Very Good
#3419 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 36% in state
Washington Elementary
Elementary School · Washington Union Elementary
43 San Benancio Rd., Salinas, CA 93908
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
25.8:1
Score
7.0
Grades
4th – 5th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
25.8:1
Score
7.0
Grades
4th – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salinas
#12 of 60
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,237 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 3
Washington Union Elementary
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Washington Elementary
Washington Elementary serves 155 students in grades 4 and 5 in Salinas, California, offering a focused educational experience for upper elementary learners. With 6 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.8:1, providing personalized attention during these critical academic years. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 76th percentile among California elementary schools at #2286 out of 9566 statewide.
Students show solid proficiency in core subjects, with 62% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and 64% in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for middle school success. Washington Elementary draws from an affluent community where families value education highly.
The surrounding area boasts a median household income of $159,688 and a median home value of $962,100, with 54% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The low poverty rate of 5.0% indicates strong community resources and support for student learning. Located on San Benancio Road, the school sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to Salinas' broader educational and community resources.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 155 students, Washington Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Washington Elementary is 25.8:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Washington Elementary 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
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Washington Elementary — Students at Washington Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.
How Washington Elementary Compares
See how Washington Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 63.76% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62.42% (2024).
Location
43 San Benancio Rd., Salinas, CA 93908
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Washington Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tularcitos Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Carmel Valley), which scores notably higher. Another option is ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Carmel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Toro Park Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| San Benancio Middle Salinas | 2.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Tularcitos Elementary Carmel Valley | 3.8 mi | 9.3 |
| Toro Park Elementary Salinas | 4.1 mi | 8.0 |
| ST DUNSTAN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Carmel | 4.6 mi | — |
| YORK SCHOOL Monterey | 5.1 mi | 8.0 |
| RYAN RANCH CHILDRENS CENTER PRESCHOOL Monterey | 5.8 mi | — |
| Buena Vista Middle Salinas | 6.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Carmel Valley High Carmel | 5.8 mi | — |
| ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Carmel | 6.1 mi | 8.2 |
| All Saints' Episcopal Day School Carmel | 6.1 mi | — |
| Spreckels Elementary Spreckels | 7.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Peninsula Adventist School Seaside | 7.1 mi | — |
| PENINSULA ADVENTIST SCHOOL Seaside | 7.1 mi | — |
| Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula Seaside | 7.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Martin Luther King Seaside | 7.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Chartwell School Seaside | 8.1 mi | — |
| CHARTWELL SCHOOL Seaside | 8.1 mi | 8.7 |
| International School of Monterey Seaside | 7.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Seaside Middle Seaside | 7.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Ord Terrace Elementary Seaside | 7.9 mi | 7.8 |
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 Washington Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange, CA | 7.0 |
| El Mirage Adelanto, CA | 7.0 |
| Enadia Way Technology Charter West Hills, CA | 7.0 |
| GATEWAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz, CA | 7.0 |
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Santa Cruz, CA | 7.0 |
| Mountain View San Diego, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Washington Elementary
What grades does Washington Elementary serve?
Washington Elementary serves students in grades 4th through 5th.
How many students attend Washington Elementary?
Washington Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 155 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Washington Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Washington Elementary is 25.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Washington Elementary rank in CA?
Washington Elementary is ranked #3419 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Washington Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Washington Elementary 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 Washington Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washington Elementary has 62.0% math proficiency and 63.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Washington Elementary a charter school?
No, Washington Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Washington Elementary a Title I school?
No, Washington Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Washington Elementary?
14.2% of students at Washington 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
- 4th – 5th
- Enrollment
- 155
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 14.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 484-1331
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washington Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 746
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,614
- District Rank
- #2 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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