Best Schools in Pacific Grove, California
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Pacific Grove?
Use this page to compare every school in Pacific Grove 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.
Robert Down Elementary
Elementary · Pacific Grove Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pacific Grove High
High · Pacific Grove Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pacific Grove Middle
Middle · Pacific Grove Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pacific Grove for 2026 are Robert Down Elementary (8.9/10), Pacific Grove High (8.4/10), and Pacific Grove Middle (8.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,129,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$1,129,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Pacific Grove schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Pacific Grove
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Down Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Pacific Grove High | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Pacific Grove Middle | 8.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Forest Grove Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Monterey Bay Charter | 7.4 / 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
- 8.1/10
- Median household income
- $105,568
- Median home value
- $1,129,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 59%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pacific Grove compares
California rank
#16 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.9
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$106k
106% of California median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Pacific Grove, California
Pacific Grove, California is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 8.1 out of 10, schools in Pacific Grove perform strongly 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 Pacific Grove is Robert Down Elementary with a composite score of 8.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pacific Grove is served by 2 school districts: Monterey Bay Charter District, Pacific Grove Unified. These districts collectively serve 2,205 students.
Pacific Grove's community shows 59% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $105,568. The poverty rate in the area is 7.1%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 403 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 2 | 345 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 3 | 478 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 445 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 520 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 14 students · 9th–12th | — |
Schools in Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove, California · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$105,568
Median Home Value
$1,129,400
Median Rent
$2,384/mo
Population
15,003
College Educated
59%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Community Profile
Pacific Grove has a median household income of $105,568. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,129,400, with a median rent of $2,384/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
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 Pacific Grove, California
How many schools are in Pacific Grove, California?
Pacific Grove has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pacific Grove, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pacific Grove is 8.1 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 Pacific Grove, California?
The top-ranked school in Pacific Grove on MySchoolScout is Robert Down Elementary with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pacific Grove, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pacific Grove on MySchoolScout is Robert Down Elementary with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Pacific Grove, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Pacific Grove on MySchoolScout is Pacific Grove Middle with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best high school in Pacific Grove, California?
The top-ranked high school in Pacific Grove on MySchoolScout is Pacific Grove High with a composite score of 8.4/10.
How many school districts serve Pacific Grove, California?
Pacific Grove is served by 2 school districts: Monterey Bay Charter District, Pacific Grove Unified.
What is the education level in Pacific Grove, California?
According to Census data, 59% of adults in Pacific Grove have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pacific Grove, California?
The median household income in Pacific Grove is approximately $105,568 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pacific Grove, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pacific Grove is 17.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pacific Grove, 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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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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.