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Pacific Grove, California - 2022 5Photo: dconvertini · CC BY-SA 2.0
A
Schools in Pacific Grove · Pacific Grove Unified School District

Pacific Grove’s public schools outscore 87% of California districts

On the state math tests, 57% of Pacific Grove’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pacific Grove, 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.

#99of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
74%
▲ 27 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
57%
▲ 24 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 1–3 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$28.3K
▲ 34% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.8
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
1,737 students on the public path
In brief

Pacific Grove’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 552 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pacific Grove’s, its schools beat 97%, higher than their 87% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 74% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $28,332 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Pacific Grove Middle, then Pacific Grove High. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Monterey Bay Charter is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Pacific Grove’s grade

A Test scoresC+ Graduation

A: better than 87% of California school districts, #99 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 87%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (552)Better than 97%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 938 test results and a graduating class of 154 could put Pacific Grove anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Pacific Grove’s students in the tested grades sat them (937 in math, 938 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–8Pacific Grove MiddlePacific Grove Unified School DistrictNo scores
9–12Pacific Grove HighPacific Grove Unified School DistrictNo scores

Pacific Grove’s public schools are run by Pacific Grove Unified School District. 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.

Pacific Grove Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 5 schools · 1,749 students, down 8% since 2020–21 · 16.8 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$28,332CA $21,206 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading74%
State average 46.7% · 938 students tested
Math57%
State average 33.1% · 937 students tested

Pacific Grove vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Pacific Grove’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Pacific GroveAPacific Grove Unified
MontereyB−Monterey Peninsula Unified

Every school in Pacific Grove

5 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 Pacific Groveby address
Robert Down Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
422 students18:1Rate it →
Forest Grove Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
324 students17:1Rate it →
Pacific Grove Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
439 students17:1Rate it →
Pacific Grove High
High · Grades 9–12
552 students16:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Monterey Bay Charter
Elementary · Grades K–8
B+
Charter
475 students28:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Community High (Continuation)).

Questions about Pacific Grove’s schools

Are Pacific Grove’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Pacific Grove children attend outscore 87% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #99 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 97%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Pacific Grove in?

Pacific Grove Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,749 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Pacific Grove kids go to high school?

Pacific Grove High, with 552 students.

What is Pacific Grove’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Pacific Grove Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Pacific Grove spend per student?

$28,332 in Pacific Grove Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Pacific Grove families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pacific Grove → 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.