Below Average
#7867 of 9,539 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
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
547
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,867 of 9,539
In Watsonville
#17 of 27
public schools
In district
#21 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
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Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Middle School in Watsonville · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Starlight Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Diamond Technology Institute
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Cesar E. Chavez Middle is a public middle school in Watsonville, CA, part of Pajaro Valley Unified. Cesar E.
Chavez Middle serves approximately 547 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21:1 student-teacher ratio. Cesar E. Chavez Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #7,867 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Cesar E. Chavez Middle show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 4.5
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Cesar E. Chavez Middle runs 21:1 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.
42% of students at Cesar E. Chavez Middle 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 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: 23%).
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 30 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: 5.2/10.
How Cesar E. Chavez Middle Compares
See how Cesar E. Chavez Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 4.4/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, E. A. Hall Middle (rated 3.7/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 4.9 |
| Diamond Technology Institute Watsonville | 0.3 mi | 8.9 |
| H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Landmark Elementary Watsonville | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| New School Community Day Watsonville | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 3.4 |
| Freedom Elementary Freedom | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Mintie White Elementary Watsonville | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Watsonville Prep Hollister | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Rolling Hills Middle Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter Freedom | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 1.1 mi | — |
| Pacific Coast Charter Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Watsonville High Watsonville | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| PVUSD Virtual Academy Watsonville | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Castle Park Middle Chula Vista, CA | 4.6 |
| Central Middle Riverside, CA | 4.6 |
| Compton Junior High Bakersfield, CA | 4.6 |
| Delta Sierra Middle Stockton, CA | 4.6 |
| Equitas Academy 4 Los Angeles, CA | 4.6 |
| John Barrett Middle Carmichael, CA | 4.6 |
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 ranks #7,867 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Cesar E. Chavez Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Cesar E. Chavez Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Cesar E. Chavez Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cesar E. Chavez Middle has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.7%
- Phone
- (831) 761-7699
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #21 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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