Below Average
#7737 of 9,539 schools in CA
Pajaro Middle
Middle School · Pajaro Valley Unified
250 Salinas Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,737 of 9,539
In Watsonville
#16 of 27
public schools
In district
#20 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
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Pajaro Middle
Middle School in Watsonville · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Linscott Charter
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pajaro Middle
Pajaro Middle is a public middle school in Watsonville, CA, part of Pajaro Valley Unified. Pajaro Middle serves approximately 286 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Pajaro Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,737 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Pajaro Middle show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 4.5
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Pajaro Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Pajaro Middle runs 20.4:1 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.
63% of students at Pajaro 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
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 28 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: 6.2/10.
How Pajaro Middle Compares
See how Pajaro 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
250 Salinas Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pajaro Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cesar E. Chavez Middle (rated 4.6/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, E. A. Hall Middle (rated 3.7/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.0 |
| Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Watsonville | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.9 mi | — |
| Watsonville High Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| PVUSD Virtual Academy Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Watsonville Prep Hollister | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Radcliff Elementary Watsonville | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| 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 | 3.7 |
| Mintie White Elementary Watsonville | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Watsonville | 1.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Landmark Elementary Watsonville | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Ohlone Elementary Watsonville | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| New School Community Day Watsonville | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Starlight Elementary Watsonville | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Diamond Technology Institute Watsonville | 2.2 mi | 8.9 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Carquinez Middle Crockett, CA | 4.7 |
| Denair Middle Denair, CA | 4.7 |
| High Desert Acton, CA | 4.7 |
| KIPP Scholar Academy Los Angeles, CA | 4.7 |
| Mountain Vista Middle Kelseyville, CA | 4.7 |
| Piner-Olivet Charter Santa Rosa, CA | 4.7 |
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 ranks #7,737 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Pajaro Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Pajaro Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Pajaro Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pajaro Middle has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 62.6%
- Phone
- (831) 728-6238
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
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