Average
#4507 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 47% in state
San Benancio Middle
Middle School · Washington Union Elementary
43 San Benancio Rd., Salinas, CA 93908
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salinas
#19 of 60
public schools
California middle schools
#643 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 3
Washington Union Elementary
Equity
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About San Benancio Middle
San Benancio Middle serves 260 students in grades 6-8 in Salinas, California, earning an impressive 8.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school ranks in the 88th percentile statewide at #1143 out of 9566 California schools, reflecting strong academic performance that exceeds state averages. With 14 full-time equivalent teachers, San Benancio Middle maintains an 18.6-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom.
Students demonstrate solid academic achievement, with 67% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 52% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $159,688 and median home values approach nearly $1 million. This well-educated community, with 54% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and only a 5% poverty rate, creates a supportive environment for student learning and family engagement.
San Benancio Middle's academic excellence reflects both the school's commitment to quality education and the strong community support it receives. The school is situated in a rural area near town on San Benancio Road, providing students with a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to broader community resources in Monterey County.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, San Benancio Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
San Benancio Middle — Students at San Benancio Middle score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 5.3/10.
How San Benancio Middle Compares
See how San Benancio Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 67.33% (2024).
Location
43 San Benancio Rd., Salinas, CA 93908
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering San Benancio Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Washington Middle (rated 7.0/10, 7.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Buena Vista Middle (rated 4.2/10, 4.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Toro Park Elementary Salinas | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Washington Elementary Salinas | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Buena Vista Middle Salinas | 4.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Spreckels Elementary Spreckels | 5.2 mi | 5.6 |
| YORK SCHOOL Monterey | 4.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Tularcitos Elementary Carmel Valley | 6.6 mi | 9.3 |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Salinas | 6.5 mi | 6.0 |
| RYAN RANCH CHILDRENS CENTER PRESCHOOL Monterey | 5.5 mi | — |
| University Park Elementary Salinas | 6.8 mi | 7.4 |
| PALMA SCHOOL Salinas | 6.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Mission Park Elementary Salinas | 6.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Palma High School Salinas | 6.7 mi | — |
| Chartwell School Seaside | 6.2 mi | — |
| Monterey Park Elementary Salinas | 6.5 mi | 6.1 |
| CHARTWELL SCHOOL Seaside | 6.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Washington Middle Salinas | 7.0 mi | 7.0 |
| ST DUNSTAN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Carmel | 6.3 mi | — |
| Learning for Life Charter Marina | 7.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Salinas High Salinas | 7.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Monterey County Special Education Salinas | 6.7 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93908 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$164,554
Median Home Value
$1,071,000
Median Rent
$1,650/mo
Population
12,517
College Educated
56.3%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding San Benancio Middle has a median household income of $164,554. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,071,000, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Berrendos Middle Red Bluff, CA | 6.5 |
| Fortuna Middle Fortuna, CA | 6.5 |
| Libertas College Preparatory Charter Los Angeles, CA | 6.5 |
| Montgomery Middle San Diego, CA | 6.5 |
| AIMS College Prep Middle Oakland, CA | 6.4 |
| CORNERSTONE ACADEMY-CAMBRIDGE CAMPUS San Francisco, CA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about San Benancio Middle
What grades does San Benancio Middle serve?
San Benancio Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend San Benancio Middle?
San Benancio Middle has an enrollment of approximately 260 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at San Benancio Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at San Benancio Middle is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does San Benancio Middle rank in CA?
San Benancio Middle is ranked #4507 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is San Benancio Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
San Benancio Middle has a composite rating of 6.5 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 San Benancio Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, San Benancio Middle has 53.0% math proficiency and 69.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is San Benancio Middle a charter school?
No, San Benancio Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is San Benancio Middle a Title I school?
No, San Benancio Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for San Benancio Middle?
11.5% of students at San Benancio 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
- City Safety
- High (2,228/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salinas). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 260
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 484-1172
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washington Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 746
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,614
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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