Best Schools in Big Sur, California
2 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Big Sur?
Use this page to compare every school in Big Sur by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Captain Cooper Elementary
Elementary · Carmel Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,803,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,803,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +27.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Big Sur schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Big Sur
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (1 of 2). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Captain Cooper Elementary | 6.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $72,540
- Median home value
- $1,803,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 38%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Big Sur compares
Median household income
$73k
73% of California median
About Schools in Big Sur, California
Big Sur, California is home to 2 schools, including 2 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Big Sur show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Big Sur is Captain Cooper Elementary with a composite score of 6.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Big Sur is served by 2 school districts: Big Sur Unified, Carmel Unified. These districts collectively serve 2,177 students.
Big Sur's community shows 37% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,540. The poverty rate in the area is 13.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
Schools in Big Sur
Big Sur, California · 2 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$72,540
Median Home Value
$1,803,800
Median Rent
$1,085/mo
Population
1,564
College Educated
37%
Homeownership
38%
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Community Profile
Big Sur has a median household income of $72,540. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,803,800, with a median rent of $1,085/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Big Sur, California
How many schools are in Big Sur, California?
Big Sur has 2 schools, including 2 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Big Sur, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Big Sur is 6.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Big Sur, California?
The top-ranked school in Big Sur on MySchoolScout is Captain Cooper Elementary with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Big Sur, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Big Sur on MySchoolScout is Captain Cooper Elementary with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Big Sur, California?
Big Sur is served by 2 school districts: Big Sur Unified, Carmel Unified.
What is the education level in Big Sur, California?
According to Census data, 37% of adults in Big Sur have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Big Sur, California?
The median household income in Big Sur is approximately $72,540 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Big Sur, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Big Sur is 6.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Big Sur, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.