For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public middle schools serving 7,207 students in Salinas, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Salinas, CA are San Benancio Middle School, Carr Lake Community Day and Buena Vista Middle School. 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 18% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), 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 (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
San Benancio Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
43 San Benancio Rd.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1172
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 484-1172
Gr: 6-8 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #22.
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
Gr: 7-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #33.
Buena Vista Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
18250 Tara Dr.
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-8936
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-8936
Gr: 6-8 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: K-8 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #55.
Wellington M. Smith Junior
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1420 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3979
Gr: 4-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
Washington Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
560 Iverson St.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7100
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-7100
Gr: 7-8 | 1,082 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
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
Gr: 7-8 | 1,067 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
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
Gr: K-12 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #99.
La Paz Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1300 North Sanborn Rd.
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7900
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 796-7900
Gr: 7-8 | 1,099 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #1010.
Gavilan View Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
18250 Van Buren Ave.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7212
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-7212
Gr: 6-8 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
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
Gr: 7-8 | 1,101 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1212.
John Gutierrez Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1031 Rogge Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-3300
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-3300
Gr: 6-8 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1313.
El Puente
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
20 Sherwood Pl.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 796-7700
Gr: 7-12 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1414.
North Monterey County Center For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
17500 Pesante Rd.
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 633-7050
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 633-7050
Gr: 7-12 | 96 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
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
Gr: 7-12 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1616.
Monterey County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Salinas, CA 93912
(831) 755-0300
Gr: K-12 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
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 Buena Vista Middle School.
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, John Gutierrez Middle School vs. Buena Vista Middle School, San Benancio Middle School vs. Buena Vista Middle School
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