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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.4%
Math vs. State Avg+22.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.4 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,940

Washington Elementary — Students at Washington Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
37.3%
ELA Proficiency 63.6%
School
State
46.2%

Based on 8 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
57%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
63.7%
ELA
62.4%

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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

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.

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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington Union Elementary
District Enrollment
746
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,614
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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