Average
#5825 of 9,533 schools in CA
Pajaro Middle
Middle School · Pajaro Valley Unified
250 Salinas Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watsonville
#9 of 27
public schools
California middle schools
#846 of 1,349
In district
#12 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Pajaro Middle
Pajaro Middle, located in Watsonville, California on Salinas Road, serves students in grades seven and eight. With an enrollment of 286 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment with 14 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education. Pajaro Middle is situated in a small suburban area within Monterey County.
The academic performance at Pajaro Middle shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and state ranking of #8330 out of 9566 schools in California (placing it in the 13th percentile). In terms of subject proficiency, only 18% of students are considered proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 8% demonstrate proficiency in Math. The school is focused on enhancing these areas and providing a nurturing environment that supports student development.
Pajaro Middle stands as an important community resource in its small suburban setting, offering middle school education to the local youth of Watsonville.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Pajaro Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Pajaro Middle is 20.4:1, 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
Pajaro Middle — Students at Pajaro Middle score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.5%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.
How Pajaro Middle Compares
See how Pajaro Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 7% (2019) to 8.46% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 16.67% (2024).
Location
250 Salinas Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pajaro Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. E. A. Hall Middle (rated 4.9/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cesar E. Chavez Middle (rated 4.5/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Watsonville, see our Watsonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Linscott Charter Watsonville | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Watsonville | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.9 mi | — |
| Watsonville High Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| PVUSD Virtual Academy Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Watsonville Prep Hollister | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Radcliff Elementary Watsonville | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| MORELAND NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Moreland Notre Dame Watsonville | 1.3 mi | — |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Mintie White Elementary Watsonville | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Watsonville | 1.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Landmark Elementary Watsonville | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville | 1.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Ohlone Elementary Watsonville | 2.2 mi | 3.9 |
| New School Community Day Watsonville | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Starlight Elementary Watsonville | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Diamond Technology Institute Watsonville | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
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 Pajaro 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 |
|---|---|
| Charles Maclay Middle Pacoima, CA | 5.9 |
| Foothill Intermediate Marysville, CA | 5.9 |
| King-Chavez Preparatory Academy San Diego, CA | 5.9 |
| Paradise Junior High Paradise, CA | 5.9 |
| Willows Intermediate Willows, CA | 5.9 |
| Adele Harrison Middle Sonoma, CA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pajaro Middle
What grades does Pajaro Middle serve?
Pajaro Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Pajaro Middle?
Pajaro Middle has an enrollment of approximately 286 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pajaro Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Pajaro Middle is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pajaro Middle rank in CA?
Pajaro Middle is ranked #5825 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pajaro Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Pajaro Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Pajaro Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pajaro Middle has 8.0% math proficiency and 18.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pajaro Middle a charter school?
No, Pajaro Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pajaro Middle a Title I school?
No, Pajaro Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pajaro Middle?
96.5% of students at Pajaro 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
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 286
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 728-6238
- 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
- #12 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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