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Salinas Union High

Near Average2024–25 data7 schools · avg 45.5/100

Salinas Union High has 7 ranked schools across high levels with an average Scope Score of 45.5/100 — 1.8 points near 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. The district spends $13,447 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 26.2%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
45.5
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
39.0
22.1 – 61.1
Avg Exceeded %
11.2%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
26.2%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
7
With Scope Scores

District Analysis

Consistency: Score range of 39.0 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 26.2%, 8.0pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 3.5%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Salinas High leads the district at 61 with 23.7% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Salinas Union High

1 Strong All-Around6 Building Momentum

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

Student demographics

Hispanic
93.2%
White
3.3%
Asian
0.4%
Black
0.7%
Other
2.4%
Free/Reduced Lunch
94%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Salinas Union High spends $13,447 per student in current expenditures — $1,367 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$13,447
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
16,423
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 12.7%
$11,928 → $13,447
Spending Efficiency
3.39
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 60%Support 38%Other 2%
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
$61,054–$143,305
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
879
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

High Schools (7)

Salinas Union High has 7 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 45.5 — 1.9 points near the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Salinas High with a Scope Score of 61 and 23.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Salinas High
Salinas Union High Strong All-Around
6123.7%51.6%13.0%2.8%
2Rancho San Juan High
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
5714.5%38.4%17.2%1.7%
3Alisal High
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
5314.2%38.4%12.5%3.5%
4North Salinas High
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
5210.9%32.6%15.5%2.1%
5Everett Alvarez High
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
509.9%31.3%18.4%4.7%
6Mount Toro High
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
231.0%3.4%46.8%8.9%
7El Puente
Salinas Union High Building Momentum
224.3%18.3%59.8%1.0%

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 Salinas Union High

  • 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 Salinas Union High a good school district?
Salinas Union High has 7 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 45.5/100, which is 1.8 points near the California state average of 43.8. 11.2% 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 Salinas Union High?
The highest-scoring school in Salinas Union High is Salinas High with a Scope Score of 61/100 and 23.7% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Salinas Union High spend per student?
Salinas Union High spends $13,447 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 Salinas Union High?
Teacher salaries in Salinas Union High range from $61,054–$143,305 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.