For the 2025 school year, there are 45 public middle schools serving 17,126 students in Monterey County, CA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Monterey County, CA are Carmel Middle School, Pacific Grove Middle School and San Benancio Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Monterey County, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Monterey County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Monterey County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Carmel Middle School
(Math: 59% | 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: #22.
Pacific Grove Middle School
(Math: 53% | 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: #33.
San Benancio Middle School
(Math: 48% | 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: #44.
La Mesa
(Math: 49% | 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: #55.
Big Sur Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
304 Foam St.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 324-4573
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 324-4573
Grades: K-12
| 89 students
Rank: #66.
Monterey Bay Charter
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1004 David Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-4638
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-4638
Grades: K-8
| 478 students
Rank: #77.
Monte Vista
(Math: 42% | 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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
Buena Vista Middle School
(Math: 33% | 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: #1111.
Mission Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | 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: #1212.
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: #1313.
International School Of Monterey
Charter School
(Math: 31% | 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: #1414.
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: #1515.
Bradley Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
65600 Dixie St.
Bradley, CA 93426
(805) 472-2310
Bradley, CA 93426
(805) 472-2310
Grades: K-8
| 39 students
Rank: #1616.
Chualar Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
24285 Lincoln St.
Chualar, CA 93925
(831) 679-2313
Chualar, CA 93925
(831) 679-2313
Grades: K-8
| 262 students
Rank: #1717.
Bay View Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
222 Casa Verde Ave.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 717-4630
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 717-4630
Grades: K-8
| 497 students
Rank: #1818.
Aromas
(Math: 28% | 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: #1919.
Wellington M. Smith Junior
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1420 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Grades: 4-12
| 34 students
Rank: #2020.
Bitterwater-tully Elementary School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 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: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Dual Language Academy Of The Monterey Peninsula
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1650 Sonoma Ave.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-1100
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-1100
Grades: K-8
| 340 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Washington Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
560 Iverson St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7100
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7100
Grades: 7-8
| 1,068 students
Rank: #2323.
El Sausal Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1155 East Alisal St.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7200
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7200
Grades: 7-8
| 1,051 students
Rank: #2424.
Monterey County Home Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0331
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0331
Grades: K-12
| 254 students
Rank: #2525.
La Paz Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1300 North Sanborn Rd.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7900
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7900
Grades: 7-8
| 1,160 students
Rank: #2626.
Seaside Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
999 Coe Ave.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-7080
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-7080
Grades: 7-8
| 532 students
Rank: #2727.
San Antonio Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
67550 Lockwood/jolon Rd.
Lockwood, CA 93932
(831) 385-3051
Lockwood, CA 93932
(831) 385-3051
Grades: K-8
| 144 students
Rank: #2828.
Gavilan View Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
18250 Van Buren Ave.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7212
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7212
Grades: 6-8
| 568 students
Rank: #2929.
Harden Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1561 Mckinnon St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7300
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7300
Grades: 7-8
| 1,127 students
Rank: #3030.
John Gutierrez Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1031 Rogge Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-3300
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-3300
Grades: 6-8
| 605 students
Rank: #3131.
San Lucas Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
53675 San Benito St.
San Lucas, CA 93954
(831) 382-4426
San Lucas, CA 93954
(831) 382-4426
Grades: K-8
| 78 students
Rank: #3232.
Los Arboles Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
294 Hillcrest Ave.
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 384-3550
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 384-3550
Grades: 7-8
| 421 students
Rank: #3333.
North Monterey County Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
10301 Seymour St.
Castroville, CA 95012
(831) 633-3391
Castroville, CA 95012
(831) 633-3391
Grades: 7-8
| 639 students
Rank: #3434.
Monterey Peninsula Unf Sch Dist Com Day Middle School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 Coe Ave.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-3822
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-3822
Grades: 6-8
| 3 students
Rank: #3535.
Vista Verde Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1199 Elm Ave.
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-1420
Greenfield, CA 93927
(831) 674-1420
Grades: 7-8
| 690 students
Show 10 more public schools in Monterey County, CA (out of 45 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
1700 Via Casoli
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1744
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-1744
Grades: K-6
| 197 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 middle schools in Monterey County, CA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Monterey County, CA include Carmel Middle School, Pacific Grove Middle School and San Benancio Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Monterey County?
45 public middle schools are located in Monterey County.
What is the racial composition of students in Monterey County?
Monterey County public middle schools minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Monterey County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Monterey County include: Gavilan View Middle School vs. John Gutierrez Middle School, San Benancio Middle School vs. Buena Vista Middle School, Big Sur Charter vs. Bay View Academy
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