Very Good
#3382 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 36% in state
Salinas High
High School · Salinas Union High
726 South Main St., Salinas, CA 93901
Enrollment
2,446
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,446
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salinas
#10 of 60
public schools
California high schools
#634 of 1,892
In district
#3 of 12
Salinas Union High
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Salinas High
Salinas High serves 2,446 students in grades 9-12 in Salinas, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1 and 108 full-time equivalent teachers. This large public high school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 73rd percentile among California high schools, placing it at #2551 out of 9,566 schools statewide. Academically, the school shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 68% of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 29% of students currently achieve proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 7.3 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student development across all subject areas. Located on South Main Street, Salinas High sits in the heart of a mid-size city within Monterey County.
The surrounding 93901 ZIP code area has a median household income of $84,669 and median home values of $658,000. The neighborhood shows a poverty rate of 11.8%, with 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. This diverse community of nearly 29,500 residents provides a supportive environment for the school's large student body.
What's said publicly about Salinas High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Salinas High is a large school with 2,446 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Salinas High is 22.6:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Salinas High — Students at Salinas High score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.
How Salinas High Compares
See how Salinas High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 31% (2019) to 29.42% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 68.24% (2024).
Location
726 South Main St., Salinas, CA 93901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Salinas High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. El Puente (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mount Toro High (rated 6.2/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Middle Salinas | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Palma High School Salinas | 0.4 mi | — |
| PALMA SCHOOL Salinas | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Lincoln Elementary Salinas | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Salinas | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Mission Park Elementary Salinas | 0.5 mi | 3.8 |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Salinas | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Salinas | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Monterey Park Elementary Salinas | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| University Park Elementary Salinas | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Monterey County Special Education Salinas | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Monterey County Home Charter Salinas | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Mount Toro High Salinas | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Carr Lake Community Day Salinas | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| El Puente Salinas | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Sherwood Elementary Salinas | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Laurel Wood Elementary Salinas | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Boronda Meadows Salinas | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Madonna del Sasso School Salinas | 2.1 mi | — |
| Salinas City Virtual Academy Salinas | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$91,639
Median Home Value
$721,100
Median Rent
$1,792/mo
Population
29,480
College Educated
28.7%
Homeownership
45.7%
Avg Commute
24.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Salinas High has a median household income of $91,639. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $721,100, with a median rent of $1,792/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Andrew P. Hill High San Jose, CA | 7.0 |
| Antelope Valley High Lancaster, CA | 7.0 |
| Arcadia High Arcadia, CA | 7.0 |
| Arroyo High San Lorenzo, CA | 7.0 |
| Bell Gardens High Bell Gardens, CA | 7.0 |
| Cajon High San Bernardino, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Salinas High
What grades does Salinas High serve?
Salinas High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Salinas High?
Salinas High has an enrollment of approximately 2,446 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Salinas High?
The student-teacher ratio at Salinas High is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Salinas High rank in CA?
Salinas High is ranked #3382 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Salinas High's MySchoolScout rating?
Salinas High 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 Salinas High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salinas High has 29.9% math proficiency and 63.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Salinas High a charter school?
No, Salinas High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Salinas High a Title I school?
No, Salinas High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salinas High?
83.6% of students at Salinas High 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,446
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 108
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 796-7400
- 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
- #3 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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