Top 10 Best Monterey County Public High Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 38 public high schools serving 24,238 students in Monterey County, CA.
The top ranked public high schools in Monterey County, CA are Carmel High School, Pacific Grove High School and Monterey High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Monterey County, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Monterey County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public high schools.
Monterey County, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 88%, which is more than the California average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Monterey High School, with 98% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 77% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Monterey County (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Carmel High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3600 Ocean Ave.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-1821
Grades: 9-12
| 858 students
Rank: #22.
Pacific Grove High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
615 Sunset Dr.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6590
Grades: 9-12
| 547 students
Rank: #33.
Monterey High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
101 Herrmann Dr.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 392-3801
Grades: 9-12
| 1,399 students
Rank: #44.
Carmel Valley High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
27335 Schulte Rd.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-4462
Grades: 9-12
| 20 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Carr Lake Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Grades: 7-12
| 21 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Wellington M. Smith Junior
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1420 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Grades: 4-12
| 29 students
Rank: #77.
Community High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1004 David Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6535
Grades: 9-12
| 10 students
Rank: #88.
Pacific Valley (K-12)
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
69325 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(805) 927-4507
Grades: K-12
| 19 students
Rank: #99.
Big Sur Charter
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
304 Foam St.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 324-4573
Grades: K-12
| 85 students
Rank: #1010.
Salinas High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
726 S. Main St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7400
Grades: 9-12
| 2,567 students
Rank: #1111.
Marina High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
298 Patton Pkwy.
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 583-2060
Grades: 9-12
| 674 students
Rank: #1212.
Alisal High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
777 Williams Rd.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7600
Grades: 9-12
| 2,852 students
Rank: #1313.
King City High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
720 Brd.way St.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-5461
Grades: 9-12
| 1,227 students
Rank: #1414.
Rancho San Juan High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 Rogge Rd.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 273-7700
Grades: 9-12
| 1,699 students
Rank: #1515.
Everett Alvarez High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 Independence Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7800
Grades: 9-12
| 2,146 students
Rank: #1616.
North Salinas High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
55 Kip Dr.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7500
Grades: 9-12
| 2,112 students
Rank: #1717.
Greenfield High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
225 S. El Camino Real
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-2751
Grades: 9-12
| 1,384 students
Rank: #1818.
Monterey County Home Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0331
Grades: K-12
| 241 students
Rank: #1919.
Soledad High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
425 Gabilan Dr.
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-6400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,534 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Pinnacle Coastal Valley High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
760 Brd.way St.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-4661
Grades: 9-12
| 87 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Pinnacles High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
690 Main St.
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-6301
Grades: 9-12
| 16 students
Rank: #2222.
North Monterey County High School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
13990 Castroville Blvd.
Castroville, CA 95012
(831) 633-5221
Grades: 9-12
| 1,286 students
Rank: #2323.
Seaside High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2200 Noche Buena St.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-3530
Grades: 9-12
| 1,130 students
Rank: #2424.
Gonzales High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
501 Fifth St.
Gonzales, CA 93926
(831) 675-2495
Grades: 9-12
| 809 students
Rank: #2525.
Central Bay High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
17500 Pesante Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 663-2997
Grades: 9-12
| 28 students
Rank: #2626.
North Monterey County Center For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
17500 Pesante Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 633-7050
Grades: K-12
| 168 students
Rank: #2727.
Learning For Life Charter
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3180 Imjin Rd. Ste. 110
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 582-9820
Grades: 7-12
| 128 students
Rank: #2828.
El Puente
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
20 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Grades: 7-12
| 279 students
Rank: #2929.
Soledad Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
690 Main St.
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-6300
Grades: K-12
| 50 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Portola-butler Continuation High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
760 Brd.way St.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-4661
Grades: 9-12
| 63 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Salinas Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
615 Leslie Dr.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-9520
Grades: 7-12
| 107 students
Rank: #3232.
Central Coast High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
200 Coe Ave.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-3560
Grades: 9-12
| 116 students
Rank: #3333.
Monterey County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Grades: K-12
| 256 students
Rank: #3434.
Mount Toro High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
10 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Grades: 9-12
| 214 students
Rank: n/an/a
Mission Trails Rop
Vocational School
867 E. Laurel Dr.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-4209
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Show 3 more public schools in Monterey County, CA (out of 38 total schools)
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[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Monterey County, CA

Monterey County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
1121-a Baldwin St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-6080
Grades: K-6
| 18 students
680 Belden
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1264
Grades: K-7
| 273 students
1114 Fontes Ln.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 751-3142
Grades: 4-7
| 6 students
690 Main St.
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
Grades: 7-12
| 34 students
1900 Independence Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7810
Grades: 9-12
| 2,184 students
Po Box 1219
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-0200
Grades: 9-12
| 166 students
490 El Camino Real
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-5586
Grades: 3-6
| 453 students
493 El Camino Real
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-2840
Grades: 4-8
| n/a students
800 Broadway Street
King City, CA 93930
(831) 674-3275
Grades: 9-12
| 6 students
8515 Prunedale North Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 663-1777
Grades: K-12
| 924 students
1720 Yosemite St.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-7019
Grades: K-2
| 193 students
3066 Lake Dr.
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 384-0255
Grades: K-6
| 244 students
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Grades: 9-12
| 129 students
251 Soledad Dr.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1287
Grades: K-5
| 422 students
1004 David Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-4638
Grades: K-8
| 422 students
760 Brd.way St.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-4661
Grades: 9-12
| 90 students
P.o. Box 939
Gonzales, CA 93926
(831) 678-3066
Grades: 9-12
| 64 students
415 Pearl St.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-1144
Grades: 2-5
| 477 students
650 Elko St.
Gonzales, CA 93926
(831) 675-1081
Grades: 9-12
| 28 students
215 South El Camino Real
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-3275
Grades: K-12
| 100 students
65600 Dixie St.
Bradley, CA 93426
(415) 845-2423
Grades: 9-12
| 46 students
2015 El Camino Real
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-3275
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
73101 Pleyto St. #86
Bradley, CA 93426
(831) 920-5393
Grades: K-12
| 11 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public high schools in Monterey County, CA?
The top ranked public high schools in Monterey County, CA include Carmel High School, Pacific Grove High School and Monterey High School.
How many public high schools are located in Monterey County?
38 public high schools are located in Monterey County.
What is the racial composition of students in Monterey County?
Monterey County public high schools minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high schools average of 77% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Monterey County are often viewed compared to one another?

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