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Very Good

#2722 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 29% in state

EL Puente

High School · Salinas Union High

20 Sherwood Pl., Salinas, CA 93906

Enrollment

349

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

7.3

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salinas

#6 of 60

public schools

California high schools

#496 of 1,892

In district

#1 of 12

Salinas Union High

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About EL Puente

El Puente is an alternative high school located in Salinas, California. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, El Puente offers a unique educational experience with an enrollment of 349 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.4:1. The school has nineteen full-time equivalent teachers who work to provide individualized attention and support to each student.

Academically, El Puente currently ranks in the 38th percentile among California schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. Students at El Puente are working toward proficiency in both English Language Arts/Reading (35% proficient or above) and Math (3% proficient or above), indicating areas for improvement but also opportunities for growth. El Puente is situated in a mid-size city, providing students with access to various community resources while fostering a supportive learning environment tailored to their needs.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Math vs. State Avg-27.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.1 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,797

EL Puente — Students at EL Puente score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 2.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 34.8%
School
State
49.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2024
Math
2.9%
ELA
40.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.

How EL Puente Compares

See how EL Puente performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in CA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

20 Sherwood Pl., Salinas, CA 93906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering EL Puente may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Salinas High (rated 7.0/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mount Toro High (rated 6.2/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, North Salinas High (rated 5.2/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Carr Lake Community Day Salinas 0.0 mi 5.0
Mount Toro High Salinas 0.1 mi 6.2
Madonna del Sasso School Salinas 0.7 mi
El Gabilan Elementary Salinas 1.0 mi 6.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Salinas 1.0 mi 5.4
Sherwood Elementary Salinas 1.2 mi 5.4
Wellington M. Smith Jr. Salinas 1.2 mi 6.6
Natividad Elementary Salinas 1.3 mi 4.1
Laurel Wood Elementary Salinas 1.1 mi 4.2
Salinas City Virtual Academy Salinas 1.2 mi 6.7
Henry F. Kammann Elementary Salinas 1.2 mi 4.5
Roosevelt Elementary Salinas 1.2 mi 5.5
North Salinas High Salinas 1.4 mi 5.2
Anthem Christian School Salinas 1.5 mi
Lincoln Elementary Salinas 1.5 mi 7.4
ANTHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salinas 1.5 mi 6.3
Salinas High Salinas 1.5 mi 7.0
Harden Middle Salinas 1.6 mi 5.6
Salinas Community Salinas 1.6 mi 4.9
El Sausal Middle Salinas 1.5 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,044

Median Home Value

$595,200

Median Rent

$2,127/mo

Population

64,592

College Educated

17.2%

Homeownership

54.4%

Avg Commute

28.4 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

33.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding EL Puente has a median household income of $96,044. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $595,200, with a median rent of $2,127/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Academy (The)- SF @McAteer San Francisco, CA 7.3
Applied Technology Center Montebello, CA 7.3
Central City Value Los Angeles, CA 7.3
City Honors International Preparatory High Inglewood, CA 7.3
Contreras Learning Center-School of Social Justice Los Angeles, CA 7.3
Durham High Durham, CA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about EL Puente

What grades does EL Puente serve?

EL Puente serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend EL Puente?

EL Puente has an enrollment of approximately 349 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at EL Puente?

The student-teacher ratio at EL Puente is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does EL Puente rank in CA?

EL Puente is ranked #2722 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is EL Puente's MySchoolScout rating?

EL Puente has a composite rating of 7.3 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 EL Puente?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, EL Puente has 2.8% math proficiency and 34.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is EL Puente a charter school?

No, EL Puente is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is EL Puente a Title I school?

No, EL Puente is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for EL Puente?

94.6% of students at EL Puente 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
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,228/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salinas). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.6%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
Monterey County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Salinas Union High
District Enrollment
16,225
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,435
District Rank
#1 of 12

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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