Home

All NMCUSD schools will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026. District offices will remain open during regular business hours. We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, October 13.

North Monterey County Unified School District (NMCUSD) is now accepting applications for KidZone, a year-round school-age care and enrichment program supporting working families.

Designed for students in grades TK–6th, KidZone provides safe, fun, and educational environments before school, after school, on non-school days, and during the summer.

• Who Can Enroll:
  • Children enrolled in grades TK through 6th grade.
  • Families meeting California CDSS eligibility requirements.
  • Families in need of care before school, after school, or during summer breaks.
• Program Locations:
  • Castroville Elementary School
  • Prunedale Elementary School 
  • Echo Valley Elementary School 

How to Apply: Paper applications are available for pick-up in person:

• Location: Early Learning Office – Room 26 (Castroville Elementary School, 1161 Merritt St. Entrance on Pajaro St. Look for the "Castroville Preschool" sign).

For questions or additional details, please call 831-633-3343 x1703.

At North Monterey County Unified School District (NMCUSD), we are dedicated to creating supportive environments where every student can focus, engage, and succeed. To help minimize classroom distractions, the NMCUSD Board of Education approved a new Mobile Communication Devices Policy at its May 28, 2026 board meeting.

This policy aligns with California’s Phone-Free School Act (AB 3216) and officially takes effect at the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

Our top priority is student learning and well-being. Research consistently shows that reducing personal screen time during the school day leads to positive outcomes for students, including:

• Improved Academic Focus: Fewer digital distractions mean better engagement in classroom lessons.
• Stronger Social Connections: Students interact more face-to-face with peers during downtime.
• Better Mental Health: Reducing constant notifications helps lower anxiety and stress among young people.

While we recognize that personal devices are a part of modern life and valuable for families before and after school, establishing clear expectations ensures that our instructional hours remain focused on learning.

The policy sets clear, age-appropriate guidelines across our schools:

• Elementary & Middle School: Personal devices must be turned off or silenced and kept completely out of sight for the entire school day.
• High School: Personal devices must be turned off or silenced and stored away during instructional time. Usage is permitted during lunch and designated non-instructional breaks.

We invite families to partner with us as we support our students in building healthy digital habits.

• 📝 Parent Workshops: Interested in learning more about managing digital balance at home? Fill out our Social Media & Cell Phone Safety Workshop Interest Form.
• ℹ️ Policy Details: Find complete policy details and additional family resources Visit the Mobile Device Policy Page.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we work together to ensure every student is college, career, and life ready!

Watch Cell Phone Policy and Procedures Video 

At North Monterey County Unified School District (NMCUSD), we are dedicated to creating supportive environments where every student can focus, engage, and succeed. To help minimize classroom distractions, the NMCUSD Board of Education approved a new Mobile Communication Devices Policy at its May 28, 2026 board meeting.

This policy aligns with California’s Phone-Free School Act (AB 3216) and officially takes effect at the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

Our top priority is student learning and well-being. Research consistently shows that reducing personal screen time during the school day leads to positive outcomes for students, including:

• Improved Academic Focus: Fewer digital distractions mean better engagement in classroom lessons.
• Stronger Social Connections: Students interact more face-to-face with peers during downtime.
• Better Mental Health: Reducing constant notifications helps lower anxiety and stress among young people.

While we recognize that personal devices are a part of modern life and valuable for families before and after school, establishing clear expectations ensures that our instructional hours remain focused on learning.

The policy sets clear, age-appropriate guidelines across our schools:

• Elementary & Middle School: Personal devices must be turned off or silenced and kept completely out of sight for the entire school day.
• High School: Personal devices must be turned off or silenced and stored away during instructional time. Usage is permitted during lunch and designated non-instructional breaks.

We invite families to partner with us as we support our students in building healthy digital habits.

• 📝 Parent Workshops: Interested in learning more about managing digital balance at home? Fill out our Social Media & Cell Phone Safety Workshop Interest Form.
• ℹ️ Policy Details: Find complete policy details and additional family resources Visit the Mobile Device Policy Page.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we work together to ensure every student is college, career, and life ready!

Watch Cell Phone Policy and Procedures Video 

The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) officially approved North Monterey County High School’s accreditation.

The Commission granted our NMCHS a seven-year accreditation status through June 30, 2032. This is a major milestone that recognizes the hard work of our teachers, staff, students, and families.

What is WASC Accreditation and why does it matter?

Think of WASC accreditation as a highly respected "seal of approval" for schools. It means an outside team of education experts closely examined our classes, programs, and student support systems and confirmed that North Monterey County High School meets high standards of quality.

This accreditation ensures that:

• Our students receive a high-quality education.
• The classes our students take are widely recognized by colleges and universities.
• Our school is committed to continuous improvement and student success.

What are the next steps?

Accreditation is an ongoing journey of improvement. To keep our high standards, our high school will:

• Submit a progress report during the 2027–2028 school year to show how we are putting our school improvement plans into action.
• Provide a mid-cycle report during the 2028–2029 school year to keep the Commission updated on our students' academic progress.

These reports will focus directly on improving student achievement and making sure every student has the tools they need to succeed.

Thank you to the entire Condor family for their dedication to making North Monterey County High School a place where students can thrive.