For the 2025 school year, there are 150 public schools serving 74,381 students in Monterey County, CA (there are 25 private schools, serving 3,770 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Monterey County, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Monterey County, CA are Robert Down Elementary School, Carmel River Elementary School and Tularcitos Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Monterey County, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Monterey County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Monterey County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Robert Down Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
485 Pine Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6540
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6540
Grades: K-5
| 403 students
Rank: #22.
Carmel River Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Monte Verde St. And 15th Ave.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-4609
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-4609
Grades: K-5
| 380 students
Rank: #33.
Tularcitos Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
35 Ford Rd.
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(831) 659-2276
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(831) 659-2276
Grades: K-5
| 436 students
Rank: #44.
Carmel Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4380 Carmel Valley Rd.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-2785
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-2785
Grades: 6-8
| 473 students
Rank: #55.
Carmel High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3600 Ocean Ave.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-1821
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-1821
Grades: 9-12
| 799 students
Rank: #66.
Toro Park Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
22500 Portola Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-9691
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-9691
Grades: K-3
| 331 students
Rank: #77.
Pacific Grove High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
615 Sunset Dr.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6590
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6590
Grades: 9-12
| 520 students
Rank: #88.
Lagunita Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
975 San Juan Grade Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 449-2800
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 449-2800
Grades: K-6
| 61 students
Rank: #99.
Pacific Grove Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
835 Forest Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6568
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6568
Grades: 6-8
| 445 students
Rank: #1010.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
340 Corral De Tierra Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1331
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1331
Grades: 4-5
| 155 students
Rank: #1111.
La Mesa
(Math: 50% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 La Mesa Way
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1872
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1872
Grades: K-8
| 654 students
Rank: #1212.
San Benancio Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
43 San Benancio Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1172
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1172
Grades: 6-8
| 260 students
Rank: #1313.
Forest Grove Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1065 Congress Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6560
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6560
Grades: K-5
| 345 students
Rank: #1414.
Monte Vista
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 Toda Vista Dr.
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 392-3890
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 392-3890
Grades: K-8
| 651 students
Rank: #1515.
Monterey High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
101 Herrmann Dr.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 392-3801
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 392-3801
Grades: 9-12
| 1,326 students
Rank: #1616.
Carmel Valley High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
27335 Schulte Rd.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-4462
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-4462
Grades: 9-12
| 21 students
Rank: #17 - 1917. - 19.
Carr Lake Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Grades: 7-12
| 31 students
Rank: #17 - 1917. - 19.
Phoenix Academy Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
667 Meyer Ave.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-4400
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-4400
Grades: 5-8
| n/a students
Rank: #17 - 1917. - 19.
Wellington M. Smith Junior
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1420 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Grades: 4-12
| 34 students
Rank: #2020.
Community High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1004 David Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6535
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6535
Grades: 9-12
| 14 students
Rank: #2121.
Monterey Bay Charter
Charter School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1004 David Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-4638
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-4638
Grades: K-8
| 478 students
Rank: #2222.
Buena Vista Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
18250 Tara Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-8936
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-8936
Grades: 6-8
| 333 students
Rank: #2323.
Spreckels Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Fourth St. And Hatton Ave.
Spreckels, CA 93962
(831) 455-1831
Spreckels, CA 93962
(831) 455-1831
Grades: K-5
| 555 students
Rank: #2424.
Pacific Valley (K-12)
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
69325 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(805) 927-4507
Big Sur, CA 93920
(805) 927-4507
Grades: K-12
| 17 students
Rank: #2525.
Big Sur Charter
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
304 Foam St.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 324-4573
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 324-4573
Grades: K-12
| 89 students
Rank: #2626.
International School Of Monterey
Charter School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1720 Yosemite St.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 583-2165
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 583-2165
Grades: K-8
| 428 students
Rank: #2727.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
705 California St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5625
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5625
Grades: K-6
| 644 students
Rank: #2828.
Mission Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
36825 Foothill Rd.
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-3524
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-3524
Grades: K-8
| 127 students
Rank: #2929.
Foothill Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1700 Via Casoli
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1744
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1744
Grades: K-6
| 197 students
Rank: #3030.
George C. Marshall Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
225 Normandy Rd.
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 899-7052
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 899-7052
Grades: K-6
| 496 students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Bitterwater-tully Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
45980 Airline Hwy State Highwa
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-5339
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-5339
Grades: K-8
| 26 students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Graves Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
15 Mcfadden Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 422-6392
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 422-6392
Grades: K-8
| 35 students
Rank: #3333.
Aromas
(Math: 32% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
365 Vega St.
Aromas, CA 95004
(831) 726-5100
Aromas, CA 95004
(831) 726-5100
Grades: K-8
| 364 students
Rank: #3434.
Salinas High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
726 South Main St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7400
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7400
Grades: 9-12
| 2,446 students
Rank: #3535.
Marina High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
298 Patton Pkwy.
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 583-2060
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 583-2060
Grades: 9-12
| 725 students
Show 100 more public schools in Monterey County, CA (out of 150 total schools)
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Monterey County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Baldwin Park Community Day (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
1121-a Baldwin St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-6080
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-6080
Grades: K-6
| 18 students
680 Belden
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1264
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1264
Grades: K-7
| 273 students
Boronda Community Day (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
1114 Fontes Ln.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 751-3142
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 751-3142
Grades: 4-7
| 6 students
Chalone High School (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
690 Main St.
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-6300
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-6300
Grades: 9-12
| 63 students
Community Day (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
13998 Casroville Blvd.
Castroville, CA 95012
(831) 633-8523
Castroville, CA 95012
(831) 633-8523
Grades: 7-12
| 34 students
1900 Independence Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7810
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7810
Grades: 9-12
| 2,184 students
Po Box 1219
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-0200
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-0200
Grades: 9-12
| 166 students
490 El Camino Real
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-5586
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-5586
Grades: 3-6
| 453 students
Greenfield Community Day (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
493 El Camino Real
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-2840
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-2840
Grades: 4-8
| n/a students
800 Broadway Street
King City, CA 93930
(831) 674-3275
King City, CA 93930
(831) 674-3275
Grades: 9-12
| 6 students
8515 Prunedale North Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 663-1777
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 663-1777
Grades: K-12
| 924 students
1720 Yosemite St.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-7019
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-7019
Grades: K-2
| 193 students
3066 Lake Dr.
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 384-0255
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 384-0255
Grades: K-6
| 244 students
Millennium Charter High School (Closed 2020)
Charter School
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Grades: 9-12
| 129 students
251 Soledad Dr.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1287
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1287
Grades: K-5
| 422 students
Monterey Bay Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
1004 David Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-4638
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-4638
Grades: K-8
| 422 students
760 Brd.way St.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-4661
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-4661
Grades: 9-12
| 90 students
Pinnacles High Continuation School (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
P.o. Box 939
Gonzales, CA 93926
(831) 678-3066
Gonzales, CA 93926
(831) 678-3066
Grades: 9-12
| 64 students
415 Pearl St.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-1144
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-1144
Grades: 2-5
| 477 students
Somavia High School (Closed 2020)
Alternative School
650 Elko St.
Gonzales, CA 93926
(831) 675-1081
Gonzales, CA 93926
(831) 675-1081
Grades: 9-12
| 28 students
215 South El Camino Real
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-3275
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-3275
Grades: K-12
| 100 students
Uplift California South Charter (Closed 2023)
Charter School
65600 Dixie St.
Bradley, CA 93426
(415) 845-2423
Bradley, CA 93426
(415) 845-2423
Grades: 9-12
| 46 students
Ventana High (Continuation School) (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
2015 El Camino Real
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-3275
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-3275
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
73101 Pleyto St. #86
Bradley, CA 93426
(831) 920-5393
Bradley, CA 93426
(831) 920-5393
Grades: K-12
| 11 students
100 Toda Vista Dr.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1951
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1951
Grades: 8
| 129 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Monterey County, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Monterey County, CA include Robert Down Elementary School, Carmel River Elementary School and Tularcitos Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Monterey County?
150 public schools are located in Monterey County.
What percentage of students in Monterey County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Monterey County are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Monterey County?
Monterey County public schools minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Monterey County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Monterey County include: Forest Grove Elementary School vs. Robert Down Elementary School, J. C. Crumpton Elementary School vs. Marina Vista Elementary School, Everett Alvarez High School vs. Alisal High School
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