Photo: Mrwrite · Public domainWatsonville’s public schools score below 67% of California districts on tests and graduation
17% of students in Watsonville’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Watsonville, 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.
Watsonville’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 549 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Watsonville’s, its schools beat 15%, 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 ↓
Eight elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy, Watsonville Prep, Pacific Coast Charter, Diamond Technology Institute, Linscott Charter and Moreland Notre Dame School (private) are in town. PVUSD Virtual Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Watsonville’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 Watsonville, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Watsonville · depends on your address
Rolling Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 588 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Grades 6–8 · 548 students · 20:1 students per teacher
E. A. Hall Middle
Grades 6–8 · 491 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Watsonville · depends on your address
Rolling Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 588 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Grades 6–8 · 548 students · 20:1 students per teacher
E. A. Hall Middle
Grades 6–8 · 491 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Watsonville · depends on your address
Rolling Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 588 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Grades 6–8 · 548 students · 20:1 students per teacher
E. A. Hall Middle
Grades 6–8 · 491 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Watsonville · depends on your address
Watsonville High
Grades 9–12 · 2,215 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Pajaro Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Watsonville · depends on your address
Watsonville High
Grades 9–12 · 2,215 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Pajaro Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Watsonville · depends on your address
Watsonville High
Grades 9–12 · 2,215 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Pajaro Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Watsonville · depends on your address
Watsonville High
Grades 9–12 · 2,215 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Pajaro Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Watsonville’s public schools are run by Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District. 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
Watsonville vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Watsonville’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Watsonville | C | Pajaro Valley Joint Unified |
Every school in Watsonville
21 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Duncan Holbert).
Questions about Watsonville’s schools
Are Watsonville’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Watsonville 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 15%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Watsonville in?
Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 16,482 students in 33 schools (2024–25).
Where do Watsonville kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Watsonville High and Pajaro Valley High.
What is Watsonville’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 Watsonville 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 Watsonville?
Yes: Moreland Notre Dame School (Catholic, grades K–8, 273 students). Watsonville also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Watsonville families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Watsonville → 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.