RSM Christian School Photo

Best Rancho Santa Margarita Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 private schools serving 4,436 students in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (there are 10 public schools, serving 7,271 public students). 38% of all K-12 students in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The top-ranked private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA include Serra Catholic School, RSM Christian School, and St. Johns Episcopal School.
The average acceptance rate is 83%, which is higher than the California private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
45% of private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top-Ranked Rancho Santa Margarita Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
RSM Christian School
RSM Christian School Photo
(Christian)
(4)
29582 Aventura
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-4504
Gr: NS-8 | 375 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition listed
St. Johns Episcopal School
St. Johns Episcopal School Photo
(Episcopal)
(6)
30382 Via Con Dios
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 858-5144
Gr: PK-8 | 568 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Santa Margarita Catholic High School Photo - Aerial photo of Santa Margarita's 42 acre campus.
(Catholic)
(10)
22062 Antonio Pkwy
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 766-6000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,701 student Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 21 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Serra Catholic School
Serra Catholic School Photo
(Catholic)
(7)
23652 Antonio Parkway
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 888-1990
Gr: PK-8 | 1,110 student Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 19 Tuition listed
Kindercare Learning Centers # 1535
Daycare / Preschool
30062 Santa Margarita Pkwy
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 888-8880
Gr: PK-K | 33 students Tuition listed
Limai Montessori Academy
Montessori School
(1)
30075 Comercio
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 589-6440
Gr: PK-1 | 163 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Lutheran Saddleback Children's Center
Daycare / Preschool (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
(1)
30322 Via Con Dios
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 858-0646
Gr: NS-PK | 200 students Avg. class size: 8 students Tuition listed
Montessori at the Park
Montessori at the Park Photo
Montessori School
21742 Buena Suerte
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 635-1220
Gr: PK-4 | 186 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 5
R. Santa Margarita KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
28672 Deerpath
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 635-9413
Gr: NS-PK
Rancho Viejo Montessori School
Montessori School
29782 Avenida De Las Bandera
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 459-0199
Gr: PK-6 | 100 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 8 Acceptance rate listed
Santa Margarita KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
30062 Santa Margarita Pkwy
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 888-8880
Gr: NS-PK
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, California

Rancho Santa Margarita, California Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
28672 Deerpath
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949) 339-2010
Gr: PK-K | 86 students

Overview

This Town (Rancho Santa Margarita)
This State (CA)
# Schools
11 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
4,436 Students
665,722 Students
% Average Students of Color
25%
51%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
250 Teachers
55,562 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
35%
59%
Average Class Size
18 students
17 students
Average Number of AP Courses
19 courses
15 courses
Average SAT score
1269
(Out of 1600)
1262
Average ACT score
27
(Out of 36)
27

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$11,946
$18,024
Average % on Financial Aid
6%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$100
$8,935
Average Acceptance Rate
83%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.63
0.74
# American Indian Students
15 Students
3,584 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
286 Students
72,174 Students
% Asian Students
7%
11%
# Hispanic Students
336 Students
104,627 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
16%
# Black Students
28 Students
30,466 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
2,067 Students
236,488 Students
% White Students
51%
37%
# Hawaiian Students
7 Students
5,515 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,311 Students
190,072 Students
% of Others Students
33%
30%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
13 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
10 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?
The top-ranked private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA include Serra Catholic School, RSM Christian School, and St. Johns Episcopal School.
How many private schools are located in Rancho Santa Margarita?
11 private schools are located in Rancho Santa Margarita.
How diverse are private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Rancho Santa Margarita private schools are approximately 25% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of students in Rancho Santa Margarita go to private school?
38% of all K-12 students in Rancho Santa Margarita are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Rancho Santa Margarita?
45% of private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private schools in Rancho Santa Margarita are often viewed compared to one another?

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