Benicia Unified, CA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Benicia Unified

Benicia Unified serves kindergarten through twelfth grade across Solano County in a district of roughly four thousand students. The demographic composition is diverse: roughly four in ten students identify as white, a quarter as Hispanic, about one in ten as Asian, and a smaller share as Black or multiracial. Enrollment data for students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch and for English learners was not available.

In state testing for 2024-25, Benicia's performance across math, English language arts, and science sits below the midpoint statewide. In math, the district reaches proficiency in the low to mid-fifties across grades three through eight, with stronger results in grades three and four and weaker showing in grade six. English language arts mirrors this pattern, with proficiency in the low sixties in early elementary and declining through middle school, dropping to the high forties by grade eight. Science proficiency is notably lower, hovering around mid-forties in grade five and falling to the high thirties by grade eight. The district reports an overall proficiency index well above the median among Solano County's districts, placing Benicia in the top quartile of county systems on this measure.

Chronic absenteeism runs at about one in four students, a rate that sits above the county median. The district reports per-pupil spending in the lower range relative to other county districts.

Publicly reported, the district has undertaken curriculum shifts with potential immediate classroom impact. Elementary teachers received training in the Science of Reading and the district adopted the Wonders 2023 English Language Arts curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade. At the middle level, a new CPM Inspiring Connections math curriculum was implemented with reported gains in seventh-grade cohort performance. Additionally, the district adopted a Human Growth, Development and Sexual Health curriculum for grades five, seven, and ten, taught in those grades by homeroom or science teachers.

The district operates eight schools: four elementary buildings, one middle school, and three secondary options including two comprehensive high schools and a community day program.

On the financial side, the district faces headwinds. Enrollment has declined over roughly a decade and is projected to continue falling through 2028-29. The loss of one-time state grants combined with rising costs has created sustained budget pressure. The district projects deficit spending and a drawn-down reserve balance, with potential staff reductions and layoffs ahead. In March 2024, voters approved Measure C, a general obligation bond for facility repairs and renovation across district schools, financed through property taxes over roughly thirty years and extending an expiring bond at a lower rate.

The housing market in the district's primary area, Benicia proper, values homes in the mid to upper seven-hundred thousands and has seen a modest annual decline. Rental costs are in the mid-twenty-hundreds per month. At the stated mortgage rate and down payment assumption, monthly housing costs place affordability within reasonable reach relative to median income for the region, though families should confirm current rates and assess their own circumstances.

A parent seeking this district should understand a system managing genuine enrollment and budget challenges while actively revising elementary and middle curriculum. Test performance is below state average and warrants attention, particularly in science. The district's position in the county, however, is relatively strong on proficiency measures. Declining enrollment may reshape class sizes and offerings in coming years.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

4,372

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 26%

Black 5%

White 41%

Asian 11%

Two+ 16%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

37%

—

Gr 3

49%

67%

Gr 4

42%

70%

Gr 5

38%

66%

Gr 6

23%

54%

Gr 7

36%

59%

Gr 8

25%

55%

Gr 11

45%

—

Math

Gr ALL

35%

—

Gr 3

49%

74%

Gr 4

48%

69%

Gr 5

39%

62%

Gr 6

23%

53%

Gr 7

25%

67%

Gr 8

34%

62%

Gr 11

24%

—

Science

Gr ALL

26%

—

Gr 5

25%

55%

Gr 8

25%

42%

Gr 11

25%

—

Gr HS

25%

—

Gr UG_SEC

26%

—

Schools in this District

8 schools are officially reported under this district.

Benicia High

Benicia Middle

Mary Farmar Elementary

Liberty High

Robert Semple Elementary

Matthew Turner Elementary

Joe Henderson Elementary

Community Day

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

67%

Grade 3

64%

Grade 4

55%

Grade 5

46%

Grade 6

55%

Grade 7

56%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

62%

Grade 3

63%

Grade 4

58%

Grade 5

46%

Grade 6

53%

Grade 7

48%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

47%

Grade 5

38%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

72%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$778,569

Year-over-year change-0.8%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$591K to $787K

vs. state typical1.00x

vs. national typical2.11x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
94510	Benicia	$787K	-0.6%	90.9%
94534	Fairfield	$701K	-2.2%	8.7%
94591	Vallejo	$591K	-4.6%	0.4%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$2,464/mo

Year-over-year change-0.8%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$2,246 to $2,658/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
94510	Benicia	$2,446	-0.9%	90.9%
94534	Fairfield	$2,658	+0.5%	8.7%
94591	Vallejo	$2,246	+0.2%	0.4%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$3,929/mo

Home price / national median income9.3x

Annual rent / national median income35.3%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$1,465/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.