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Monterey Peninsula Unified

Near Average2024–25 data14 schools · avg 39.8/100

Monterey Peninsula Unified has 14 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 39.8/100 — 4.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is La Mesa at 55/100, where 31.4% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $14,222 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 18.0%, near the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
39.8
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
30.6
24.5 – 55.1
Avg Exceeded %
13.3%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
18.0%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
14
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryDeveloping
38.4/100
1014.5%12.8%
HighDeveloping
43.4/100
410.1%30.8%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Monterey Peninsula Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
38.4
avg score · 10 schools
La Mesa
Solid
55/100
Ione Olson Elementary
Developing
49/100
Monte Vista
Developing
48/100
+7 more elementary schools
High
43.4
avg score · 4 schools
Monterey High
Solid
54/100
Seaside High
Developing
48/100
Marina High
Developing
45/100
+1 more high schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: Monterey Peninsula Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 43.4.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -7.5pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 30.6 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 18.0%, 0.2pp near the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 2.6%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: La Mesa leads the district at 55 with 31.4% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Monterey Peninsula Unified

5 Culture First1 On the Rise8 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in Monterey Peninsula Unified is classified as On the Rise — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

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

Student demographics

Hispanic
64.3%
White
17.4%
Asian
4.0%
Black
4.5%
Other
9.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch
68%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Monterey Peninsula Unified spends $14,222 per student in current expenditures — $592 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$14,222
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
9,403
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 20%
$11,849 → $14,222
Spending Efficiency
2.80
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 55%Support 42%Other 3%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$59,277–$119,682
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
514
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (10)

Monterey Peninsula Unified has 10 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 38.4 — 5.4 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -7.5pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is La Mesa with a Scope Score of 55 and 31.4% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScore
1La Mesa
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
Solid
55/100
2Ione Olson Elementary
Monterey Peninsula Unified Culture First
Developing
49/100
3Monte Vista
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
Developing
48/100
4J. C. Crumpton Elementary
Monterey Peninsula Unified Culture First
Developing
41/100
5Marina Vista Elementary
Monterey Peninsula Unified On the Rise
Developing
37/100
6George C. Marshall Elementary
Monterey Peninsula Unified Culture First
Developing
36/100
7Del Rey Woods Elementary
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
Developing
35/100
8Ord Terrace Elementary
Monterey Peninsula Unified Culture First
Developing
32/100
9Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula
Monterey Peninsula Unified Culture First
Needs Support
27/100
10Martin Luther King
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
Needs Support
25/100

High Schools (4)

Monterey Peninsula Unified has 4 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 43.4 — 4.1 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Monterey High with a Scope Score of 54 and 20.0% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScore
1Monterey High
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
Solid
54/100
2Seaside High
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
Developing
48/100
3Marina High
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
Developing
45/100
4Central Coast High
Monterey Peninsula Unified Building Momentum
Needs Support
26/100

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.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Monterey Peninsula Unified

  • 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Monterey Peninsula Unified a good school district?
Monterey Peninsula Unified has 14 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 39.8/100, which is 4.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. 13.3% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Monterey Peninsula Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Monterey Peninsula Unified is La Mesa with a Scope Score of 55/100 and 31.4% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Monterey Peninsula Unified spend per student?
Monterey Peninsula Unified spends $14,222 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Monterey Peninsula Unified?
Teacher salaries in Monterey Peninsula Unified range from $59,277–$119,682 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
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-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.