Original Research by School Decision on Toro Preschool
Toro Preschool is a public preschool program located in Salinas within the Washington Union Elementary district, serving children in the preschool age range. The school is situated in a community experiencing significant change and growth pressure.
Salinas is the largest city and county seat of Monterey County, anchored economically by agriculture and known as the "Salad Bowl of the World." The city blends older character—a revitalized downtown with Victorian and Art Deco architecture, locally owned shops, and the National Steinbeck Center—with newer development. New housing construction is concentrated in planned growth areas north of the city, driven by state housing mandates and a persistent local shortage. Housing values in the zip code are well above both state and national benchmarks, and monthly mortgage costs substantially exceed typical rents, creating affordability pressure for families.
The district itself faces structural challenges that matter for families considering preschool enrollment. Washington Union Elementary has experienced declining enrollment and is exploring becoming a "basic aid" district by restricting inter-district transfer enrollment and relying solely on resident students. This shift would change who can attend district schools and affects long-term resource availability. Additionally, the district proposed a reorganization for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years that would relocate fourth graders to Toro Park Elementary and fifth graders to San Benancio Middle School, stemming from a potential lease of the main Washington Union Elementary campus to the Monterey County Office of Education. Families should clarify the district's current enrollment policies and campus structure directly with the school, as reorganizations at the elementary level can eventually affect school placement trajectories.
The district also faced a failed facilities bond in November 2022, falling short of the required supermajority. This means planned facility upgrades were not funded, leaving aging campuses unaddressed and shaping budget priorities going forward.
State testing data, enrollment numbers, demographic breakdowns, free-or-reduced-price-lunch rates, and school staffing information were not available for Toro Preschool. This is typical for preschool programs, which fall outside most state academic accountability systems. Parents interested in program quality, classroom ratios, curriculum approach, whether the program is full-day or part-day, and accessibility should contact the school directly at the San Benancio Road location.
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