Graves Elementary

Graves Elementary, a rural-scale primary school in Salinas, California, operated by Graves Elementary, hosts 32 students, covering grades K through 8. Compared to the state average of about 465 students per school, that is 93% smaller than typical.

Graves Elementary is a school of Graves Elementary, the district that handles curriculum, staffing, and budget for the campus.

In terms of who attends, Graves Elementary shows that nearly all students (88%) are Hispanic. Other groups include 6% White, 3% multiracial, 3% Native American. The wider county runs roughly 62% Hispanic, putting the school's mix meaningfully more Hispanic than the area baseline.

Looking at the economic backdrop, The school currently runs with 2 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 16.0:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 22.3:1, putting Graves Elementary tighter than the state norm the norm. About 59% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. That share is below Monterey County's rate of about 76%.

On a demographically-adjusted basis, Graves Elementary sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 44.8%; this one delivers 38.2%.

In the broader community, Monterey County reports that the typical household earns roughly $97,230 per year, 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 10%. Across Monterey County's 153 public schools (combined enrollment of about 73,845 students), Graves Elementary is one campus in the mix.

Boronda Elementary is the nearest neighboring public school, about 1.5 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius. Among the 7 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Graves Elementary ranks 1st on composite proficiency, above the local average of 24.6%.

Geographically, the school is in a rural area.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Graves Elementary has fell 20%, going from 40 students in 2018 to 32 in 2025. The Hispanic share of enrollment climbed from 68% to 88% over that span. Class-load math has fell: from 20.0:1 in 2018 to 16.0:1 in 2025.

On this page, the feed for Graves Elementary typically covers enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.