Photo: Catalinaschool · CC BY 4.0Monterey’s public schools outscore 50% of California districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Monterey, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 21% of students in Monterey’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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.
Monterey’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 567 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Monterey’s, its schools beat 39%, lower than their 50% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,712 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 9 the district’s path is Monterey High. Enrollment is up 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bay View Academy, Big Sur Charter, Santa Catalina School (private), San Carlos School (private), Ryan Ranch Childrens Center Preschool (private), Trinity Christian High School (private) and Classical Christian Academy Monterey Bay (private) are in town. 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.
What’s behind Monterey’s grade
B−: better than 50% of California school districts, #484 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Monterey, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Monterey · depends on your address
La Mesa
Grades K–8 · 689 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monte Vista
Grades K–8 · 688 students · 24:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Monterey · depends on your address
La Mesa
Grades K–8 · 689 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monte Vista
Grades K–8 · 688 students · 24:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Monterey · depends on your address
La Mesa
Grades K–8 · 689 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monte Vista
Grades K–8 · 688 students · 24:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Monterey · depends on your address
La Mesa
Grades K–8 · 689 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monte Vista
Grades K–8 · 688 students · 24:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Monterey · depends on your address
La Mesa
Grades K–8 · 689 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monte Vista
Grades K–8 · 688 students · 24:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Monterey · depends on your address
La Mesa
Grades K–8 · 689 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monte Vista
Grades K–8 · 688 students · 24:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Monterey · depends on your address
La Mesa
Grades K–8 · 689 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monte Vista
Grades K–8 · 688 students · 24:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Monterey · depends on your address
La Mesa
Grades K–8 · 689 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monte Vista
Grades K–8 · 688 students · 24:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Monterey · depends on your address
La Mesa
Grades K–8 · 689 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monte Vista
Grades K–8 · 688 students · 24:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Monterey
Monterey High
Grades 9–12 · 1,401 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Monterey
Monterey High
Grades 9–12 · 1,401 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Monterey
Monterey High
Grades 9–12 · 1,401 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Monterey
Monterey High
Grades 9–12 · 1,401 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Monterey’s public schools are run by Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, which also serves Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Sand City and Seaside. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Monterey vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Monterey’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Monterey | B− | Monterey Peninsula Unified |
| Seaside | B− | Monterey Peninsula Unified |
| Del Rey Oaks | B− | Monterey Peninsula Unified |
| Pacific Grove | A | Pacific Grove Unified |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Monterey Peninsula Unified with Monterey, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Monterey
10 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).
Questions about Monterey’s schools
Are Monterey’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Monterey children attend outscore 50% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #484 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 39%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Monterey in?
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 9,308 students in 18 schools (2024–25).
Where do Monterey kids go to high school?
Monterey High, with 1,401 students.
What is Monterey’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Monterey Peninsula Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Monterey spend per student?
$20,712 in Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Monterey?
Yes: Santa Catalina School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 441 students), San Carlos School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 317 students), Ryan Ranch Childrens Center Preschool (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 116 students), Trinity Christian High School (religious, grades 5–12, 90 students) and Classical Christian Academy Monterey Bay (religious, grades K–2, 9 students). Monterey also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Monterey families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Monterey → 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.