Porter-Vallejo Mansion · Photo: User:Ronbo76 · CC BY 2.5Pajaro’s public schools score below 67% of California districts on tests and graduation
In Pajaro, 17% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pajaro, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Pajaro’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 575 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pajaro’s, its schools beat 12%, lower than their 33% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 27% of tested students were proficient in reading and 17% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $22,477 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
16 elementary schools, then one middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Pajaro’s grade
C: better than 33% of California school districts, #723 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Pajaro, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Pajaro
Pajaro Middle
Grades 6–8 · 398 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
7th grade in Pajaro
Pajaro Middle
Grades 6–8 · 398 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
8th grade in Pajaro
Pajaro Middle
Grades 6–8 · 398 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
9th grade in Pajaro · depends on your address
Watsonville High
Grades 9–12 · 2,215 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
Pajaro Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
Aptos High
Grades 9–12 · 1,274 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Aptos
10th grade in Pajaro · depends on your address
Watsonville High
Grades 9–12 · 2,215 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
Pajaro Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
Aptos High
Grades 9–12 · 1,274 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Aptos
11th grade in Pajaro · depends on your address
Watsonville High
Grades 9–12 · 2,215 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
Pajaro Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
Aptos High
Grades 9–12 · 1,274 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Aptos
12th grade in Pajaro · depends on your address
Watsonville High
Grades 9–12 · 2,215 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
Pajaro Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Watsonville
Aptos High
Grades 9–12 · 1,274 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Aptos
Pajaro’s public schools are run by Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District, which also serves Watsonville. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Pajaro vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Pajaro’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pajaro | C | Pajaro Valley Joint Unified |
| Watsonville | C | Pajaro Valley Joint Unified |
Every school in Pajaro
20 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Pajaro’s schools
Are Pajaro’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Pajaro children attend score below 67% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #723 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 12%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pajaro in?
Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 16,482 students in 33 schools (2024–25).
Where do Pajaro kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Watsonville High, Pajaro Valley High and Aptos High.
What is Pajaro’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Pajaro spend per student?
$22,477 in Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Pajaro families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pajaro → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.