Education

The public schools in Monterey County, on La Mesa (located less than 2 miles from the Naval Postgraduate School) and on Ord Military Community are ran by the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD). The School year runs from early August through early June with three recesses (October, December, and March). 

Accreditation by the State

District curriculum is based on state guidelines to meet established educational goals and objectives and to fulfill the requirements of law. This is accomplished through an orderly progression of concepts and skills within each discipline in a planned sequence of learning experiences, early childhood through grade 12. Staff members and others serve in the development of curriculum with courses of study for each course. The educational program emphasizes mastery of the basic skills of reading, writing, and math through a coordinated K-12 curriculum. Students are required to perform at specified levels in the basic subject areas before they are promoted to the next grade.

Teacher to Student Ratio

The average teacher to student ratio in grades K-3 is 1:20 and 1:30.5 in grades 4 - 12. Grade 9 English and math classes are staffed at a mandatory class size of 1:20.  Total enrollment for MPUSD is 10,252.

Number of Schools

The school district has 12 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 4 high schools. There are no DoDDs schools on base.

Bus Service

There is a charge for bus service based upon income and/or family size. Bus Service information can be found on the District website or for public transportation go to https://mst.org/. Bus passes are available to military and dependents at a discounted rate. 

Meals

The Nutrition Services Department serves nutritious meals that meet USDA standards. The cost of these meals is subsidized by federal and state funds. Lunch is served at all schools, and breakfast at all middle and high schools and most elementary schools. Middle and High schools also have snack bars where a variety of Ala Carte items are sold. Information for school meals can be found on the District website.

Before and After School Programs

MPUSD offers these programs at selected elementary schools in the district for a nominal fee. Child and Youth Services also provides before and after school care, as well as care during school breaks.

Exceptional Children Programs 

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) Special Services requests that incoming military families with special needs children ages 3 years to high school contact the office and fax or mail the child’s current Individual Education Plan and/or other pertinent information. The District utilizes Student Support Services. For more information contact 831-645-1207

School Sports Programs

Participating in sports at the middle school level in MPUSD is part of the after school care program.  High school sports are available for students and may include: soccer, football, volleyball, basketball, hockey, tennis, wrestling, cheerleading and tract and field.

The public schools in Monterey County, on La Mesa (located less than 2 miles from the Naval Postgraduate School) and on Ord Military Community are run by the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD).  The school year runs from early August through early June with three recesses (October, December, and March)..

Monterey County is home to several private schools in the area, please contact the individual school for more information:  

In California, there are several ways that parents educate their children at home: through an existing private school, through a public charter or independent study program, and in many instances by opening their own private home-based school and filing the Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the California Department of Education

The CDE does not provide guidance on how to home school; however, a lot of information on all aspects of home schooling is available online to assist those who are educating their children at home. In addition, there are other resources such as California homeschool organizations and possibly local homeschool groups or meet-ups. The websites for these groups include information on various topics related to homeschooling such as legal issues, curriculum, recordkeeping, transcripts and diplomas, and much more. When you use the internet to search the term “California Homeschool” you will note that there are various different homeschool advocacy groups, both California-based and national, that can be a resource.

Parents who file the private school affidavit to privately educate or "home school" their children must select and provide all curricular, instructional, and other materials.

Education Code (EC) Section 33190 requires a copy of the Affidavit be kept at the school. Requirements of what must be included in the Affidavit are also outlined in EC Section 33190. EC Section 48222 states:

Private School Affidavit Instructions

Prior to beginning the affidavit filing process, please review the Notice to ensure that your school meets the affidavit filing requirements. To begin the online affidavit filing process, indicate whether or not the school is a full-time private school that meets the exemptions as set forth in California Education Code (EC) Section 48222

Note: If your school is not a full-time private school, you do not need to file an affidavit.

Previously Filed PSA

If you filed a PSA last year, we California Department of Education (CDE) can use a portion of that information to expedite the filing of this year's affidavit. Indicate how you would like to proceed by selecting to proceed using last year's affidavit information or to proceed using a blank affidavit.

If you choose to proceed using last year's affidavit information, you will be prompted to provide your confirmation number or an email address that can be used to retrieve your confirmation number. Once you provide a confirmation number or if you chose to proceed with a blank affidavit, you will be taken to the first step of the affidavit process.

Confirmation

Once you’ve submitted your affidavit, you will be directed to a Submission Confirmation page, which you may print or save for your records. You will also receive an email confirmation containing your confirmation code and links to view, update, and/or print your affidavit.

Private School Affidavit Instructions: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/psainstructions.asp

There is limited or no adult education on the installation. The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District offers day and evening classes providing an avenue for adults to earn a high school diploma or a General Education Development certificate. Courses offered include parenting education, citizenship classes, computer lab, English as a Second Language, Alzheimer, and classes tailored for older adults.   You can contact them at 831-646-4000.

Monterey Adult School, 295 La Salle Ave, Seaside, CA 93955 Phone: 831-392-3517

Pacific Groove Adult education, 1025 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 Phone: 831-646-6580

Carmel Adult School, 8421 Carmel valley Road Carmel, CA 93923 Phone: 831-624-1714/ 831-624-3855

For additional information, see Education-Training (College/Technical).