Laureles Grade
Salinas, CA 93908

My daughter attends Salinas High. Most of the teachers are great educators. The staff is very responsive to parents concerns and the sports offered include extras like diving, mountain biking and golfing. The student population is not as diverse as I would like, but there is a decent mix of students from different social backgrounds. I have not given the school a 5/5 because of a previous year problem with a staff member that raised concerns over equity. Also, more recently I heard about a teacher having a conversation with a student that crosses professional boundaries. This is third party information that I did not witness. Overall, the teacher experiences my daughter has had have been great over the past 2 and a half years.

I am very happy with this school. The teachers and administration are passionate, creative and dedicated to their jobs and students. The school is large enough to provide a balanced experience, however it is also small enough to provide the students a very personal setting. My older daughter left for high school very well prepared, as were all of her friends. They are all thriving and I credit this school for properly preparing them. I consider myself honored to live in the district and couldn’t be happier.

This school appears to have lost sight of its most fundamental responsibility: providing a strong academic education. Rather than fostering a culture centered on intellectual growth, academic rigor, and student development, there seems to be a disproportionate focus on favoritism, social dynamics, and preferential treatment among certain families and students.The overall academic standards are underwhelming. Equally concerning is the apparent influence of individuals who seem unqualified to shape important decisions affecting the school community. Many of the parents and board members involved in leadership roles do not appear to possess the educational background, professional expertise, or vision necessary to guide a strong academic institution. The result is a school culture that feels more concerned with internal politics and favoritism than with preparing students for long-term success.Families seeking a school environment that prioritizes academic achievement, fairness, strong leadership, and meaningful student opportunities may ultimately find this institution highly disappointing.

This school has problems, many problems. Too many tenured teachers who are burnt out and should retire because they just don't seem to care about teaching anymore-it's just a paycheck. I think they are losing one of their great, new 4th grade teachers this year. If you send your child here be prepared for them not to learn much in fifth grade. Many students have tutors because the school is not doing it's job and most parents are afraid to complain. They will be babysat in a chaotic classroom which does not prepare them for middle school. The Principal and district super-intendent retired this year and I hope the new ones will be able to do something about the teachers who are no longer effective . There are some good teachers but you need to make sure your child does not end up in a bully's classroom. There are teachers at WU who have no problem yelling at your child or shaming them in front of the class. It is in one of the most expensive areas in the state, yet somehow it has no money for basics or to pay decently because they know the parents will foot the bill with donations. I won't be surprised if this school closes within the next 2 years. I hope it does because our children deserve better.