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KingCityHS-RobertStantonTheaterPhoto: Binksternet · Public domain
C−
Schools in King City · South Monterey County Joint Union High School District, King City Union Elementary School District

King City’s public schools score below 81% of California districts on tests and graduation

13% of students in King City’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving King City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#829of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
32%
▼ 15 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
13%
▼ 20 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
87%
▲ 1 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.3K
▼ 23% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · South Monterey County Joint Union High
Students per teacher
22.5
CA 21.6 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
3,753 students on the public path
In brief

King City’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 448 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of King City’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 19% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

King City runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares

Chalone Peaks Middle (6–8) is King City’s own. From grade 9, students attend the South Monterey County Joint Union High School District with Greenfield: King City High. The high school’s own results earn a B−, the highest on the path. See the path ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 32% of tested students were proficient in reading and 13% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

South Monterey County Joint Union High spends $16,342 per student and King City Union Elementary $18,334, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Hillsview Christian Academic School (private) is in town. Pinnacle Coastal Valley High, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind King City’s grade

C− Test scoresC+ Graduation

C−: better than 19% of California school districts, #829 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 19%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (448)Better than 6%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,326 test results and a graduating class of 654 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of King City’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,330 in math, 2,323 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve King City, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–8Chalone Peaks MiddleKing City Union Elementary School DistrictNo scores
9–12King City HighSouth Monterey County Joint Union High School DistrictB−

King City runs its own schools through grade 8 (King City Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the South Monterey County Joint Union High School District, shared with Greenfield. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve King City

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

South Monterey County Joint Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 4 schools · 2,665 students, down 3% since 2021–22 · 22.9 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$16,342CA $21,206 · FY2024
B−
King City Union Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 4 schools · 2,554 students · 22.1 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$18,334CA $21,206 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, South Monterey County Joint Union High School District51%
State average 46.7% · 626 students tested
Math · 9–12, South Monterey County Joint Union High School District12%
State average 33.1% · 630 students tested
Reading · K–8, King City Union Elementary School District25%
State average 46.7% · 1697 students tested
Math · K–8, King City Union Elementary School District13%
State average 33.1% · 1700 students tested

King City vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share King City’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
King CityC−King City Union Elementary K–8 · South Monterey County Joint Union High 9–12

Every school in King City

8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in King Cityby address
Del Rey Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
639 students22:1Rate it →
Santa Lucia Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
637 students23:1Rate it →
King City Arts Magnet
Elementary · Grades K–5
424 students22:1Rate it →
Chalone Peaks Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
854 students22:1Rate it →
King City High
High · Grades 9–12
B−
1,199 students22:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Portola-Butler Continuation High
High · Grades 9–12
D
Alternative Education
115 students16:1Rate it →
Online schools based in King Citynot counted as local schools
Pinnacle Coastal Valley High
High · Grades 9–12
OnlineAlternative Education
77 students20:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Hillsview Christian Academic School
Grades 1–12
Private · Religious
30 students10:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Special Education Preschool and Phoenix Academy Community Day).

Questions about King City’s schools

Are King City’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools King City children attend score below 81% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #829 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is King City in?

Two districts: King City Union Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and South Monterey County Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Greenfield.

Where do King City kids go to high school?

King City High, with 1,199 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is King City’s graduation rate?

87% of the class of 2023 in South Monterey County Joint Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does King City spend per student?

$16,342 in South Monterey County Joint Union High School District and $18,334 in King City Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in King City?

Yes: Hillsview Christian Academic School (religious, grades 1–12, 30 students).

Parents talk

What King City families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near King City → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.