2023 Best Schools in Salinas

• Monterey, CA•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  69 reviews

Parent: As a former student and now current parent of a York student, I can't emphasize enough how diversity, creativity, and an independent mindset continues to be forged at this gem of a school here on the Central Coast. Preparing students to not only sustain but innovate and lead the next generation of professionals and thinkers continues to be alive and well, fostered in the most sublime and discreet environment imaginable. Balanced offerings of academia, campus culture, after school clubs, and competitive individual and team sports, keep the student experience rich and robust. Our daughter's public school background was of no hinderance as she has been thriving since first stepping foot on campus, growing with confidence and broadening her mindset, looking forward to opportunity.... Read 69 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 200

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Salinas, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  85 reviews

Niche User: Notre Dame is special because you are provided small, challenging classes with hands-on learning. I can tell the teachers love what they teach and are always willing to answer questions whether in class or during tutorial after school. I also enjoy the sports and clubs that Notre Dame provides. I’ve never even heard of field hockey before I came to Notre Dame, or thought I would join a club that teaches you how to do origami. I overall feel like what makes Notre Dame unique is the close sisterhood. When a student is feeling down, we all try to make their day better whether we know them or not. As a freshman, I am truly blessed to go to a high school that provides an academic rigor, faith, and a variety of sports that provide me the best high-school experience possible. Go Spirits!... Read 85 reviews

• grade A

• Students 222

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Salinas, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  83 reviews

Senior: I've been at Palma for six years: junior high and all of high school. I love it! It's the best educational decision my parents ever made, so far. Palma Brotherhood is a real thing. I love all the guys here, and my teachers.... Read 83 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 479

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Salinas Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  395 reviews

Senior: So far, I have lived going to Salinas High. I have been able to make great friends, and for the most part, my teachers have been great! At sports games, the energy is amazing, and football games are by far my favorite to attend. With that being said, I also am not a fan of how the bathrooms are. During lunch, many of the bathrooms are closed, which is very annoying, as most people actually use the bathrooms for their correct purpose. Also, not all of my teachers have been the greatest. But overall, Salinas High is a great school!... Read 395 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 2,660

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Spreckels Union Elementary School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.67 out of 5  3 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 336

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Spreckels Union Elementary School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade B+

• Students 619

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Monterey County Office of Education, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: My experience in this school since I transferred in April 2022 has been great. The teachers are understandable and they actually care about their student's education and well being.... Read 5 reviews

• grade B

• Students 277

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Salinas Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  375 reviews

Senior: I’ve always been told that North High was a “bad school”. I didn’t know why at the time but I soon realized it was because some kids would often misbehave. So, obviously starting high school was scary for me; I didn’t know what would be waiting for me at a new school. Let me just tell you, North High exceeded my expectations. No school is perfect of course but my experience was the best here. I loved meeting new friends and teachers, I definitely created life long memories!... Read 375 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 2,144

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Salinas Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  459 reviews

Alum: Although most of my experience in high school was taken away due to the pandemic, I had a great experience at my high school. Most teachers would help me and accommodate my needs and concerns when necessary. The school spirit is astounding and helps make school activities memorable and fun. The highlight of this high school is the college and career readiness program. This program has helped me, and other students, tremendously in figuring out plans after high school, whether attending a four-year university or joining the workforce. For example, there is a week specifically for college readiness, in which staff would help us with college applications and applying for FAFSA. A problem I did have with the school was some of the administration members and their attitudes towards certain groups of people. Sports like the cross country team would get forgotten in the athletic department and would not have as much funding as other sports, regardless of a large amount of participation.... Read 459 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 3,042

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Salinas Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  17 reviews

Senior: At Rancho San Juan we have been able to create an extremely welcoming and comfortable environment. The teachers and administrators constantly work towards the better of not only the students education but also their experience. Rancho is a newly opened high school, we have been able to create traditions and firmly lay the foundations of the school as graduating classes. Because we are a new school we do not have all of the resources an older school would have, so I do see this as a disadvantage for our students. Despite the resources disadvantage, we do have teachers here on campus that go above and beyond to prepare their student for after high school education and paths. The school engages with the student a lot, and we have a variety of clubs and courses that are attractive to all types of students, and staff members on campus. Overall, Rancho is doing an amazing job preparing, and educating their students while also allowing them to make life long unforgettable memories.... Read 17 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,249

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Santa Rita Union Elementary School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade B minus

• Students 563

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Salinas Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  552 reviews

Junior: My junior year was definitely challenging but also very active and fun. From arguing Jefferson and Hamilton's ideas in AP US History to the many engaging labs in AP Biology (the electrophoresis and rat dissection labs being my absolute favorite). I even had the interesting realization that I like making art! I pay my gratitude to the teachers. I could feel their dedication to teaching the subjects every single time I enter the classroom. It was highlighted that whatever we were doing that day was of value. Not even once did I feel like I was wasting my time. Consequently, I never thought I could learn as much as I did. In addition, I never felt limited with my resources. Every help for students was definitely there as long as you ask. Junior year reminded me why I enjoyed going to school. It was a great academic experience with a community that showed how much they truly support you.... Read 552 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 2,246

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Alisal Union School District, CA•

• K-6

• grade C+

• Students 565

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Salinas Union High School District, CA•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  1 review

• grade C+

• Students 1,168

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Salinas City Elementary School District, CA•

• K-6

• grade C+

• Students 564

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Alisal Union School District, CA•

• K-6

• grade C

• Students 620

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Salinas City Elementary School District, CA•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Alum: My experience at Mission Park was very good. I felt like the teachers really pushed us to do good, and were always challenging us to be better. It was a very interactive learning experience with a science lab, where we did experiments, a computer lab that taught us how to type, music, and art class. There were plenty of after school activies such as basketball, volleyball, cheer, Paton, and dance class. Mission Park is a very friendly environment with little to no bullying. But I would like to see them add Spanish to the course, because it’s important to know two languages and children being taught it at a young age would better prepare us for high school where we have to take a language class to graduate.... Read 1 review

• grade C

• Students 610

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Salinas Union High School District, CA•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  11 reviews

High School Freshman: I had really great teachers and friends those years.... Read 11 reviews

• grade C

• Students 1,194

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Santa Rita Union Elementary School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade C

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Santa Rita Union Elementary School District, CA•

• 6-8

• grade C

• Students 665

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Salinas Union High School District, CA•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  4 reviews

Middle School Student: La Paz middle school was so much fun. The only trouble I had was with some teachers they expected too much from us to begin with.... Read 4 reviews

• grade C

• Students 1,194

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Salinas Union High School District, CA•

• 7-8

• grade C

• Students 1,079

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, CA•

• K-8

• grade C

• Students 374

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Alisal Union School District, CA•

• K-6

• grade C

• Students 739

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Santa Rita Union Elementary School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Alum: It is a great school. Love the teachers, they have great programs and have a good amount of students unlike other middle schools where they have to much and can’t handle them.... Read 1 review

• grade C

• Students 677

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1