Average
#7626 of 9,533 schools in CA
Aptos Junior High
Middle School · Pajaro Valley Unified
PO Box 367, Aptos, CA 95003
Enrollment
588
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
5.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
588
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
5.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aptos
#5 of 6
public schools
California middle schools
#1,139 of 1,349
In district
#20 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
About Aptos Junior High
Aptos Junior High is a regular public middle school located in the mid-size suburb of Aptos, California. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 588 students and employs 26 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1. The MySchoolScout Rating for Aptos Junior High is 5.2 out of 10, placing it at the 46th percentile among California schools with a state ranking of #5133 out of 9566 schools.
Academically, students perform around average in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, with 48% reaching proficiency or above, while 39% achieve proficiency or higher in math. Despite the current academic standing, Aptos Junior High continues to focus on student development and offers a supportive learning environment for its middle schoolers. The school is situated in a suburban area that provides a safe and nurturing setting for students to transition through their formative years.
Located in a vibrant community with easy access to nature and local amenities, Aptos Junior High benefits from the surrounding mid-size suburb's character and resources.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Aptos Junior High is 22.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Aptos Junior High — Students at Aptos Junior High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.9/10.
How Aptos Junior High Compares
See how Aptos Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 35.56% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 44.62% (2024).
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 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aptos High (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SALESIAN ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Corralitos), which scores notably 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 | 8.5 |
| ORCHARD SCHOOL Aptos | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Rio del Mar Elementary Aptos | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Aptos High Aptos | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| Delta Charter Aptos | 2.5 mi | 6.1 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 3.8 mi | — |
| New Brighton Middle Capitola | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| Bradley Elementary Watsonville | 4.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 4.2 mi | 6.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Aptos Junior High has a median household income of $140,990. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,154,000, with a median rent of $2,548/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Almeria Middle Fontana, CA | 5.0 |
| Brookhurst Junior High Anaheim, CA | 5.0 |
| CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY MIDDLE SCHOOL Chatsworth, CA | 5.0 |
| Cardozo Middle Riverbank, CA | 5.0 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle Hayward, CA | 5.0 |
| Crescent Elk Middle Crescent City, CA | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #7626 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Aptos Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Aptos Junior High has a composite rating of 5.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Aptos Junior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Aptos Junior High has 38.9% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (487/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (831) 688-3234
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #20 of 33
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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