Needs Improvement
#9038 of 9,533 schools in CA
John E. Steinbeck Elementary
Elementary School · Alisal Union
1714 Burlington Dr., Salinas, CA 93906
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salinas
#57 of 60
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,437 of 5,817
In district
#12 of 13
Alisal Union
About John E. Steinbeck Elementary
John E. Steinbeck Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Salinas, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 500 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
The academic performance at John E. Steinbeck Elementary is currently rated as needing improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #8248 out of 9566 schools in California (14th percentile). In terms of test scores, the school has 33% of students proficient or above in ELA/reading and 26% proficient or above in math.
Despite these challenges, the school is committed to supporting its students' development and providing a strong educational foundation. John E. Steinbeck Elementary is situated within a mid-size city, offering students a vibrant community setting with diverse opportunities for learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at John E. Steinbeck Elementary is 22.7:1, 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
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John E. Steinbeck Elementary — Students at John E. Steinbeck Elementary score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.
How John E. Steinbeck Elementary Compares
See how John E. Steinbeck Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 23.23% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 30.32% (2024).
Location
1714 Burlington Dr., Salinas, CA 93906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John E. Steinbeck Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is El Gabilan Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ANTHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Everett Alvarez High Salinas | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Loma Vista Elementary Salinas | 0.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Creekside Elementary Salinas | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Alisal Virtual Academy Salinas | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| New Republic Elementary Salinas | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary Salinas | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Salinas Community Salinas | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Frank Paul Elementary Salinas | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Wellington M. Smith Jr. Salinas | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Natividad Elementary Salinas | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| La Paz Middle Salinas | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy Salinas | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary Salinas | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Salinas | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Rancho San Juan High Salinas | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| El Gabilan Elementary Salinas | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| ANTHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salinas | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Anthem Christian School Salinas | 1.5 mi | — |
| McKinnon Salinas | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| North Salinas High Salinas | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
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 John E. Steinbeck Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Allison Elementary Pomona, CA | 3.8 |
| Arbuckle Elementary Arbuckle, CA | 3.8 |
| Arthur S. Dudley Elementary Antelope, CA | 3.8 |
| Bear Gulch Elementary Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 3.8 |
| Capistrano Elementary Modesto, CA | 3.8 |
| Carl E. Gilbert Elementary Buena Park, CA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John E. Steinbeck Elementary
What grades does John E. Steinbeck Elementary serve?
John E. Steinbeck Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend John E. Steinbeck Elementary?
John E. Steinbeck Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 500 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John E. Steinbeck Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at John E. Steinbeck Elementary is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John E. Steinbeck Elementary rank in CA?
John E. Steinbeck Elementary is ranked #9038 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is John E. Steinbeck Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
John E. Steinbeck Elementary has a composite rating of 3.8 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 John E. Steinbeck Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John E. Steinbeck Elementary has 25.9% math proficiency and 33.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John E. Steinbeck Elementary a charter school?
No, John E. Steinbeck Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John E. Steinbeck Elementary a Title I school?
No, John E. Steinbeck Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John E. Steinbeck Elementary?
79.0% of students at John E. Steinbeck Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (2,228/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salinas). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 500
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 753-5780
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alisal Union- District Enrollment
- 7,339
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,675
- District Rank
- #12 of 13
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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