Photo: Colin Marquardt, Colin Marquardt · Public domainPetaluma’s public schools outscore 73% of California districts
In Petaluma, 40% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Petaluma, 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 96% 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.
Petaluma’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 40% across its districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,622 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Live Oak Charter, River Montessori Elementary Charter, Miwok Valley Elementary Charter, Sonoma Mountain Elementary, Loma Vista Immersion Academy, Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley, Petaluma Accelerated Charter, Dual Language Immersion Academy Charter, The Spring Hill School (private), St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School (private), Harvest Christian School (private), St. Vincent de Paul High School (private), Cypress School (private) and Cypress Primary School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Petaluma’s grade
B+: better than 73% of California school districts, #219 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Petaluma, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Petaluma · depends on your address
Kenilworth Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 812 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Petaluma Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 454 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Petaluma · depends on your address
Kenilworth Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 812 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Petaluma Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 454 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Petaluma · depends on your address
Casa Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 1,653 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Petaluma High
Grades 9–12 · 1,193 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Petaluma · depends on your address
Casa Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 1,653 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Petaluma High
Grades 9–12 · 1,193 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Petaluma · depends on your address
Casa Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 1,653 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Petaluma High
Grades 9–12 · 1,193 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Petaluma · depends on your address
Casa Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 1,653 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Petaluma High
Grades 9–12 · 1,193 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Parts of Petaluma (3% of its land) are served by Waugh Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Petaluma
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Petaluma vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Petaluma’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Petaluma | B+ | Petaluma Joint Union High K–12 · Petaluma City Elementary K–12 · Old Adobe Union Elementary K–6 |
Every school in Petaluma
29 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).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Valley Oaks Elementary (Alternative), Valley Vista Public Waldorf, Carpe Diem High (Continuation) and Sonoma Mountain High (Necessary Small School)).
Questions about Petaluma’s schools
Are Petaluma’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Petaluma children attend outscore 73% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #219 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 72%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Petaluma in?
Petaluma Joint Union High School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 4,900 students in 11 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Petaluma are served by Waugh Elementary.
Where do Petaluma kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Casa Grande High and Petaluma High.
What is Petaluma’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Petaluma Joint Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Petaluma spend per student?
$19,622 in Old Adobe Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Petaluma?
Yes: The Spring Hill School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 220 students), St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 192 students), Harvest Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 183 students), St. Vincent de Paul High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 169 students), Cypress School (special education, grades 8–12, 43 students) and Cypress Primary School (special education, grades K–10, 37 students). Petaluma also has 8 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Petaluma families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Petaluma → 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.