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Rio del Mar, California (1) (cropped)Photo: Cristiano Tomás · CC BY-SA 4.0
C
Schools in Rio del Mar · Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District

Rio del Mar’s public schools score below 67% of California districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 17% of Rio del Mar’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rio del Mar, 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.

#723of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
27%
▼ 20 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
17%
▼ 16 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
89%
▲ 3 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$22.5K
▲ 6% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
21.2
CA 21.6
Schools in town
2
8,212 students on the public path
In brief

Rio del Mar’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 266 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rio del Mar’s, its schools beat 5%, 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 ↓

One elementary school, then six middle and three high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Oasis, Outdoor Autism/Special Issues School (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Rio del Mar’s grade

C− Test scoresC+ Graduation

C: better than 33% of California school districts, #723 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 33%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (266)Better than 5%
CC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 9,082 test results and a graduating class of 1,292 could put Rio del Mar anywhere from C to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Rio del Mar’s students in the tested grades sat them (9,105 in math, 9,058 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rio del Mar, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–6Rio del Mar ElementaryPajaro Valley Joint Unified School DistrictNo scores
7–86 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores

Rio del Mar’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.

Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 33 schools · 16,482 students, down 9% since 2020–21 · 21.2 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$22,477CA $21,206 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading27%
State average 46.7% · 9058 students tested
Math17%
State average 33.1% · 9105 students tested

Rio del Mar vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Rio del Mar’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Rio del MarCPajaro Valley Joint Unified

Every school in Rio del Mar

11 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).

District schools in Rio del Marby address
Rio del Mar Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Aptos
393 students21:1Rate it →
Also serving Rio del Marin other towns
Rolling Hills Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Watsonville
588 students21:1Rate it →
Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Watsonville
548 students20:1Rate it →
E. A. Hall Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Watsonville
491 students22:1Rate it →
Lakeview Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Watsonville
425 students22:1Rate it →
Pajaro Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Watsonville
398 students22:1Rate it →
Aptos Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Aptos
587 students22:1Rate it →
Watsonville High
High · Grades 9–12 · Watsonville
2,215 students24:1Rate it →
Pajaro Valley High
High · Grades 9–12 · Watsonville
1,293 students22:1Rate it →
Aptos High
High · Grades 9–12 · Aptos
1,274 students22:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Oasis, Outdoor Autism/Special Issues School
Aptos
Private · Special education
1 students2:1Rate it →

Questions about Rio del Mar’s schools

Are Rio del Mar’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Rio del Mar 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 5%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Rio del Mar in?

Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 16,482 students in 33 schools (2024–25).

Where do Rio del Mar kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Watsonville High, Pajaro Valley High and Aptos High.

What is Rio del Mar’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 Rio del Mar 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.

Are there private schools in Rio del Mar?

Yes: Oasis, Outdoor Autism/Special Issues School (special education, grades , 1 students).

Parents talk

What Rio del Mar families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rio del Mar → 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.