Skip to main content

Very Good

#3008 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 32% in state

Monte Bella Elementary

Elementary School · Alisal Union

1300 Tuscany Blvd., Salinas, CA 93905

Enrollment

807

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salinas

#7 of 60

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,008 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 13

Alisal Union

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Monte Bella Elementary

Monte Bella Elementary serves about 807 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Salinas, California. As a regular public school, it's part of the broader educational landscape in Monterey County and sits in the heart of this mid-size city at 1300 Tuscany Boulevard. The school has 32 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, which translates to a student-teacher ratio of about 25 to 1.

This ratio gives teachers a reasonable opportunity to engage with individual learners, though class sizes remain moderate. Academically, Monte Bella is currently working toward stronger performance. About 36 percent of students are proficient or above in English language arts and reading across grade levels, while approximately 30 percent meet proficiency standards in math.

These figures suggest the school has considerable room for academic growth, with meaningful opportunities to deepen student mastery in core subjects. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and state ranking in the 41st percentile reflect this developing trajectory. Monte Bella Elementary is positioned as a neighborhood school serving the local Salinas community, providing a foundational educational experience for young learners in the region.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Monte Bella Elementary is 25.2:1, 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 Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.8Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.4%
Math vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,875

Monte Bella Elementary — Students at Monte Bella Elementary score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.6%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 35.7%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 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
27%
ELA
36%
2024
Math
30.1%
ELA
35.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.

How Monte Bella Elementary Compares

See how Monte Bella Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1300 Tuscany Blvd., Salinas, CA 93905

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Monte Bella Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Los Padres Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bardin Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Alisal High Salinas 0.4 mi 6.7
Dr. Oscar F. Loya Elementary Salinas 0.5 mi 4.5
Alisal Community Salinas 0.5 mi 5.0
Bardin Elementary Salinas 0.6 mi 5.6
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Salinas 0.6 mi 4.8
La Paz Middle Salinas 0.8 mi 6.4
Frank Paul Elementary Salinas 1.1 mi 5.5
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy Salinas 1.2 mi 5.2
Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary Salinas 1.3 mi 3.7
Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary Salinas 1.4 mi 7.0
Fremont Elementary Salinas 1.3 mi 4.1
Creekside Elementary Salinas 1.8 mi 4.6
Alisal Virtual Academy Salinas 1.8 mi 5.6
Los Padres Elementary Salinas 1.6 mi 6.2
El Sausal Middle Salinas 1.6 mi 7.0
John E. Steinbeck Elementary Salinas 2.2 mi 3.8
Everett Alvarez High Salinas 2.4 mi 6.7
Loma Vista Elementary Salinas 2.4 mi 3.2
Sherwood Elementary Salinas 2.3 mi 5.4
Wellington M. Smith Jr. Salinas 2.4 mi 6.6

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 Monte Bella Elementary 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
Alpine Vista Tulare, CA 7.1
Ansel Adams Stockton, CA 7.1
Bassett Street Elementary Lake Balboa, CA 7.1
Bay Farm Alameda, CA 7.1
Benjamin Franklin Elementary Corona, CA 7.1
Bernardo Elementary Escondido, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Monte Bella Elementary

What grades does Monte Bella Elementary serve?

Monte Bella Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Monte Bella Elementary?

Monte Bella Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 807 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Monte Bella Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Monte Bella Elementary is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Monte Bella Elementary rank in CA?

Monte Bella Elementary is ranked #3008 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Monte Bella Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Monte Bella Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Monte Bella Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Monte Bella Elementary has 29.6% math proficiency and 35.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Monte Bella Elementary a charter school?

No, Monte Bella Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Monte Bella Elementary a Title I school?

No, Monte Bella Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Monte Bella Elementary?

87.7% of students at Monte Bella 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
807
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Monterey County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Alisal Union
District Enrollment
7,339
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,675
District Rank
#1 of 13

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.