Schools in Zip Code 95012

ZIP code 95012 has four public schools in North Monterey County Unified: two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, serving students from elementary through high school. In 2025–2026, the schools’ average proficiency was 38% in English language arts (ELA), 21% in math and 19% in science, all below state averages. ELA was closest to the state result, while the clearest concern is North Monterey County Middle, which had the lowest result of the four schools in all three subjects.

North Monterey County High stands out in ELA and science: its 58% in ELA was 21 percentage points above the next-highest school, Castroville Elementary, and its 29% in science led the next-highest school, Elkhorn Elementary, by 10 points. Castroville led the group in math at 31%, 7 points ahead of Elkhorn. The middle school scored 27% in ELA, 15% in math and 13% in science—22, 24 and 23 points below state results, respectively. High school results vary by subject: its ELA exceeded the state’s 49%, but its 17% in math was 22 points below the state.

Results improved from 2024–2025 in ELA and math at all four schools, while science gains at the high school and middle school were offset by declines at both elementary schools. SchoolDigger’s 2025–2026 statewide ranking percentiles were 49 for the high school, 36 for Castroville, 21 for Elkhorn and 12 for the middle school. For additional context, in 2024–2025, free/reduced lunch eligible students accounted for 91% at Castroville and 84% at Elkhorn; their student-teacher ratios were 25 and 21.1, respectively. Castroville had stronger all-grades ELA and math results, while Elkhorn was slightly higher in science; these context measures do not explain the differences. The high school also reported a 93% graduation rate, above the state’s 88%, alongside chronic absenteeism of 23%, compared with 18% statewide.