Is Wood Canyon Elementary a good school?

Wood Canyon Elementary ranks 1958 th of 5862 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Wood Canyon Elementary?

In the 2023-24 school year, 410 students attended Wood Canyon Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Wood Canyon Elementary?

Students at Wood Canyon Elementary are 38% White, 38% Hispanic, 15% Two or more races, 9% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Wood Canyon Elementary attend?

Students who attend Wood Canyon Elementary usually go on to attend: Middle : Don Juan Avila Middle High : Aliso Niguel High

Wood Canyon Elementary

Summary:

Wood Canyon Elementary is a public elementary school located in Aliso Viejo, California, serving grades K-5 with a total enrollment of 423 students. It is part of the Capistrano Unified School District, which is ranked 204 out of 1,568 districts in California and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Wood Canyon Elementary has some areas of strength, it faces significant challenges in academic performance, particularly in comparison to nearby schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. The school's academic performance, as measured by Smarter Balanced Assessments, is generally lower than the district and state averages across various grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy at the end-of-course level was 49.16% for Wood Canyon Elementary, compared to 70.24% for the Capistrano Unified School District and 47.04% for California. The school also struggles with a high chronic absenteeism rate, which has increased from 15.4% in 2018-2019 to 26.4% in 2022-2023, notably higher than the district and state averages.

Interestingly, Wood Canyon Elementary has a relatively high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with 53.66% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year. This is significantly higher than the nearby Oak Grove Elementary, Moulton Elementary, and Marian Bergeson Elementary, which range from 18.2% to 32.81% free or reduced-price lunch recipients. This socioeconomic factor may be contributing to the school's academic struggles, and targeted interventions and support programs could be beneficial in helping Wood Canyon Elementary improve its overall performance.

Detail:

Public K-5

23431 Knollwood
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-4240

(949) 448-0012

District: Capistrano Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
1958^th of 5,862 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $5,842

Students who attend Wood Canyon Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Don Juan Avila Middle
High:	Aliso Niguel High

Student/teacher ratio: 22.7

Number of students: 410

Racial breakdown:

White:

37.6%

Hispanic:

37.6%

Two or more races:

14.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 51.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Wood Canyon Elementary ranks better than 66.6% of elementary schools in California. It also ranks 26^th among 34 ranked elementary schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 62.37. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Wood Canyon Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (37.6%), White (37.6%), two or more races (14.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 51.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Wood Canyon Elementary is 22.7, which is the 14^th best among 34 elementary schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. (See more...)

Compare Wood Canyon Elementary employs 17.9 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Wood Canyon Elementary is $5,842, which is the lowest among 35 elementary schools in the Capistrano Unified School District!

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Wood Canyon Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Wood Canyon Elementary 1958^th of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See Wood Canyon Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

English Language Learner students:

Special Education students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

Capistrano Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Capistrano Unified 204^th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Wood Canyon Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Wood Canyon Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2004	73.78	1164^th	4809	75.8%
2005	63.44	1594^th	4822	66.9%
2006	62.10	1657^th	4818	65.6%
2007	56.79	1981^st	5113	61.3%
2008	49.54	2395^th	5113	53.2%
2009	49.66	2511^th	5193	51.6%
2010	46.14	2789^th	5314	47.5%
2011	60.44	1999^th	5377	62.8%
2012	42.63	3099^th	5390	42.5%
2013	41.42	3227^th	5530	41.6%
2015	75.68	1296^th	5611	76.9%
2016	72.44	1419^th	5614	74.7%
2017	53.07	2374^th	5692	58.3%
2018	56.01	2240^th	5662	60.4%
2019	53.24	2409^th	5789	58.4%
2022	61.04	1979^th	5883	66.4%
2023	68.13	1667^th	5874	71.6%
2024	62.37	1958^th	5862	66.6%

See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Wood Canyon Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	56.90	841^st	3160	73.4%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Wood Canyon Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	67.07	523^rd	2420	78.4%
2024	61.51	688^th	2634	73.9%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Wood Canyon Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	55.85	1981^st	5084	61.0%
2019	51.75	2282^nd	5173	55.9%
2022	66.00	1360^th	5264	74.2%
2023	75.03	989^th	5374	81.6%
2024	67.67	1372^nd	5511	75.1%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Wood Canyon Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	55.11	2227^th	5413	58.9%
2019	53.61	2294^th	5492	58.2%
2022	63.73	1788^th	5635	68.3%
2023	74.09	1322^nd	5617	76.5%
2024	71.90	1406^th	5605	74.9%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Wood Canyon Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	54.28	862^nd	2585	66.7%
2022	39.40	1103^rd	2227	50.5%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Wood Canyon Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	54.52	2196^th	5431	59.6%
2019	51.11	2406^th	5510	56.3%
2022	56.72	2110^th	5663	62.7%
2023	59.62	1972^nd	5650	65.1%
2024	52.15	2354^th	5636	58.2%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Wood Canyon Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	65.59	1344^th	4830	72.2%
2019	60.12	1679^th	4963	66.2%
2022	65.80	1351^st	5084	73.4%
2023	71.34	1111^th	5098	78.2%
2024	61.08	1630^th	5102	68.1%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Wood Canyon Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	36.69	1907^th	2737	30.3%
2019	30.03	2153^rd	2834	24.0%
2022	38.68	1779^th	2726	34.7%
2023	39.90	1724^th	2662	35.2%
2024	46.88	1512^th	2647	42.9%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Saturday, April 28, 2018

Ever since the new principal came on board, this school has made a complete 180. The faculty/staff are eager to learn and eager to teach. The YMCA is right on campus, making it easy for working parents. The PTA does an amazing job hosting multiple events throughout the year with limited resources. Great school, great community! Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, October 16, 2016

I've been at Wood Canyon for seven years now and love it...couldn't be happier with the education my kids receive as well as the caring teachers and staff. Love our running club, the Family Fun Nights, the science lab with new instructional aide they have hired...all great! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Wood Canyon Elementary

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1995	785	53	91	117	4	n/a	n/a	0	1050
1996	785	53	91	117	4	n/a	n/a	0	1050
1997	566	34	87	106	5	n/a	n/a	0	798
1998	643	29	98	117	2	n/a	n/a	0	889
1999	678	38	115	130	4	n/a	n/a	0	965
2000	692	39	130	155	4	n/a	n/a	0	1020
2001	584	36	105	124	2	n/a	n/a	7	858
2002	479	26	79	122	1	n/a	n/a	35	742
2003	479	26	79	122	1	n/a	n/a	35	742
2004	357	21	44	92	0	n/a	n/a	42	556
2005	284	17	41	76	1	n/a	n/a	42	461
2006	236	17	33	63	0	n/a	n/a	28	377
2007	237	18	40	50	0	n/a	n/a	21	366
2008	363	28	65	134	2	n/a	n/a	0	592
2009	319	29	65	127	2	3	67	0	612
2010	298	25	78	154	4	3	20	0	582
2011	272	18	74	151	0	3	18	0	536
2012	239	21	73	147	0	3	14	0	497
2013	229	27	71	163	0	3	19	0	512
2014	216	18	48	158	0	3	21	0	464
2015	204	11	51	147	0	1	35	0	449
2016	180	6	40	124	1	3	32	0	386
2017	197	8	40	156	1	1	44	0	447
2018	241	8	45	164	1	1	52	0	512
2019	211	8	44	147	1	1	56	0	468
2020	206	8	34	155	1	0	48	0	452
2021	163	8	29	140	1	1	57	0	399
2022	174	6	46	158	0	0	64	0	448
2023	165	6	43	150	0	2	57	0	423
2024	154	3	37	154	0	1	61	0	410

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Wood Canyon Elementary

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	1050	37.0	28.4	16
1996	1050	37.0	28.4	16
1997	798	37.4	21.3	21.8
1998	889	41.5	21.4	15.7
1999	965	43.5	22.2	14.2
2000	1020	48.5	21.0	15.7
2001	858	39.0	22.0	14
2002	742	33.0	22.5	23.2
2003	742	33.0	22.5	23.2
2004	556	26.7	20.8	17.9
2005	461	21.0	22.0	17.4
2006	377	21.5	17.5	12.9
2007	366	18.5	19.8	15.4
2008	592	34.0	17.4	23
2009	612	30.0	20.4	23.2
2010	582	24.0	24.2	22.3
2011	536	n/a	n/a	23.9
2012	497	19.3	25.6	n/a
2013	512	18.4	27.7	26.6
2014	464	17.0	27.2	29.7
2015	449	17.0	26.4	29
2016	386	13.0	29.6	29.3
2017	447	16.0	27.9	31.3
2018	512	18.0	28.4	36.9
2019	468	17.0	27.5	34.2
2020	452	n/a	n/a	39.4
2021	399	17.5	22.6	41.1
2022	448	20.2	22.1	37.9
2023	423	20.0	21.1	53.7
2024	410	17.9	22.7	51.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Wood Canyon Elementary

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	1050	37.0	28.4	16
1996	1050	37.0	28.4	16
1997	798	37.4	21.3	21.8
1998	889	41.5	21.4	15.7
1999	965	43.5	22.2	14.2
2000	1020	48.5	21.0	15.7
2001	858	39.0	22.0	14
2002	742	33.0	22.5	23.2
2003	742	33.0	22.5	23.2
2004	556	26.7	20.8	17.9
2005	461	21.0	22.0	17.4
2006	377	21.5	17.5	12.9
2007	366	18.5	19.8	15.4
2008	592	34.0	17.4	23
2009	612	30.0	20.4	23.2
2010	582	24.0	24.2	22.3
2011	536	n/a	n/a	23.9
2012	497	19.3	25.6	n/a
2013	512	18.4	27.7	26.6
2014	464	17.0	27.2	29.7
2015	449	17.0	26.4	29
2016	386	13.0	29.6	29.3
2017	447	16.0	27.9	31.3
2018	512	18.0	28.4	36.9
2019	468	17.0	27.5	34.2
2020	452	n/a	n/a	39.4
2021	399	17.5	22.6	41.1
2022	448	20.2	22.1	37.9
2023	423	20.0	21.1	53.7
2024	410	17.9	22.7	51.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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