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Elementary Schools in Monterey, California: Monterey schools average 8.4 points above the state — but the range is 28.2 points wide.

Above Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 51.7/100

Monterey, California has 4 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 51.7/100 — 8.4 points above the state average of 43.2. The highest-scoring school is Big Sur Charter at 66/100, where 37.3% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Monterey schools average 28.6% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 10.4% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
51.7
State avg: 43.2
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
28.2
37.7 – 65.9
Avg Exceeded %
28.6%
State avg: 21.3%
Chronic Absenteeism
10.4%
State avg: 17.9%
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary4Solid
51.7/100
28.6%+8.4
High1Developing
48.9/100
20.0%+5.2

How Monterey schools compare

Monterey has 4 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 51.7/100 — 8.4 points above the state average of 43.2 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Big Sur Charter with a Scope Score of 66 and 37.3% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Monterey schools average 28.6% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.

Chronic absenteeism in Monterey averages 10.4% — below the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%

School archetypes in Monterey

1 Strong All-Around3 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in Monterey

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Big Sur Charter
Big Sur Unified Strong All-Around
37.3%Solid
66/100
2La Mesa
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
31.4%Solid
54/100
3Monterey High
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
20.0%Developing
49/100
4Monte Vista
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
29.8%Developing
49/100
5Bay View Academy
Monterey County Office of Education Building Momentum
15.9%Developing
38/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 5 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Monterey

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Monterey good?
Monterey's 4 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 51.7/100, which is 8.4 points above the state average. 28.6% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights seven dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), ELPAC proficiency (5%), suspension rate (5%), and baseline proficiency (3%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Monterey?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Monterey is Big Sur Charter with a Scope Score of 66/100 and 37.3% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Monterey schools compare to the state average?
Monterey elementary schools average a Scope Score of 51.7/100 — 8.4 points above the state average of 43.2. The exceeded rate averages 28.6% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 10.4% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Monterey?
Monterey has 4 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.