Very Good
#3381 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 36% in state
EL Sausal Middle
Middle School · Salinas Union High
1155 East Alisal St., Salinas, CA 93905
Enrollment
1,051
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,051
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salinas
#9 of 60
public schools
California middle schools
#469 of 1,349
In district
#2 of 12
Salinas Union High
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About EL Sausal Middle
El Sausal Middle serves 1,051 students in grades 7-8 in Salinas, California, operating as a regular public school with 47 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.4:1. The school ranks in the 39th percentile statewide, placing #5,878 out of 9,566 California schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. Academically, El Sausal Middle has significant room for growth, with 39% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 20% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the challenges facing many schools in communities where educational resources may be stretched thin. The school serves a diverse community in the 93905 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $68,795 and the poverty rate stands at 19.4%. With only 6% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, El Sausal Middle plays a crucial role in providing educational opportunities for families working to build brighter futures for their children.
Located on East Alisal Street in this mid-size Central Valley city, El Sausal Middle sits in the heart of Salinas, a community known for its agricultural heritage and hardworking families who form the backbone of California's farming industry.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at EL Sausal Middle is 22.4:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
EL Sausal Middle — Students at EL Sausal Middle score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.
How EL Sausal Middle Compares
See how EL Sausal Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 20.08% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 38.49% (2024).
Location
1155 East Alisal St., Salinas, CA 93905
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering EL Sausal Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lincoln Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is El Puente (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Monte Bella Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Los Padres Elementary Salinas | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Fremont Elementary Salinas | 0.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Sherwood Elementary Salinas | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary Salinas | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy Salinas | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Alisal Community Salinas | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary Salinas | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Bardin Elementary Salinas | 1.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Salinas | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Alisal High Salinas | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Carr Lake Community Day Salinas | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| El Puente Salinas | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| La Paz Middle Salinas | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Mount Toro High Salinas | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Frank Paul Elementary Salinas | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Monterey County Special Education Salinas | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Monterey County Home Charter Salinas | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Wellington M. Smith Jr. Salinas | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary Salinas | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Monte Bella Elementary Salinas | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93905 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,716
Median Home Value
$570,000
Median Rent
$1,799/mo
Population
64,596
College Educated
6.6%
Homeownership
41.7%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Median Age
28.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding EL Sausal Middle has a median household income of $75,716. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $570,000, with a median rent of $1,799/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams (J. Douglas) Middle Brentwood, CA | 7.0 |
| Andrew Carnegie Middle Orangevale, CA | 7.0 |
| Bidwell Junior High Chico, CA | 7.0 |
| California Middle Sacramento, CA | 7.0 |
| Cesar Chavez Junior High Ceres, CA | 7.0 |
| Chester W. Nimitz Middle Huntington Park, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EL Sausal Middle
What grades does EL Sausal Middle serve?
EL Sausal Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend EL Sausal Middle?
EL Sausal Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,051 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at EL Sausal Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at EL Sausal Middle is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does EL Sausal Middle rank in CA?
EL Sausal Middle is ranked #3381 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is EL Sausal Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
EL Sausal Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Sausal Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, EL Sausal Middle has 21.6% math proficiency and 37.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is EL Sausal Middle a charter school?
No, EL Sausal Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is EL Sausal Middle a Title I school?
No, EL Sausal Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for EL Sausal Middle?
94.9% of students at EL Sausal Middle 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,051
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 796-7200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Salinas Union High- District Enrollment
- 16,225
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,435
- District Rank
- #2 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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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