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Average

#4750 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 50% in state

Aptos Junior High

Middle School · Pajaro Valley Unified

PO Box 367, Aptos, CA 95003

Enrollment

588

Student-Teacher

22.6:1

Score

6.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,750 of 9,539

In Aptos

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#6 of 33

Pajaro Valley Unified

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Aptos Junior High

6.4/10

Middle School in Aptos · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Valencia Elementary

8.1/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Orchard School

5.2/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Aptos Junior High

Aptos Junior High is a public middle school in Aptos, CA, part of Pajaro Valley Unified. Aptos Junior High serves approximately 588 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 22.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Aptos Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #4,750 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Aptos Junior High show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Aptos Junior High runs 22.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

35% of students at Aptos Junior High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+1.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,409
Chronic Absenteeism34.9%

Aptos Junior High — Students at Aptos Junior High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 45.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 55.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 28 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
50%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
66%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
53%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
54%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
48%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
34.4%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
35.6%
ELA
44.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.

How Aptos Junior High Compares

See how Aptos Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in CA
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 367, Aptos, CA 95003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Aptos Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Valencia Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Main Street Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Soquel Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Aptos, see our Aptos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Valencia Elementary Aptos 0.7 mi 8.1
ORCHARD SCHOOL Aptos 1.3 mi 5.2
Rio del Mar Elementary Aptos 1.3 mi 5.9
Aptos High Aptos 1.1 mi 6.3
Seacliff Academy Aptos 1.3 mi
St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy Aptos 1.6 mi
Chrysostom Classical Academy Aptos 1.5 mi
Mar Vista Elementary Aptos 2.1 mi 4.3
Delta Charter Aptos 2.5 mi 5.8
TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos 2.6 mi 5.1
Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel 3.1 mi
Renaissance High Continuation La Selva Beach 4.0 mi 5.9
Tara Redwood School Soquel 3.8 mi
New Brighton Middle Capitola 3.6 mi 6.2
SALESIAN ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Corralitos 3.9 mi 6.6
Salesian Elementary and Jr. High Corralitos 3.9 mi
Main Street Elementary Soquel 4.1 mi 7.2
Bradley Elementary Watsonville 4.1 mi 3.8
Soquel Elementary Soquel 4.2 mi 6.9
Opal Cliffs Capitola 4.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,990

Median Home Value

$1,154,000

Median Rent

$2,548/mo

Population

24,708

College Educated

54.5%

Homeownership

72.2%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

3.7%

Median Age

48.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alliance Virgil Roberts Leadership Academy Los Angeles, CA 6.4
Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle East Palo Alto, CA 6.4
El Capitan Middle Fresno, CA 6.4
Fern Bacon Middle Sacramento, CA 6.4
George T. Egling Middle Colusa, CA 6.4
Hawthorne Middle Hawthorne, CA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Aptos Junior High

What grades does Aptos Junior High serve?

Aptos Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Aptos Junior High?

Aptos Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 588 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Aptos Junior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Aptos Junior High is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Aptos Junior High rank in CA?

Aptos Junior High ranks #4,750 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Aptos Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Aptos Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Aptos Junior High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Aptos Junior High has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Aptos Junior High a charter school?

No, Aptos Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Aptos Junior High a Title I school?

No, Aptos Junior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Aptos Junior High?

48.0% of students at Aptos Junior High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
588
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Cruz County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.9%

District

Pajaro Valley Unified
District Enrollment
17,013
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,409
District Rank
#6 of 33

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