
Among 5,927 elementary schools in California with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 455 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 98th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 28.2:1, above the California median of 22.4:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (51.3%) and Hispanic or Latino (23.8%). English learners represent 7.2% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 13%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Melinda Heights Elementary
- 1How do the reported 28.2:1 student–teacher ratio and 33.7 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 7.2%
- Students with disabilities
- 13%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 27.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Provision 2
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White51.3%
- Hispanic23.8%
- Black0.7%
- Asian13.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial10.1%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Saddleback Valley Unified
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Foothill Ranch Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
990 reported students
Ralph A. Gates DLI Magnet Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
896 reported students
Portola Hills Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
809 reported students
Lake Forest Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
640 reported students
Trabuco Mesa Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
640 reported students
Rancho Canada Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
633 reported students