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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.5%
Math vs. State Avg-13.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,797

EL Sausal Middle — Students at EL Sausal Middle score 29% 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

94.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 21.6%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 37.2%
School
State
46.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
26%
ELA
33%
2024
Math
20.2%
ELA
38.6%

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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in CA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
81 Very Walkable
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 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 – 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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Salinas Union High
District Enrollment
16,225
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,435
District Rank
#2 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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