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Best Public Schools in Salinas, CA (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Salinas Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 66 public schools serving 37,692 students in Salinas, CA (there are 7 private schools, serving 1,508 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Salinas, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Salinas, CA are Lagunita Elementary School, Toro Park Elementary School and Washington Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Salinas, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Salinas have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Salinas, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lagunita Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
975 San Juan Grade Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 449-2800
Gr: K-6 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #22.
Toro Park Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
22500 Portola Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-9691
Gr: K-3 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
340 Corral De Tierra Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1331
Gr: 4-5 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #44.
San Benancio Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
43 San Benancio Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1172
Gr: 6-8 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #55.
Carr Lake Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Gr: 7-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #66.
Buena Vista Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
18250 Tara Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-8936
Gr: 6-8 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #77.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
705 California St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5625
Gr: K-6 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #88.
Graves Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
15 Mcfadden Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 422-6392
Gr: K-8 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #99.
Salinas High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
726 South Main St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7400
Gr: 9-12 | 2,380 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1010.
Alisal High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
777 Williams Rd.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7600
Gr: 9-12 | 2,742 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1111.
Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
680 Las Casitas Dr.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5770
Gr: K-6 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Wellington M. Smith Junior
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1420 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Gr: 4-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
New Republic Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
636 Arcadia Way
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7246
Gr: K-5 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1414.
Laurel Wood Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
645 Larkin St.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 753-5620
Gr: K-6 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1515.
Rancho San Juan High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 Rogge Rd.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 273-7700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,600 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1616.
Alisal Community
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1437 Del Monte Ave.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5720
Gr: K-6 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1717.
Washington Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
560 Iverson St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7100
Gr: 7-8 | 1,082 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1818.
Mission Park Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
403 West Acacia St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5635
Gr: K-6 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Everett Alvarez High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 Independence Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,978 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
North Salinas High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
55 Kip Dr.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,106 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2121.
John E. Steinbeck Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1714 Burlington Dr.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5780
Gr: K-6 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2222.
Monte Bella Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 Tuscany Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5700
Gr: K-6 | 812 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
Rank: #2323.
El Sausal Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1155 East Alisal St.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7200
Gr: 7-8 | 1,067 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2424.
University Park Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
833 West Acacia St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5655
Gr: K-6 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2525.
Monterey County Home Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0331
Gr: K-12 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2626.
Creekside Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1770 Kittery St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5252
Gr: K-6 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2727.
Salinas City Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1210 Tyler St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5677
Gr: K-6 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2828.
Los Padres Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1130 John St.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 753-5630
Gr: K-6 | 620 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1
Rank: #2929.
La Paz Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 North Sanborn Rd.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7900
Gr: 7-8 | 1,099 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #3030.
Boronda Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1114 Fontes Ln.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 753-5615
Gr: K-6 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3131.
Monterey Park Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
410 San Miguel Ave.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-5640
Gr: K-6 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3232.
Gavilan View Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
18250 Van Buren Ave.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7212
Gr: 6-8 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3333.
La Joya Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
55 Rogge Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7216
Gr: K-5 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3434.
Henry F. Kammann Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
521 Rochex St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-5665
Gr: K-6 | 743 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3535.
Boronda Meadows
(Math: 21% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
915 Larkin St.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 784-5400
Gr: K-6 | 620 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 97%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Salinas, CA?
The top-ranked public schools in Salinas, CA include Lagunita Elementary School, Toro Park Elementary School and Washington Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Salinas?
66 public schools are located in Salinas.
What percentage of students in Salinas go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Salinas are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Salinas?
Salinas public schools minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Salinas are often viewed compared to one another?

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