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Very Good

#2511 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 26% in state

University Park Elementary

Elementary School · Salinas City Elementary

833 West Acacia St., Salinas, CA 93901

Enrollment

482

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salinas

#3 of 60

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,719 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 15

Salinas City Elementary

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About University Park Elementary

University Park Elementary is a regular public school located in Salinas, California. With an enrollment of 482 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment. The campus houses 23 full-time equivalent teachers who work to ensure each child receives individual attention.

University Park Elementary focuses on foundational skills for kindergarten through sixth grade. Although the MySchoolScout rating is 4.9 out of 10 and the state ranking sits at #5590 among California's schools, the school prioritizes student development and growth in areas such as ELA/Reading (31% proficiency) and Math (22% proficiency). While these scores suggest room for improvement, the dedicated staff continues to work diligently toward academic enhancement.

Situated in a mid-size city, University Park Elementary is deeply embedded within the community of Salinas. The school's setting offers students access to local resources and enriching cultural experiences, fostering a well-rounded education that extends beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at University Park Elementary is 21:1, 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 Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.9%
Math vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.9 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,534

University Park Elementary — Students at University Park Elementary score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.2%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 30.6%
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
19%
ELA
29%
2024
Math
22.9%
ELA
31%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.9/10.

How University Park Elementary Compares

See how University Park Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in CA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

833 West Acacia St., Salinas, CA 93901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University Park Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Boronda Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Salinas City Virtual Academy (rated 6.7/10, 2.2 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
Mission Park Elementary Salinas 0.7 mi 3.8
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Salinas 0.7 mi 6.0
Washington Middle Salinas 0.8 mi 7.0
Palma High School Salinas 0.9 mi
PALMA SCHOOL Salinas 0.9 mi 5.7
Roosevelt Elementary Salinas 1.0 mi 5.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Salinas 1.2 mi 5.4
Salinas High Salinas 1.2 mi 7.0
Boronda Meadows Salinas 1.6 mi 5.4
Laurel Wood Elementary Salinas 1.6 mi 4.2
Boronda Elementary Salinas 1.8 mi 7.3
Lincoln Elementary Salinas 1.6 mi 7.4
Monterey Park Elementary Salinas 1.9 mi 6.1
Graves Elementary Salinas 2.1 mi 4.4
Salinas City Virtual Academy Salinas 2.2 mi 6.7
Oasis Charter Public Salinas 2.4 mi 4.5
Henry F. Kammann Elementary Salinas 2.3 mi 4.5
Mount Toro High Salinas 2.1 mi 6.2
Carr Lake Community Day Salinas 2.2 mi 5.0
El Puente Salinas 2.2 mi 7.3

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 University Park Elementary 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
Adams Elementary Santa Barbara, CA 7.4
Adelante Dual Language Academy II San Jose, CA 7.4
Allendale Elementary Oakland, CA 7.4
Anna Yates Elementary Emeryville, CA 7.4
Audubon Elementary Foster City, CA 7.4
BLACK PINE CIRCLE SCHOOL Berkeley, CA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University Park Elementary

What grades does University Park Elementary serve?

University Park Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend University Park Elementary?

University Park Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 482 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University Park Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at University Park Elementary is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University Park Elementary rank in CA?

University Park Elementary is ranked #2511 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is University Park Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

University Park Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 University Park Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, University Park Elementary has 22.2% math proficiency and 30.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is University Park Elementary a charter school?

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

Is University Park Elementary a Title I school?

No, University Park Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University Park Elementary?

69.7% of students at University Park 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

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat 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
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
482
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Monterey County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Salinas City Elementary
District Enrollment
8,206
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,429
District Rank
#1 of 15

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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