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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.5Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.7%
Math vs. State Avg-25.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.6 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,077

Pajaro Middle — Students at Pajaro Middle score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 8.0%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 18.4%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
7%
ELA
24%
2024
Math
8.3%
ELA
16.5%

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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in CA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pajaro Valley Unified
District Enrollment
17,013
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,409
District Rank
#12 of 33

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 methodology

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