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Elementary Schools in Salinas, California

Below Average2024–25 data48 schools · avg 34.7/100

Salinas, California has 48 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 34.7/100 — 9.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Salinas High at 61/100, where 23.7% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Salinas schools average 9.0% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 20.2% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
34.7
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
44.3
16.9 – 61.1
Avg Exceeded %
9.0%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
20.2%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
48
With Scope Scores

How Salinas schools compare

Salinas's 48 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 34.7 — 9.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 16.9 to 61.1, a 44.3-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Salinas High with a Scope Score of 61 and 23.7% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Salinas averages 20.2%, which is below the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Salinas

8 Culture First1 Strong All-Around39 Building Momentum

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

Schools in Salinas ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Salinas High
Salinas Union High Strong All-Around
23.7%Solid
61/100
2San Benancio Middle
Washington Union Elementary Building Momentum
30.0%Solid
57/100
3Rancho San Juan High
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
14.5%Solid
57/100
4Alisal High
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
14.2%Solid
53/100
5North Salinas High
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
10.9%Solid
52/100
6Everett Alvarez High
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
9.9%Solid
50/100
7Lincoln Elementary
Salinas City Elementary Culture First
18.5%Solid
50/100
8North Monterey County Center for Independent Study
North Monterey County Unified Building Momentum
11.8%Developing
50/100
9Buena Vista Middle
Spreckels Union Elementary Culture First
17.2%Developing
47/100
10Monte Bella Elementary
Alisal Union Building Momentum
14.4%Developing
43/100
11Boronda Elementary
Salinas City Elementary Culture First
11.7%Developing
42/100
12Lagunita Elementary
Lagunita Elementary Building Momentum
8.3%Developing
38/100
13Alisal Community
Alisal Union Building Momentum
13.5%Developing
38/100
14La Joya Elementary
Santa Rita Union Elementary Culture First
11.7%Developing
37/100
15Dr. Oscar F. Loya Elementary
Alisal Union Building Momentum
7.3%Developing
37/100
16New Republic Elementary
Santa Rita Union Elementary Building Momentum
9.7%Developing
36/100
17Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary
Alisal Union Building Momentum
7.6%Developing
36/100
18John E. Steinbeck Elementary
Alisal Union Building Momentum
12.4%Developing
35/100
19Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy
Alisal Union Culture First
8.8%Developing
35/100
20Salinas City Virtual Academy
Salinas City Elementary Building Momentum
9.8%Developing
35/100
21Creekside Elementary
Alisal Union Building Momentum
10.1%Developing
35/100
22Los Padres Elementary
Salinas City Elementary Culture First
7.1%Developing
34/100
23Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
Alisal Union Building Momentum
9.2%Developing
34/100
24Mission Park Elementary
Salinas City Elementary Building Momentum
12.4%Developing
34/100
25Bardin Elementary
Alisal Union Building Momentum
6.1%Developing
33/100
26McKinnon
Santa Rita Union Elementary Building Momentum
6.8%Developing
32/100
27Prunedale Elementary
North Monterey County Unified Building Momentum
8.3%Developing
32/100
28John Gutierrez Middle
Santa Rita Union Elementary Building Momentum
5.8%Developing
32/100
29Laurel Wood Elementary
Salinas City Elementary Building Momentum
7.9%Developing
31/100
30Sherwood Elementary
Salinas City Elementary Building Momentum
5.6%Developing
31/100

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.

Private Schools in Salinas

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Palma School
Roman Catholic · Grades 6-12 · 457 students
15:1Private
Sacred Heart School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 337 students
20:1Private
Notre Dame High School
Roman Catholic · Grades 9-12 · 177 students
9:1Private
Anthem Christian School
Amish · Grades Pre-K-8 · 174 students
17:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Salinas

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Salinas good?
Salinas's 48 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 34.7/100, which is 9.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. 9.0% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Salinas?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Salinas is Salinas High with a Scope Score of 61/100 and 23.7% 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 Salinas schools compare to the state average?
Salinas elementary schools average a Scope Score of 34.7 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (9.1 points below). The exceeded rate averages 9.0% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 20.2% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 16.9 to 61.1, a 44.3-point spread.
How many schools are in Salinas?
Salinas has 48 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 six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner 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.

Related

All California SchoolsTop Schools in SalinasSalinas Union HighWashington Union ElementarySalinas City ElementaryNorth Monterey County UnifiedSpreckels Union ElementaryAlisal UnionLagunita ElementarySanta Rita Union ElementaryMonterey County Office of Education

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