Below Average
#8016 of 9,533 schools in CA
Big Sur Charter
School · Big Sur Charter District
304 Foam St., Monterey, CA 93940
Enrollment
89
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
89
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Monterey
#5 of 6
public schools
California schools
#374 of 475
About Big Sur Charter
Big Sur Charter is a charter school located in Monterey, California. Serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 89 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers. Big Sur Charter offers a unique educational experience within a mid-size suburb setting.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.4 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking at #4751 out of 9,566 schools in California. In terms of academic performance, Big Sur Charter scores an Academic Score of 7.5/10, with 64% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 56% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for improvement, the school focuses on fostering student development and growth.
Big Sur Charter provides a small-scale learning environment that caters to individual needs, making it an ideal choice for families seeking personalized attention and support for their children's education. The school is situated in a mid-size suburb, offering students access to both rural charm and urban amenities nearby.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 89 students, Big Sur Charter is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Big Sur Charter is 22.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Big Sur Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Big Sur Charter — Students at Big Sur Charter score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.
How Big Sur Charter Compares
See how Big Sur Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 47.22% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 52.78% (2024).
Location
304 Foam St., Monterey, CA 93940
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Sur Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monterey High (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pacific Grove High (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Pacific Grove), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Monterey, see our Monterey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sojourner Academy Monterey | 0.3 mi | — |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Monterey | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Catherine Dior School Monterey | 1.0 mi | — |
| Monterey High Monterey | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| San Carlos Elementary Monterey | 1.1 mi | — |
| SAN CARLOS SCHOOL Monterey | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Robert Down Elementary Pacific Grove | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Pacific Grove Middle Pacific Grove | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Monte Vista Monterey | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Pacific Grove High Pacific Grove | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Forest Grove Elementary Pacific Grove | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Community High (Continuation) Pacific Grove | 1.8 mi | — |
| Monterey Bay Charter Pacific Grove | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Bay View Academy Monterey | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Santa Catalina School Monterey | 2.1 mi | — |
| SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL Monterey | 2.1 mi | 8.5 |
| La Mesa Monterey | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Stevenson School Carmel Campus Carmel | 3.5 mi | — |
| STEVENSON SCHOOL CARMEL CAMPUS Carmel | 3.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Classical Christian Academy Monterey Bay Monterey | 3.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93940 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$110,669
Median Home Value
$1,039,700
Median Rent
$2,305/mo
Population
30,951
College Educated
54.3%
Homeownership
43%
Avg Commute
19.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
42.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Big Sur Charter 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carlsbad Seaside Academy Carlsbad, CA | 4.7 |
| MONTECITO BAPTIST SCHOOL Ontario, CA | 4.7 |
| BIBLE BAPTIST SCHOOLS Marysville, CA | 4.8 |
| HomeTech Charter Paradise, CA | 4.8 |
| RIVER VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Glenn, CA | 4.8 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Coalinga, CA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Sur Charter
What grades does Big Sur Charter serve?
Big Sur Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Big Sur Charter?
Big Sur Charter has an enrollment of approximately 89 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Sur Charter?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Sur Charter is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Sur Charter rank in CA?
Big Sur Charter is ranked #8016 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Big Sur Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Sur Charter has a composite rating of 4.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Big Sur Charter?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Sur Charter has 55.9% math proficiency and 63.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Big Sur Charter a charter school?
Yes, Big Sur Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Big Sur Charter a Title I school?
No, Big Sur Charter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Sur Charter?
27.0% of students at Big Sur Charter qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,185/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Monterey). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 89
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 324-4573
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Big Sur Charter District- District Enrollment
- 89
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,988
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
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