For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public middle schools serving 7,391 students in Salinas, CA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Salinas, CA are San Benancio Middle School, Carr Lake Community Day and Wellington M. Smith Junior. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Salinas, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the California public middle school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Salinas have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Salinas, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
San Benancio Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
43 San Benancio Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1172
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1172
Grades: 6-8
| 260 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Carr Lake Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Grades: 7-12
| 31 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Wellington M. Smith Junior
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1420 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Grades: 4-12
| 34 students
Rank: #44.
Buena Vista Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
18250 Tara Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-8936
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-8936
Grades: 6-8
| 333 students
Rank: #55.
Graves Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
15 Mcfadden Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 422-6392
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 422-6392
Grades: K-8
| 35 students
Rank: #66.
Washington Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
560 Iverson St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7100
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7100
Grades: 7-8
| 1,068 students
Rank: #77.
El Sausal Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1155 East Alisal St.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7200
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7200
Grades: 7-8
| 1,051 students
Rank: #88.
Monterey County Home Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0331
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0331
Grades: K-12
| 254 students
Rank: #99.
La Paz Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1300 North Sanborn Rd.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7900
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7900
Grades: 7-8
| 1,160 students
Rank: #1010.
Gavilan View Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
18250 Van Buren Ave.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7212
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7212
Grades: 6-8
| 568 students
Rank: #1111.
Harden Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1561 Mckinnon St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7300
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7300
Grades: 7-8
| 1,127 students
Rank: #1212.
John Gutierrez Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1031 Rogge Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-3300
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-3300
Grades: 6-8
| 605 students
Rank: #1313.
North Monterey County Center For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
17500 Pesante Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 633-7050
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 633-7050
Grades: K-12
| 131 students
Rank: #1414.
El Puente
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
20 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Grades: 7-12
| 349 students
Rank: #1515.
Salinas Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
615 Leslie Dr.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-9520
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-9520
Grades: 7-12
| 104 students
Rank: #1616.
Monterey County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Grades: K-12
| 281 students
Salinas, California 九游体育s (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Baldwin Park Community Day (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
1121-a Baldwin St.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-6080
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 753-6080
Grades: K-6
| 18 students
Boronda Community Day (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
1114 Fontes Ln.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 751-3142
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 751-3142
Grades: 4-7
| 6 students
1900 Independence Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7810
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7810
Grades: 9-12
| 2,184 students
8515 Prunedale North Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 663-1777
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 663-1777
Grades: K-12
| 924 students
Millennium Charter High School (Closed 2020)
Charter School
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Grades: 9-12
| 129 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Salinas, CA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Salinas, CA include San Benancio Middle School, Carr Lake Community Day and Wellington M. Smith Junior.
How many public middle schools are located in Salinas?
16 public middle schools are located in Salinas.
What is the racial composition of students in Salinas?
Salinas public middle schools minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Salinas are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Salinas include: Gavilan View Middle School vs. John Gutierrez Middle School, San Benancio Middle School vs. Buena Vista Middle School, John Gutierrez Middle School vs. Gavilan View Middle School
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