For the 2025 school year, there are 66 public schools serving 38,207 students in Salinas, CA (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,022 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Salinas, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Salinas, CA are Lagunita Elementary School, Toro Park Elementary School and Washington Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Salinas, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Salinas have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Salinas, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lagunita Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
975 San Juan Grade Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 449-2800
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 449-2800
Gr: K-6 | 61 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #22.
Toro Park Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
22500 Portola Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-9691
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-9691
Gr: K-3 | 331 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: 4-5 | 155 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 260 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: 7-12 | 31 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #66.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 333 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #77.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
705 California St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5625
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5625
Gr: K-6 | 644 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: K-8 | 35 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #99.
Salinas High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
726 South Main St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7400
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7400
Gr: 9-12 | 2,446 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1010.
Alisal High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
777 Williams Rd.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7600
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7600
Gr: 9-12 | 2,791 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1111.
Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
680 Las Casitas Dr.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5770
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5770
Gr: K-6 | 510 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
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
Gr: 4-12 | 34 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1313.
New Republic Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
636 Arcadia Way
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7246
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7246
Gr: K-5 | 497 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1414.
Laurel Wood Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
645 Larkin St.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 753-5620
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 753-5620
Gr: K-6 | 405 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1515.
Rancho San Juan High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Rogge Rd.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 273-7700
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 273-7700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,658 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1616.
Alisal Community
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1437 Del Monte Ave.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5720
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5720
Gr: K-6 | 582 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1
Rank: #1717.
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
Gr: 7-8 | 1,068 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1818.
Mission Park Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
403 West Acacia St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5635
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5635
Gr: K-6 | 619 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Everett Alvarez High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1900 Independence Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7800
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7800
Gr: 9-12 | 2,072 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
North Salinas High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
55 Kip Dr.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7500
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,125 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2121.
John E. Steinbeck Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1714 Burlington Dr.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5780
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5780
Gr: K-6 | 500 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2222.
Monte Bella Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Tuscany Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5700
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5700
Gr: K-6 | 807 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
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
Gr: 7-8 | 1,051 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
Rank: #2424.
University Park Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
833 West Acacia St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5655
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5655
Gr: K-6 | 482 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2525.
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
Gr: K-12 | 254 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2626.
Creekside Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1770 Kittery St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5252
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5252
Gr: K-6 | 536 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2727.
Salinas City Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1210 Tyler St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5677
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5677
Gr: K-6 | 111 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2828.
Los Padres Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1130 John St.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5630
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5630
Gr: K-6 | 676 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
Rank: #2929.
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
Gr: 7-8 | 1,160 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
Rank: #3030.
Boronda Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1114 Fontes Ln.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 784-2231
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 784-2231
Gr: K-6 | 272 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #3131.
Monterey Park Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
410 San Miguel Ave.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5640
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5640
Gr: K-6 | 529 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #3232.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 568 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3333.
La Joya Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
55 Rogge Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7216
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7216
Gr: K-5 | 519 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3434.
Henry F. Kammann Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
521 Rochex St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5665
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5665
Gr: K-6 | 713 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3535.
Boronda Meadows
(Math: 21% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
915 Larkin St.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 784-5400
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 784-5400
Gr: K-6 | 600 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Show 31 more public schools in Salinas, CA (out of 66 total schools)
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Salinas, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Baldwin Park Community Day (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
1121-a Baldwin St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-6080
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-6080
Gr: K-6 | 18 students Minority enrollment: 89%
Boronda Community Day (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
1114 Fontes Ln.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 751-3142
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 751-3142
Gr: 4-7 | 6 students
1900 Independence Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7810
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7810
Gr: 9-12 | 2,184 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
8515 Prunedale North Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 663-1777
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 663-1777
Gr: K-12 | 924 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Millennium Charter High School (Closed 2020)
Charter School
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Gr: 9-12 | 129 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Salinas, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Salinas, CA include Lagunita Elementary School, Toro Park Elementary School and Washington Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Salinas?
66 public schools are located in Salinas.
What percentage of students in Salinas go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Salinas are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Salinas?
Salinas public schools minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Salinas are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Salinas include: Gavilan View Middle School vs. John Gutierrez Middle School, Creekside Elementary School vs. John E. Steinbeck Elementary School, Everett Alvarez High School vs. Alisal High School
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