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Below Average

#8175 of 9,539 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

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,175 of 9,539

In Monterey

#5 of 6

public schools

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Big Sur Charter

4.3/10

School in Monterey · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sojourner Academy

Nearby

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Trinity Christian High School

7.5/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Big Sur Charter

Big Sur Charter is a public school in Monterey, CA, part of Big Sur Charter District. Big Sur Charter serves approximately 89 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Sur Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #8,175 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Big Sur Charter show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below CA schools
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • CA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 89 students, Big Sur Charter is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Big Sur Charter runs 22.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Big Sur Charter is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.78 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+11.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,988
Chronic Absenteeism1.1%

Big Sur Charter — Students at Big Sur Charter score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

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 54.0% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
35.6% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 66.3% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
47.1% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2018
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
Math
39.7%
ELA
63.2%
2024
Math
47.2%
ELA
52.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.5/10.

How Big Sur Charter Compares

See how Big Sur Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
14th percentile in CA
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
1.1%

Location

304 Foam St., Monterey, CA 93940

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Big Sur Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. Robert Down Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Pacific Grove), which scores notably higher. Another option is SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pacific Grove Middle (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 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 7.6
San Carlos Elementary Monterey 1.1 mi
SAN CARLOS SCHOOL Monterey 1.2 mi 6.2
Robert Down Elementary Pacific Grove 1.1 mi 8.9
Pacific Grove Middle Pacific Grove 1.2 mi 8.4
Monte Vista Monterey 1.5 mi 7.3
Pacific Grove High Pacific Grove 1.5 mi 8.4
Forest Grove Elementary Pacific Grove 1.7 mi 7.6
Community High (Continuation) Pacific Grove 1.8 mi
Monterey Bay Charter Pacific Grove 1.8 mi 7.4
Bay View Academy Monterey 1.9 mi 4.2
Santa Catalina School Monterey 2.1 mi
SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL Monterey 2.1 mi 8.5
La Mesa Monterey 2.4 mi 7.2
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GRACE MENNONITE SCHOOL Winton, CA 4.3
Glenn County Special Education Willows, CA 4.3
Santa Barbara County Special Education Santa Barbara, CA 4.3
Siskiyou County Special Education Yreka, CA 4.2
ALDAR ACADEMY Sacramento, CA 4.4
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Lorenzo, CA 4.4

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 ranks #8,175 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Big Sur Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Sur Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Big Sur Charter?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Sur Charter has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

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

Walk Score
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
78 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
1.1%

District

Big Sur Charter District
District Enrollment
89
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,988
District Rank
#1 of 1

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