Average
#6288 of 9,533 schools in CA
Petaluma High
High School · Petaluma Joint Union High
201 Fair St., Petaluma, CA 94952
Enrollment
1,253
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,253
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Petaluma
#18 of 30
public schools
California high schools
#1,345 of 1,892
In district
#6 of 8
Petaluma Joint Union High
About Petaluma High
Petaluma High serves 1,253 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Petaluma, a charming small city in Sonoma County. With 57 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 22:1 student-teacher ratio as it works to support its diverse student body. Academically, Petaluma High ranks in the 56th percentile statewide, placing #4199 out of 9566 California high schools with a 6.0 MySchoolScout rating.
The school shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 56% of students perform at proficient levels or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 28% of students achieving proficiency. These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement.
The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $110,739 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of 6.1% and median home values of $959,400, the surrounding ZIP code of 94952 represents a well-educated, economically stable area of over 33,000 residents. Located at 201 Fair Street, Petaluma High sits in the heart of this historic North Bay community, known for its small-town charm and proximity to both San Francisco and California's renowned wine country.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Petaluma High is 22:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Petaluma High — Students at Petaluma High score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.
How Petaluma High Compares
See how Petaluma High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 28.25% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 55.84% (2024).
Location
201 Fair St., Petaluma, CA 94952
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Petaluma High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST VINCENT DE PAUL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is San Antonio High (Continuation) (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Valley Oaks High (Alternative) (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Petaluma, see our Petaluma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carpe Diem High (Continuation) Petaluma | 0.1 mi | — |
| South County Consortium Petaluma | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Petaluma | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| The Spring Hill School Petaluma | 0.5 mi | — |
| Valley Vista Elementary Petaluma | 0.5 mi | 4.2 |
| McNear Elementary Petaluma | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Petaluma Junior High Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL HIGH SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Saint Vincent de Paul College Preparatory Petaluma | 1.1 mi | — |
| Grant Elementary Petaluma | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| San Antonio High (Continuation) Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Valley Oaks High (Alternative) Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Live Oak Charter Petaluma | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| McKinley Elementary Petaluma | 1.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Petaluma Accelerated Charter Petaluma | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| THE SPRING HILL SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| McDowell Elementary Petaluma | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Loma Vista Immersion Academy Petaluma | 2.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Miwok Valley Elementary Charter Petaluma | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94952 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,097
Median Home Value
$1,016,800
Median Rent
$2,272/mo
Population
33,339
College Educated
47.5%
Homeownership
59.9%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
44.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Petaluma High has a median household income of $115,097. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,016,800, with a median rent of $2,272/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL San Francisco, CA | 5.7 |
| CREAN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Irvine, CA | 5.7 |
| Central East High Fresno, CA | 5.7 |
| Highlands High North Highlands, CA | 5.7 |
| Impact Academy of Arts & Technology Oakland, CA | 5.7 |
| Maywood Academy High Maywood, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Petaluma High
What grades does Petaluma High serve?
Petaluma High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Petaluma High?
Petaluma High has an enrollment of approximately 1,253 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Petaluma High?
The student-teacher ratio at Petaluma 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 Petaluma High rank in CA?
Petaluma High is ranked #6288 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Petaluma High's MySchoolScout rating?
Petaluma High has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Petaluma High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Petaluma High has 36.6% math proficiency and 65.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Petaluma High a charter school?
No, Petaluma High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Petaluma High a Title I school?
No, Petaluma High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Petaluma High?
41.0% of students at Petaluma 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 75 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 30 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 62 Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,469/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Petaluma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,253
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Sonoma County
- Phone
- (707) 778-4651
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Petaluma Joint Union High- District Enrollment
- 4,931
- Schools in District
- 10
- District Rank
- #6 of 8
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.
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