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Wellington M. Smith Junior

Q: Is Wellington M. Smith Junior a good school?

Wellington M. Smith Junior ranks in the bottom 0.5% of California alternative schools.

Q: How many students attend Wellington M. Smith Junior?

In the 2024-25 school year, 50 students attended Wellington M. Smith Junior.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Wellington M. Smith Junior?

Students at Wellington M. Smith Junior are 98% Hispanic, 2% White.

Public, Alternative Grades 4-12

2125^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,135 California Alternative Schools

Better than 0% of California alternative schools

Summary

Wellington M. Smith Junior is an alternative school in Salinas, in Monterey County, serving grades 4–12 with 50 students. Its 2025–26 results show a sharp contrast: graduation was 92% and chronic absenteeism was 2%, while all-grades proficiency in both English language arts (ELA) and math was 0%. The most important finding is that reported academic proficiency is exceptionally low despite notably strong graduation and attendance figures.

Academics are Wellington’s clearest weakness compared with the state, its district, and nearby schools: its 0% ELA proficiency was 49 points below California and 24 points below the Monterey County Office of Education; in math, it was 38 points below the state and 12 below the district. Among nearby schools with reported results, Monterey County Special Education and Monterey County Home Charter averaged 22% in ELA and 9% in math. Wellington tied Special Education at 0% in math, but was below both schools’ average in each subject. Its strongest comparison is graduation and attendance: the 92% graduation rate was 4 points above the state and 24 above the district, while 2% chronic absenteeism was 17 points below the state and 24 below the district. Compared with Home Charter, Wellington’s graduation rate was 11 points higher and absenteeism 20 points lower.

Reported proficiency did not improve between 2022–23 and 2025–26: Wellington remained at 0% in ELA and math, while state proficiency rose, widening the school-state gaps by 3 points in ELA and 4 in math. Graduation rose 25 points, from 67% in 2021–22 to 92% in 2025–26. For context, Wellington’s 2024–25 student-teacher ratio was 12.4, the second-lowest among the five listed schools, and 94% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible in 2024–25—the highest among nearby schools with the same measure and year. SchoolDigger ranks the district, not Wellington, 605th of 968 (38th percentile, 2 stars). Some grade-level and science results are suppressed; with 50 students, school rates can also be sensitive to small changes.

Students ?

12.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$50,011

Per pupil spending ?

94.0%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

1420 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906

(831) 755-3979

District: Monterey County Office of Education

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

98.0%

White:

2.0%

See top rated California elementary schools

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 15th percentile in 2011 → <1st in 2026

Strengths

✓92% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (0% vs 42% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (<1st percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 15 percentile points since 2011

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school0%

District avg17%

California avg42%

2,125^th of 2,135

California public high schools ?

Bottom 1%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Alternative Schools in the Monterey County Office of Education

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	6.2	2125 of 2135	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	8.7	2156 of 2170	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	7.9	2132 of 2133	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	9.7	1908 of 2017	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	9.0	1947 of 2021	3.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	7.3	2026 of 2039	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	9.4	1884 of 1994	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	10.7	2053 of 2426	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	18.0	1698 of 2354	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	11.1	2010 of 2367	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	6.7	2083 of 2281	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	28.0	1480 of 2238	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2008	10.2	1885 of 2117	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	12.2	1821 of 2063	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	19.1	1472 of 1968	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	14.9	1585 of 1901	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	21.9	1195 of 1653	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	6.2	1866 of 1880	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	8.4	1905 of 1917	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	8.6	1725 of 1742	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	6.3	1989 of 1997	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.0	2016 of 2030	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	9.1	1844 of 1862	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	5.9	1912 of 1930	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	8.7	1929 of 1963	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	7.7	1880 of 1880	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	10.0	1699 of 1834	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2026)1st percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)1st percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)<1st percentile~ school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy0%-49 vs state

Mathematics0%-38 vs state

★

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Schools Near Wellington M. Smith Junior

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				CAST Science (2026)						Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)								Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)								Vaccination (2024-25)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science 10th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners with all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Wellington M. Smith Junior	Public, Alternative	4-12	1420 Natividad Rd.	Salinas	93906	Monterey County	Monterey County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(831) 755-3979	50	4	12.4	94.0%	1 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (98.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)													0.0	0.0							0.0	0.0			$50,011	$40,986	$9,025
Monterey County Special Education	Public, Alternative	K-12	901 Blanco Cir.	Salinas	93912	Monterey County	Monterey County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(831) 755-0300	274	40	6.9	62.0%	12 (4.4%)	4 (1.5%)	243 (88.7%)	5 (1.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.3%)								(n/a)						0.0								2.9								0.0	87%	0%	$90,224	$87,710	$2,514
Monterey County Home Charter	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	901 Blanco Cir.	Salinas	93912	Monterey County	Monterey County Office of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(831) 755-0331	255	14	18.8	69.0%	43 (16.9%)	1 (0.4%)	201 (78.8%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	4 (1.6%)	3 (1.2%)								(n/a)		21.1			25.9	24.1					28.6	26.3	47.5	40.4					33.3	5.3	10.0	17.5			$28,848	$28,556	$292
Big Sur Charter	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	304 Foam St.	Monterey	93940	Monterey County	Big Sur Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(831) 324-4573	101	5	20.2	27.7%	48 (47.5%)	4 (4.0%)	33 (32.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	15 (14.9%)								(n/a)	45.5	54.6				50.0	26.7		63.6			54.6		55.0	26.7		18.2			27.3		30.0	≥ 95%
San Benito County Juvenile Hall Court	Public, Alternative	K-12	708 Flynn Rd.	Hollister	95023	San Benito County	San Benito County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(831) 636-4053	7	0	17.5	—	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (85.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (14.3%)								(n/a)																									$26,274	$22,780	$3,494

Frequently Asked Questions about Wellington M. Smith Junior

How many students attend Wellington M. Smith Junior?

In the 2024-25 school year, 50 students attended Wellington M. Smith Junior.

What is the racial makeup of Wellington M. Smith Junior?

Students at Wellington M. Smith Junior are 98% Hispanic, 2% White.

Is Wellington M. Smith Junior a good school?

Wellington M. Smith Junior ranks in the bottom 0.5% of California alternative schools.

What district is Wellington M. Smith Junior in?

Monterey County Office of Education

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Latest California data All new data »

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNewOct 15, 2026

2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresNewOct 15, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.