Best High Schools in Zip Code 93930

In the 93930 zip code of King City, California, the South Monterey County Joint Union High district operates three public high schools serving grades 9-12, which together enroll about 1,400 students in a predominantly low-income agricultural community.

King City High stands out as the district's traditional comprehensive school and a clear leader, achieving a graduation rate of 95% and strong English proficiency scores that exceed state averages, despite serving a high-poverty student population. In contrast, the two alternative schools, Portola-Butler Continuation High and Pinnacle Coastal Valley High, face significant challenges, with much lower graduation rates around 71%, very high chronic absenteeism, and severe struggles in academic proficiency across all subjects.

While King City High demonstrates that strong outcomes are possible in this community, the district as a whole ranks in the bottom third statewide, with mathematics proficiency being a particular area of concern across all three schools. Parents should note the stark differences in environment and outcomes between the traditional high school and the alternative options, which serve students with different needs but have not yet found a formula for academic success despite, in one case, receiving significantly higher funding per student.