Average
#5316 of 9,539 schools in CA
Pajaro Valley High
High School · Pajaro Valley Unified
500 Harkins Slough Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076
Enrollment
1,428
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,428
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,316 of 9,539
In Watsonville
#7 of 27
public schools
In district
#9 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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Pajaro Valley High
High School in Watsonville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rolling Hills Middle
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New School Community Day
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pajaro Valley High
Pajaro Valley High is a public high school in Watsonville, CA, part of Pajaro Valley Unified. Pajaro Valley High serves approximately 1,428 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22:1 student-teacher ratio. Pajaro Valley High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #5,316 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Pajaro Valley High show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- District avg 6.6
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Pajaro Valley High runs 22:1 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.
Pajaro Valley High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
35% of students at Pajaro Valley High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Pajaro Valley High — Students at Pajaro Valley High score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 26 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: 7.8/10.
How Pajaro Valley High Compares
See how Pajaro Valley High 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
500 Harkins Slough Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pajaro Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Diamond Technology Institute (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is New School Community Day (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ceiba College Preparatory Academy (rated 6.1/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Watsonville, see our Watsonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Hills Middle Watsonville | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| New School Community Day Watsonville | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Landmark Elementary Watsonville | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Freedom Elementary Freedom | 1.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Starlight Elementary Watsonville | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Diamond Technology Institute Watsonville | 1.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| GREEN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Calabasas Elementary Watsonville | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Radcliff Elementary Watsonville | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter Freedom | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| MORELAND NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Watsonville | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Moreland Notre Dame Watsonville | 1.8 mi | — |
| Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Watsonville | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Pacific Coast Charter Watsonville | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Watsonville Prep Hollister | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Monterey Bay Academy La Selva Beach | 2.1 mi | — |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 2.1 mi | — |
| Mintie White Elementary Watsonville | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Adolfo Camarillo High Camarillo, CA | 6.1 |
| Buena Park High Buena Park, CA | 6.1 |
| Cabrillo High Long Beach, CA | 6.1 |
| Dr. Maya Angelou Community High Los Angeles, CA | 6.1 |
| El Capitan High Merced, CA | 6.1 |
| Elk Grove High Elk Grove, CA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pajaro Valley High
What grades does Pajaro Valley High serve?
Pajaro Valley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Pajaro Valley High?
Pajaro Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 1,428 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pajaro Valley High?
The student-teacher ratio at Pajaro Valley High is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pajaro Valley High rank in CA?
Pajaro Valley High ranks #5,316 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Pajaro Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?
Pajaro Valley High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Valley High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pajaro Valley High has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Pajaro Valley High a charter school?
No, Pajaro Valley High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pajaro Valley High a Title I school?
No, Pajaro Valley High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pajaro Valley High?
78.9% of students at Pajaro Valley High 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,428
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.1%
- Phone
- (831) 728-8102
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #9 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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