Top 10 Best Monterey County Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 150 public schools serving 74,922 students in Monterey County, CA (there are 24 private schools, serving 4,080 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 Carmel High School, Robert Down Elementary School and Pacific Grove High 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 35% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Monterey County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 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 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Monterey County Public Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Carmel High School
Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3600 Ocean Ave.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-1821
Grades: 9-12
| 842 students
Rank: #22.
Robert Down Elementary School
Math: 75% | Reading: 79%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
485 Pine Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6540
Grades: K-5
| 431 students
Rank: #33.
Pacific Grove High School
Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
615 Sunset Dr.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6590
Grades: 9-12
| 570 students
Rank: #44.
Carmel River Elementary School
Math: 60-64% | Reading: 72%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Monte Verde St. And 15th Ave.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-4609
Grades: K-5
| 392 students
Rank: #55.
Pacific Grove Middle School
Math: 62% | Reading: 81%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
835 Forest Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6568
Grades: 6-8
| 390 students
Rank: #66.
Tularcitos Elementary School
Math: 61% | Reading: 72%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
35 Ford Rd.
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(831) 659-2276
Grades: K-5
| 419 students
Rank: #77.
Carmel Middle School
Math: 58% | Reading: 74%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4380 Carmel Valley Rd.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-2785
Grades: 6-8
| 534 students
Rank: #88.
Big Sur Charter
Charter School
Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
304 Foam St.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 324-4573
Grades: K-12
| 98 students
Rank: #99.
Graves Elementary School
Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
15 Mcfadden Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 422-6392
Grades: K-8
| 35 students
Rank: #1010.
San Benancio Middle School
Math: 57% | Reading: 76%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
43 San Benancio Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1172
Grades: 6-8
| 263 students
Rank: #1111.
La Mesa Elementary School
Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1 La Mesa Way
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1872
Grades: K-6
| 450 students
Rank: #1212.
Forest Grove Elementary School
Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1065 Congress Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6560
Grades: K-5
| 408 students
Rank: #1313.
Captain Cooper Elementary School
Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2452
Grades: K-5
| 50 students
Rank: #1414.
Washington Elementary School
Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
340 Corral De Tierra Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1331
Grades: 4-5
| 166 students
Rank: #1515.
San Vicente Elementary School
Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1300 Metz Rd.
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-6420
Grades: K-6
| 520 students
Rank: #1616.
Toro Park Elementary School
Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
22500 Portola Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-9691
Grades: K-3
| 327 students
Rank: #1717.
Buena Vista Middle School
Math: 43% | Reading: 64%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
18250 Tara Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-8936
Grades: 6-8
| 317 students
Rank: #18 - 2118. - 21.
Bradley Elementary School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
65600 Dixie St.
Bradley, CA 93426
(805) 472-2310
Grades: K-8
| 58 students
Rank: #18 - 2118. - 21.
Highland Elementary School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1650 Sonoma Ave.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 583-2024
Grades: K-6
| 276 students
Rank: #18 - 2118. - 21.
Ione Olson Elementary School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
261 Beach Rd.
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 392-3590
Grades: K-6
| 409 students
Rank: #18 - 2118. - 21.
Seaside Middle School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
999 Coe Ave.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-7080
Grades: 7-8
| 475 students
Rank: #2222.
Lagunita Elementary School
Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
975 San Juan Grade Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 449-2800
Grades: K-8
| 94 students
Rank: #2323.
Community High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
(2016-2017 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1004 David Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 646-6535
Grades: 9-12
| 13 students
Rank: #2424.
Lincoln Elementary School
Math: 43% | Reading: 57%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
705 Ca St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5625
Grades: K-6
| 535 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Carmel Valley High School
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
(2017-2018 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
27335 Schulte Rd.
Carmel, CA 93922
(831) 624-4462
Grades: 9-12
| 14 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Phoenix Community Day
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
(2017-2018 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
667 Meyer Ave.
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-4400
Grades: 1-8
| 30 students
Rank: #2727.
Monte Vista
Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
251 Soledad Dr.
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 392-3890
Grades: K-6
| 413 students
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Carr Lake Community Day
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Grades: 7-12
| 10 students
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Pacific Valley (K-12)
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
69325 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(805) 927-4507
Grades: K-12
| 17 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Chualar Elementary School
Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
24285 Lincoln St.
Chualar, CA 93925
(831) 679-2313
Grades: K-8
| 281 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Foothill Elementary School
Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1700 Via Casoli
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1744
Grades: K-6
| 197 students
Rank: #3232.
Del Rey Woods Elementary School
Math: 48% | Reading: 47%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1281 Plumas Ave.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-3907
Grades: K-6
| 434 students
Rank: #3333.
Monterey Bay Charter
Charter School
Math: 32% | Reading: 58%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1004 David Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-4638
Grades: K-8
| 453 students
Rank: #3434.
Monterey High School
Math: 32% | Reading: 59%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
101 Herrmann Dr.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 392-3801
Grades: 9-12
| 1,356 students
Rank: #3535.
John E. Steinbeck Elementary School
Math: 42% | Reading: 48%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1714 Burlington Dr.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5780
Grades: K-6
| 553 students
Show 100 more public schools in Monterey County, CA (out of 150 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 schools in Monterey County, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Monterey County, CA include Carmel High School, Robert Down Elementary School and Pacific Grove High School.
How many public schools are located in Monterey County, CA?
150 public schools are located in Monterey County, CA.
What percentage of students in Monterey County, CA go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Monterey County, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Monterey County, CA?
Monterey County, CA public schools minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

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