Seaside’s public schools outscore 50% of California districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Seaside, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 21% of students in Seaside’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.
Seaside’s schools, in brief
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 ↓
Five elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
International School of Monterey, Monterey Bay Christian School (private) and Chartwell School (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 Seaside’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 Seaside, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Seaside · depends on your address
Seaside Middle
Grades 7–8 · 521 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula
Grades K–8 · 410 students · 23:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Seaside · depends on your address
Seaside Middle
Grades 7–8 · 521 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula
Grades K–8 · 410 students · 23:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Seaside
Seaside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,073 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Seaside
Seaside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,073 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Seaside
Seaside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,073 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Seaside
Seaside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,073 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Seaside’s public schools are run by Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, which also serves Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey and Sand City. 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
Seaside vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Seaside’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Seaside | B− | Monterey Peninsula Unified |
| Monterey | B− | Monterey Peninsula Unified |
| Sand City | — | Monterey Peninsula Unified |
| Del Rey Oaks | B− | Monterey Peninsula Unified |
| Marina | C+ | Monterey Peninsula Unified K–12 · Salinas Union High 7–12 |
All 4 neighbors share Monterey Peninsula Unified with Seaside, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Seaside
11 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: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Community Day, Monterey Peninsula UNF SCH DIST COM Day MID and Seaside Children's Center).
Questions about Seaside’s schools
Are Seaside’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Seaside 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 47%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Seaside in?
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 9,308 students in 18 schools (2024–25).
Where do Seaside kids go to high school?
Seaside High, with 1,073 students.
What is Seaside’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 Seaside 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 Seaside?
Yes: Monterey Bay Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 206 students) and Chartwell School (special education, grades 1–12, 191 students). Seaside also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Seaside families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Seaside → 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.