Best Schools in Seaside, California
15 schools · 7 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Seaside?
Use this page to compare every school in Seaside 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.
Chartwell School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ord Terrace Elementary
Elementary · Monterey Peninsula Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Central Coast High
High · Monterey Peninsula Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Seaside for 2026 are Chartwell School (8.7/10), Ord Terrace Elementary (7.5/10), and Central Coast High (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 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
15
10 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$693,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
15
10 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$693,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 7.5/10 despite 85% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 0.8 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Seaside schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +5.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Seaside schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Seaside
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 15). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chartwell School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Ord Terrace Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Central Coast High | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Seaside Middle | 6.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Del Rey Woods Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Seaside High | 6.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Martin Luther King | 5.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Monterey Bay Christian School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 10 | International School of Monterey | 4.7 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $82,331
- Median home value
- $693,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 37%
30% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Seaside compares
California rank
#265 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$82k
83% of California median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Seaside, California
Seaside, California is home to 15 schools, including 10 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Seaside 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 Seaside is Chartwell School with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Seaside is served by 2 school districts: International School of Monterey District, Monterey Peninsula Unified. These districts collectively serve 9,680 students.
Seaside's community shows 28% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $82,331. The poverty rate in the area is 14.9%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 452 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 340 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | 425 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.4 | ||
| 4 | 572 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.3 | ||
| 5 | 428 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Peninsula Adventist School
Private
6 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
| 2 | Peninsula Adventist School
Private
5 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 532 students · 7th–8th | 6.5 |
| 2 | 3 students · 6th–8th | — |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 114 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 1,134 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 3 | 4 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| 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 | Chartwell School
Private
204 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chartwell School
Private
160 students · 2nd–12th | 8.7 |
| 2 | Monterey Bay Christian School
Private
174 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.3 |
Schools in Seaside
Seaside, California · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$82,331
Median Home Value
$693,800
Median Rent
$2,312/mo
Population
32,253
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
37%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Community Profile
Seaside has a median household income of $82,331. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $693,800, with a median rent of $2,312/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
- Other
- 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 Seaside, California
How many schools are in Seaside, California?
Seaside has 15 schools, including 10 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Seaside, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Seaside is 6.5 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 Seaside, California?
The top-ranked school in Seaside on MySchoolScout is Chartwell School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Seaside, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Seaside on MySchoolScout is Ord Terrace Elementary with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Seaside, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Seaside on MySchoolScout is Seaside Middle with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best high school in Seaside, California?
The top-ranked high school in Seaside on MySchoolScout is Central Coast High with a composite score of 7.4/10.
How many school districts serve Seaside, California?
Seaside is served by 2 school districts: International School of Monterey District, Monterey Peninsula Unified.
What is the education level in Seaside, California?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Seaside have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Seaside, California?
The median household income in Seaside is approximately $82,331 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Seaside, California?
Yes, Seaside has 5 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is Chartwell School with a score of 8.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Seaside, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Seaside is 13.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Seaside, 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.