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Prunedale Pop Sign 101 NorthPhoto: Calbear22 · Public domain
C+
Schools in Prunedale · Salinas Union High School District, North Monterey County Unified School District

Prunedale’s public schools score below 64% of California districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 15% of Prunedale’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Prunedale, 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.

#665of 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
38%
▼ 8 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
15%
▼ 18 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
82%
▼ 4 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.7K
▼ 7% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Salinas Union High
Students per teacher
21.4
CA 21.6
Schools in town
5
7,369 students on the public path
In brief

Prunedale’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 566 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Prunedale’s, its schools beat 18%, lower than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Salinas Union High spends $19,699 per student and North Monterey County Unified $20,580, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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 Prunedale’s grade

C Test scoresC− Graduation

C+: better than 36% of California school districts, #665 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 36%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (566)Better than 18%
CC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 9,536 test results and a graduating class of 2,906 could put Prunedale anywhere from C to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Prunedale’s students in the tested grades sat them (9,572 in math, 9,500 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–62 schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
7–85 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–12North Monterey County HighNorth Monterey County Unified School DistrictNo scores

Prunedale runs its own schools through grade 12 (North Monterey County Unified School District). From grade 7, students attend the Salinas Union High School District, shared with Marina and Salinas. Its middle school is in Salinas. Parts of Prunedale (20% and 18% of its land) are served by Lagunita Elementary and Aromas-San Juan Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Prunedale

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

Salinas Union High School DistrictGrades 7–12 · 12 schools · 15,703 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 21.1 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$19,699CA $21,206 · FY2024
C+
North Monterey County Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 8 schools · 4,289 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 22.2 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$20,580CA $21,206 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · 7–12, Salinas Union High School District42%
State average 46.7% · 7163 students tested
Math · 7–12, Salinas Union High School District17%
State average 33.1% · 7229 students tested
Reading · K–12, North Monterey County Unified School District27%
State average 46.7% · 2337 students tested
Math · K–12, North Monterey County Unified School District10%
State average 33.1% · 2343 students tested

Prunedale vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PrunedaleC+North Monterey County Unified K–12 · Salinas Union High 7–12

Every school in Prunedale

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).

District schools in Prunedaleby address
Prunedale Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Salinas
644 students24:1Rate it →
Echo Valley Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Salinas
502 students23:1Rate it →
North Monterey County High
High · Grades 9–12 · Castroville
1,250 students22:1Rate it →
Also serving Prunedalein other towns
Harden Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Salinas
1,101 students21:1Rate it →
La Paz Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Salinas
1,099 students20:1Rate it →
Washington Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Salinas
1,082 students21:1Rate it →
El Sausal Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Salinas
1,067 students22:1Rate it →
North Monterey County Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Castroville
624 students21:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
North Monterey County Center for Independent Study
High · Grades 7–12 · Salinas
Alternative Education
96 students23:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Prunedalerun by other districts or the state
Lagunita Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Salinas
62 students12:1Rate it →

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

Questions about Prunedale’s schools

Are Prunedale’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Prunedale children attend score below 64% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #665 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 18%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Prunedale in?

Two districts: North Monterey County Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Salinas Union High School District runs grades 7–12, shared with Marina and Salinas.

Where do Prunedale kids go to high school?

North Monterey County High in Castroville, with 1,250 students.

What is Prunedale’s graduation rate?

82% of the class of 2023 in Salinas Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Prunedale spend per student?

$19,699 in Salinas Union High School District and $20,580 in North Monterey County Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Prunedale families are saying about school.

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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.