Photo: Sgerbic · CC BY-SA 4.0Salinas’s public schools score below 74% of California districts on tests and graduation
18% of students in Salinas’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Salinas, 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.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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.
Salinas’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 590 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Salinas’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 26% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 33% of tested students were proficient in reading and 18% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 98% 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 Salinas City Elementary $21,480, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
24 elementary schools, then four middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Oasis Charter Public, Monterey County Home Charter, Open Door Charter, Palma School (private), Sacred Heart School (private), Madonna del Sasso School (private), Anthem Christian School (private) and Notre Dame High School (private) are in town. Salinas City Virtual Academy, 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.
What’s behind Salinas’s grade
C: better than 26% of California school districts, #781 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Salinas, with each school’s own grade.
Parts of Salinas (14% and 3% of its land) are served by Santa Rita Union Elementary and Spreckels Union Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Salinas
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
Salinas vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Salinas’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Salinas | C | Salinas City Elementary K–6 · Alisal Union Elementary K–6 · Salinas Union High 7–12 |
Every school in Salinas
50 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).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Mission Trails ROP, Alisal Virtual Academy, Buckhorn Early Learning Center and Carr Lake Community Day).
Questions about Salinas’s schools
Are Salinas’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salinas children attend score below 74% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #781 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 Salinas in?
Salinas Union High School District, which runs grades 7–12 and enrolls 15,703 students in 12 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Salinas are served by Santa Rita Union Elementary and Spreckels Union Elementary.
Where do Salinas kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Alisal High, Salinas High, North Salinas High, Everett Alvarez High and Rancho San Juan High.
What is Salinas’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 Salinas spend per student?
$19,699 in Salinas Union High School District, $21,480 in Salinas City Elementary School District and $23,252 in Alisal Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Salinas?
Yes: Palma School (catholic · all-boys, grades 6–12, 487 students), Sacred Heart School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 348 students), Madonna del Sasso School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 252 students), Anthem Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 138 students) and Notre Dame High School (catholic · all-girls, grades 9–12, 130 students). Salinas also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Salinas families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Salinas → 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.