Best Schools in Monterey, California
16 schools · 8 Elementary · 6 High · 2 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $110,669
- Median home value
- $1,039,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 43%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Monterey compares
California rank
#279 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$111k
111% of California median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Monterey, California
Monterey, California is home to 16 schools, including 6 public schools and 10 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, , and 6 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Monterey show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Monterey is Santa Catalina School with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Monterey is served by 3 school districts: Bay View Academy District, Big Sur Charter District, Monterey Peninsula Unified. These districts collectively serve 9,838 students.
Monterey's community shows 54% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $110,669. The poverty rate in the area is 9.9%.
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
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 651 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | 496 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.4 | ||
| 3 | 654 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.2 | ||
| 4 | 497 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.4 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | SAN CARLOS SCHOOL
Private
274 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 7 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | San Carlos Elementary
Private
269 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 16 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,326 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 | ||
| Private Schools 5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | YORK SCHOOL
Private
181 students · 8th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
Private
89 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Sojourner Academy
Private
7 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Santa Catalina School
Private
439 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Catherine Dior School
Private
12 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 89 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL
Private
456 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Monterey
Monterey, California · 16 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$110,669
Median Home Value
$1,039,700
Median Rent
$2,305/mo
Population
30,951
College Educated
54%
Homeownership
43%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Community Profile
Monterey has a median household income of $110,669. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,039,700, with a median rent of $2,305/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 16
- Elementary
- 8
- High
- 6
- Districts
- 3
- Avg Rating
- 6.4/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Monterey, California
How many schools are in Monterey, California?
Monterey has 16 schools, including 6 public and 10 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Monterey, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Monterey is 6.4 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Monterey, California?
The top-ranked school in Monterey on MySchoolScout is Santa Catalina School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Monterey, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Monterey on MySchoolScout is San Carlos School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best high school in Monterey, California?
The top-ranked high school in Monterey on MySchoolScout is Monterey High with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Monterey, California?
Monterey is served by 3 school districts: Bay View Academy District, Big Sur Charter District, Monterey Peninsula Unified.
What is the education level in Monterey, California?
According to Census data, 54% of adults in Monterey have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Monterey, California?
The median household income in Monterey is approximately $110,669 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Monterey, California?
Yes, Monterey has 10 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Santa Catalina School with a score of 8.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Monterey, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Monterey is 14.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Monterey, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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.