Schools

We know that finding the right school goes hand in hand with finding the right home and community. The Monterey Peninsula boasts many reputable public and private schools that provide students with trusted guidance from pre-school to adulthood.

 

Here, we have put together a simple guide to help you learn more about the top school districts and private schools in the area.

School Districts

Carmel Unified School District

DISTRICT RATING: 10

Carmel Unified School District serves Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, and Big Sur.

There are three elementary schools (Carmel River, Tularcitos, Captain Cooper), one middle school (Carmel Middle) and one high school (Carmel High). In 2015, Carmel Unified School District was named the nation’s first Ocean Guardian School District for its dedication to protecting the oceans through various recycling programs. The CUSD serves approximately 2,468 students and has a 92% graduation rate. To learn more about Carmel Unified School District, see here.[[need link]]

Pacific Grove Unified School District

DISTRICT RATING: 9

Residents of Pacific Grove and some parts of Pebble Beach are covered by the Pacific Grove Unified School District. There are five schools in the Pacific Grove Unified School District, including two elementary schools (Robert Down, Forest Grove), Pacific Grove Middle School, Pacific Grove High School, and the Pacific Grove Community High School for continued educated. This district has approximately 2,055 students and has a graduation rate of 92%. To learn more about Pacific Grove Unified School District, see here.[[need link]]

Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

DISTRICT RATING: 5

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District serves the Monterey, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, and Seaside communities. This public school district provides education for students of all ages, from pre-school classes to adult education courses. There are 23 schools within the MPUSD, with approximately 10,653 students. The graduation rate is 83%. To learn more about Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, see here.[[need link]]

Private Schools

Santa Catalina School

Santa Catalina is a prestigious private school that offers a co-ed day school for pre-kindergarten to Grade 8 students, as well as an all-girls boarding and day school for grades 9-12. Founded in 1950, this school is located in Monterey with facilities that include an aquatic center, gymnasium complex, dormitories, a music center, performing arts center, and more.

Both Santa Catalina schools offer athletic programs, extracurricular actives, and clubs to provide students with a well-rounded school experience. Santa Catalina upper school offers 28 Advanced Placement courses and 13 Honors courses for its students. With a strong focus on community, students from both schools are regularly involved in community service projects. To learn more about Santa Catalina’s admission requirements and tuition, see here.[[need link]]

  • Grades: Pre-Kindergarten - 12
  • Religious Affiliation: Catholic
  • Annual Tuition: $34-52K
  • Number of Students: 536
  • Average Class Size: 12
  • Student to Teacher Ratio: 8:1

San Carlos School

Located in Monterey, San Carlos is a private co-ed middle school that was established in 1898 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondolet. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 are immersed in an education rooted in faith, community, and high academic standards. Students are involved in the community through volunteer programs such as the Loaves and Fishes Program.

San Carlos offers athletics such as soccer, flag football, track, golf, and basketball. There are also student government, yearbook, math, and ecology clubs, as well as a choir for students in grades 2 to 8. Campus facilities include a library, science lab, tech center, art studio, and more. To learn more about San Carlos’ admission requirements and tuition, see here.[[need link]]

  • Grades: Pre-Kindergarten - 8
  • Religious Affiliation: Catholic
  • Annual Tuition: $4,825 - $18,300
  • Number of Students: 300
  • Average Class Size: 17
  • Student to Teacher Ratio: 20:1

York School

York School is a college-prep, independent day school for grades 8 – 12 located in Monterey. York has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and has 100% of its graduates attend college. Students of York School are encouraged to develop creative and intellectual curiosity in a diverse environment.

York boasts an impressive performing and visual arts community, with 27 performing and visual arts classes and eight performing groups. There are 18 varsity athletic teams, including co-ed golf, swimming, and track and field. Inclusivity and community are prominent values at York; the school has a student government and wide variety of clubs, from a Model UN to a Hip Hop Dance Club. To learn more about York School’s admission requirements and tuition, see here.[[need link]]

  • Grades: 8 - 12
  • Religious Affiliation: N/A
  • Annual Tuition: $32,400
  • Number of Students: 225
  • Average Class Size: 13
  • Student to Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Trinity Christian High School

Trinity Christian High School is a co-ed secondary school located in Monterey. As one of the smaller private schools in the area, Trinity offers a tight-knit school community. Their students attend annual retreats with the entire student body and regularly take part in outreach programs by volunteering throughout the area.

At Trinity, student life is based on academics, spirituality, community, athletics, and the arts. Students can choose from electives such as ocean exploration, the performing arts, woodworking, and more. For athletes, Trinity offers boys and girls swimming, soccer, basketball, cheer, and other team sports. To learn more about Trinity Christian High School’s admission requirements and tuition, see
here.[[need link]]

  • Grades: 9 - 12
  • Religious Affiliation: Christian
  • Annual Tuition: $10,400
  • Number of Students: 123
  • Average Class Size: 20
  • Student to Teacher Ratio: 10:1

All Saints’ Day School

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, All Saints’ Day School is the only independent school in Monterey and Salinas that focuses solely on pre-school to Grade 8 students. Situated on a 17-acre campus directly across from Carmel River, students can learn and grow in a naturally beautiful and accessible atmosphere.

This private Episcopal school has two athletic fields, over 80 computers for students’ use, an outdoor chapel, and an organic garden with a wood-burning pizza oven. At All Saints’ Day School, there is an art, music, and ceramics wing for creative students, athletic teams for sports enthusiasts, and a strong community spirit for all. To learn more about All Saints’ Day School’s admission requirements and tuition, see here.[[need link]]

  • Grades: Pre-School - Grade 8
  • Religious Affiliation: Episocpal
  • Annual Tuition: $10,800 - 21,100
  • Number of Students: 180
  • Average Class Size: 20
  • Student to Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Stevenson School

The Stevenson School is split into two campuses depending on grade level. The Carmel Campus, for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8, holds 250 students. The Pebble Beach Campus is a co-ed college preparatory school for grades 9-12. Boarding and day students are among the 500 attendees that come from over 25 countries and 19 states to attend Stevenson School.

Stevenson School’s Pebble Beach campus holds three main stage productions a year and has eight musical troupes. There is a student art gallery, ceramics studio, and on-campus radio station. Stevenson School also has 24 interscholastic sports teams and more than 50 extracurricular activities for students to enjoy. To learn more about Stevenson School’s admission requirements and tuition, see here.[[need link]]

  • Grades: 9 - 12
  • Religious Affiliation: N/A
  • Annual Tuition: $15,200 - $62,300
  • Number of Students: 750
  • Average Class Size: 14
  • Student to Teacher Ratio: 10:1

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