San Benito County Schools & Education
San Benito County, California
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
38/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
83.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
83.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,690
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,762
School Score
38/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#57
of 58 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: San Benito County
School Verdict
San Benito County faces educational challenges with a school score of 38/100 and a graduation rate of 83.8%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,690 per pupil, San Benito County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for San Benito County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 31% below the California average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 3.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 12% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in San Benito County, California
Small-scale education in a rural setting
San Benito County operates a boutique school system of just 27 schools serving 11,519 students. These schools are distributed across 13 districts, focusing heavily on primary education with 17 elementary campuses.
Graduation rates trailing state averages
The county's graduation rate stands at 83.8%, which is lower than both the state and national averages of 87%. Investment is also lean, with per-pupil expenditure at $7,690 compared to the $13,000 national average.
Hollister districts dominate the landscape
The Hollister district is the primary provider, managing 10 schools for 5,670 students. Options outside traditional districts are limited, as there is currently only one charter school operating in the entire county.
A town and rural learning experience
Unlike its urban neighbors, San Benito's schools are split between town and rural locales, with no city or suburban designations. While Hollister High is a large hub with 3,465 students, the average school size is a modest 461 students.
Peaceful living near close-knit schools
For families seeking a slower pace, the county's rural and town-based schools offer a smaller, community-focused environment. Homebuyers in Hollister find themselves at the heart of the county's primary educational infrastructure.
School Overview
Total Schools
27
in San Benito County
Total Enrollment
11,519
students
School Districts
13
districts
Charter Schools
1
4% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
13 School Districts in San Benito County
Hollister
San Benito High
Aromas - San Juan Unified
North County Joint Union Elementary
Hollister Prep District
Southside Elementary
Tres Pinos Union Elementary
San Benito County Office of Education
Bitterwater-Tully Elementary
Cienega Union Elementary
27 Public Schools in San Benito County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollister High | San Benito High | 9–12 | High | 3,465 |
| Hollister Dual Language Academy | Hollister | KG–8 | Primary | 847 |
| Ladd Lane Elementary | Hollister | KG–7 | Primary | 776 |
| Spring Grove Elementary | North County Joint Union Elementary | KG–8 | Primary | 743 |
| Sunnyslope Elementary | Hollister | KG–7 | Primary | 640 |
| Rancho Santana | Hollister | KG–8 | Primary | 605 |
| Cerra Vista Elementary | Hollister | KG–7 | Primary | 599 |
| Calaveras Elementary | Hollister | KG–8 | Primary | 574 |
| Rancho San Justo | Hollister | 6–8 | Middle | 556 |
| Hollister Prep | Hollister Prep District | KG–8 | Charter | 539 |
| R. O. Hardin Elementary | Hollister | KG–5 | Primary | 457 |
| Maze Middle | Hollister | 6–8 | Middle | 452 |
| San Juan | Aromas - San Juan Unified | KG–8 | Primary | 335 |
| Anzar High | Aromas - San Juan Unified | 9–12 | High | 276 |
| Southside Elementary | Southside Elementary | KG–8 | Primary | 233 |
| Accelerated Achievement Academy | Hollister | 4–8 | Middle | 164 |
| San Andreas Continuation High | San Benito High | 9–12 | Alternative | 91 |
| Tres Pinos Elementary | Tres Pinos Union Elementary | KG–8 | Primary | 51 |
| Bitterwater-Tully Elementary | Bitterwater-Tully Elementary | KG–8 | Primary | 30 |
| San Benito County Opportunity | San Benito County Office of Education | 7–9 | Alternative | 23 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,690
State avg $8,762
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in San Benito County rate?
What is the graduation rate in San Benito County?
How much does San Benito County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in San Benito County, California — FAQ
What does the school system look like in San Benito County, California?
San Benito County operates a boutique school system of just 27 schools serving 11,519 students. These schools are distributed across 13 districts, focusing heavily on primary education with 17 elementary campuses.
How do schools in San Benito County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate stands at 83.8%, which is lower than both the state and national averages of 87%. Investment is also lean, with per-pupil expenditure at $7,690 compared to the $13,000 national average.
What are the major school districts in San Benito County, California?
The Hollister district is the primary provider, managing 10 schools for 5,670 students. Options outside traditional districts are limited, as there is currently only one charter school operating in the entire county.
What is the school experience like in San Benito County?
Unlike its urban neighbors, San Benito's schools are split between town and rural locales, with no city or suburban designations. While Hollister High is a large hub with 3,465 students, the average school size is a modest 461 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in San Benito County, California?
For families seeking a slower pace, the county's rural and town-based schools offer a smaller, community-focused environment. Homebuyers in Hollister find themselves at the heart of the county's primary educational infrastructure.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.