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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Monterey County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 147 public schools serving 73,351 students in Monterey County, CA (there are 23 private schools, serving 3,974 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Monterey County, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
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 22% (versus the California public school average of 34%), 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 90% 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 (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Robert Down Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
485 Pine Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6540
Gr: K-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #22.
Carmel River Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Monte Verde St. And 15th Ave.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-4609
Gr: K-5 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
Tularcitos Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
35 Ford Rd.
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(831) 659-2276
Gr: K-5 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Lagunita Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
975 San Juan Grade Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 449-2800
Gr: K-6 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #55.
Carmel Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4380 Carmel Valley Rd.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-2785
Gr: 6-8 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #66.
Toro Park Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
22500 Portola Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-9691
Gr: K-3 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #77.
Pacific Grove High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
615 Sunset Dr.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6590
Gr: 9-12 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #88.
Pacific Grove Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
835 Forest Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6568
Gr: 6-8 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #99.
Carmel High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3600 Ocean Ave.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-1821
Gr: 9-12 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1010.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
340 Corral De Tierra Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1331
Gr: 4-5 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1111.
San Benancio Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
43 San Benancio Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1172
Gr: 6-8 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Forest Grove Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1065 Congress Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6560
Gr: K-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1313.
La Mesa
(Math: 49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1 La Mesa Way
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1872
Gr: K-8 | 689 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1414.
Monterey High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
101 Herrmann Dr.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 392-3801
Gr: 9-12 | 1,401 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1515.
Big Sur Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
304 Foam St.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 324-4573
Gr: K-12 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1616.
Monterey Bay Charter
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1004 David Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-4638
Gr: K-8 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1717.
Monte Vista
(Math: 42% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
100 Toda Vista Dr.
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 392-3890
Gr: K-8 | 688 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1818.
Carmel Valley High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
27335 Schulte Rd.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-4462
Gr: 9-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1919.
Phoenix Academy Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
667 Meyer Ave.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-4400
Gr: 5-8
Rank: #2020.
Carr Lake Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Gr: 7-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2121.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2222.
Buena Vista Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
18250 Tara Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-8936
Gr: 6-8 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2323.
Mission Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
36825 Foothill Rd.
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-3524
Gr: K-8 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2424.
Pacific Valley (K-12)
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
69325 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(805) 927-4507
Gr: K-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2525.
Spreckels Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Fourth St. And Hatton Ave.
Spreckels, CA 93962
(831) 455-1831
Gr: K-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2626.
Captain Cooper Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2452
Gr: K-5 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2727.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
705 California St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5625
Gr: K-6 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2828.
International School Of Monterey
Charter School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1720 Yosemite St.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 583-2165
Gr: K-8 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2929.
George C. Marshall Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
225 Normandy Rd.
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 899-7052
Gr: K-6 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #3030.
Graves Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
15 Mcfadden Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 422-6392
Gr: K-8 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3131.
Salinas High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
726 South Main St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7400
Gr: 9-12 | 2,380 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #3232.
Bradley Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
65600 Dixie St.
Bradley, CA 93426
(805) 472-2310
Gr: K-8 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3333.
Rose Ferrero Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
400 Entrada Dr.
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-6480
Gr: K-6 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3434.
Chualar Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
24285 Lincoln St.
Chualar, CA 93925
(831) 679-2313
Gr: K-8 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3535.
Bay View Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
222 Casa Verde Ave.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 717-4630
Gr: K-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Show 100 more public schools in Monterey County, CA (out of 147 total schools)
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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?
149 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 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Monterey County?
Monterey County public schools minority enrollment is 90% 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?

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