Below Average
#8363 of 9,533 schools in CA
Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Middle School · Pajaro Valley Unified
440 Arthur Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076
Enrollment
547
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
547
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watsonville
#23 of 27
public schools
California middle schools
#1,229 of 1,349
In district
#28 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Cesar E. Chavez Middle, located in Watsonville, California, is a public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 547 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention and support for its young learners.
The teaching staff consists of 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to guiding their students through this crucial stage of education. The academic performance at Cesar E. Chavez Middle currently reflects areas with room for improvement.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school ranks in the third percentile among California schools, and only 15% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, while a mere 8% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to focusing on student development and growth. Cesar E.
Chavez Middle is situated in a small city setting within Santa Cruz County, offering its students a close-knit community environment conducive to learning and personal connections.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Cesar E. Chavez Middle is 21:1, 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
Cesar E. Chavez Middle — Students at Cesar E. Chavez Middle score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 4.2/10.
How Cesar E. Chavez Middle Compares
See how Cesar E. Chavez Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 7.32% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 11.47% (2024).
Location
440 Arthur Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cesar E. Chavez Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rolling Hills Middle (rated 5.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, E. A. Hall Middle (rated 4.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Watsonville, see our Watsonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Starlight Elementary Watsonville | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Diamond Technology Institute Watsonville | 0.3 mi | 8.0 |
| H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Landmark Elementary Watsonville | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| New School Community Day Watsonville | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| GREEN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| MORELAND NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Moreland Notre Dame Watsonville | 0.7 mi | — |
| Radcliff Elementary Watsonville | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Freedom Elementary Freedom | 0.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Mintie White Elementary Watsonville | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Watsonville Prep Hollister | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Rolling Hills Middle Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter Freedom | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 1.1 mi | — |
| Pacific Coast Charter Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Watsonville High Watsonville | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| PVUSD Virtual Academy Watsonville | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95076 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,685
Median Home Value
$767,200
Median Rent
$1,851/mo
Population
82,409
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
27.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cesar E. Chavez Middle has a median household income of $86,685. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $767,200, with a median rent of $1,851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Arellanes Junior High Santa Maria, CA | 4.5 |
| Benjamin Franklin Intermediate Colma, CA | 4.5 |
| EV Cain Middle Auburn, CA | 4.5 |
| Firebaugh Middle Firebaugh, CA | 4.5 |
| Gavilan View Middle Salinas, CA | 4.5 |
| Norman L. Sullivan Middle Bonsall, CA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cesar E. Chavez Middle
What grades does Cesar E. Chavez Middle serve?
Cesar E. Chavez Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Cesar E. Chavez Middle?
Cesar E. Chavez Middle has an enrollment of approximately 547 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cesar E. Chavez Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Cesar E. Chavez Middle is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cesar E. Chavez Middle rank in CA?
Cesar E. Chavez Middle is ranked #8363 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Cesar E. Chavez Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Cesar E. Chavez Middle has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Cesar E. Chavez Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cesar E. Chavez Middle has 8.0% math proficiency and 14.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cesar E. Chavez Middle a charter school?
No, Cesar E. Chavez Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cesar E. Chavez Middle a Title I school?
No, Cesar E. Chavez Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cesar E. Chavez Middle?
91.8% of students at Cesar E. Chavez Middle 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
- City Safety
- High (1,589/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watsonville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 547
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 761-7699
- 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
- #28 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.
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