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Below Average

#8016 of 9,533 schools in CA

Big Sur Charter

School · Big Sur Charter District

304 Foam St., Monterey, CA 93940

Charter

Enrollment

89

Student-Teacher

22.2:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

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 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.8%
Math vs. State Avg+11.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,204

Big Sur Charter — Students at Big Sur Charter score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.9%
School
State
35.6%
ELA Proficiency 63.6%
School
State
47.1%

Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2024
Math
47.2%
ELA
52.8%

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.

Overall Score
4.7/10
16th percentile in CA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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