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Pacific Grove Unified

Above Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 65.7/100

Pacific Grove Unified has 4 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 65.7/100 — 21.9 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Pacific Grove High at 77/100, where 42.2% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $19,996 per student (above the state average of $14,815). 2 schools show positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.6%, below the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
65.7
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
21.2
55.9 – 77.1
Avg Exceeded %
38.3%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
15.6%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementarySolid
60.6/100
238.0%15.0%
MiddleSolid
64.3/100
135.0%17.0%
HighStrong
77.1/100
142.2%15.7%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Pacific Grove Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
60.6
avg score · 2 schools
Middle
64.3
avg score · 1 school
High
77.1
avg score · 1 school
Pacific Grove High
Strong
77/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Pacific Grove Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 77.1.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages +2.4pp (state avg: -3.0pp), suggesting schools are adding meaningful value.

Consistency: Score range of 21.2 points — showing notable variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 15.6%, 2.5pp above the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 1.1%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Pacific Grove High leads the district at 77 with 42.2% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Pacific Grove Unified

2 Growth Engine1 Strong All-Around1 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 2 schools in Pacific Grove Unified are classified as Growth Engine (2) — 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
23.9%
White
54.4%
Asian
7.0%
Black
1.2%
Other
13.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch
26%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Pacific Grove Unified spends $19,996 per student in current expenditures — $5,181 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$19,996
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
1,899
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 29%
$15,501 → $19,996
Spending Efficiency
3.28
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 62%Support 37%Other 1%
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
$69,029–$147,031
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
122
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (2)

Pacific Grove Unified has 2 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 60.6 — 16.9 points above the state average of 43.8.

District-wide growth averages +2.4pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Robert Down Elementary with a Scope Score of 65 and 43.5% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Robert Down Elementary
Pacific Grove Unified Building Momentum
43.5%Solid
65/100
2Forest Grove Elementary
Pacific Grove Unified Growth Engine
32.5%Solid
56/100

Middle Schools (1)

Pacific Grove Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 64.3 — 23.9 points above the state average of 40.5.

District-wide growth averages +6.4pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring middle school is Pacific Grove Middle with a Scope Score of 64 and 35.0% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Pacific Grove Middle
Pacific Grove Unified Growth Engine
35.0%Solid
64/100

High Schools (1)

Pacific Grove Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 77.1 — 29.6 points above the state average of 47.5. 1 of 1 high schools score above 70.

The highest-scoring high school is Pacific Grove High with a Scope Score of 77 and 42.2% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Pacific Grove High
Pacific Grove Unified Strong All-Around
42.2%Strong
77/100

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 Pacific Grove 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 Pacific Grove Unified a good school district?
Pacific Grove Unified has 4 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 65.7/100, which is 21.9 points above the California state average of 43.8. 38.3% 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 Pacific Grove Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Pacific Grove Unified is Pacific Grove High with a Scope Score of 77/100 and 42.2% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Pacific Grove Unified spend per student?
Pacific Grove Unified spends $19,996 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 Pacific Grove Unified?
Teacher salaries in Pacific Grove Unified range from $69,029–$147,031 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.