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Average

#3977 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 42% in state

Petaluma High

High School · Petaluma Joint Union High

201 Fair St., Petaluma, CA 94952

Enrollment

1,253

Student-Teacher

22:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,977 of 9,539

In Petaluma

#15 of 30

public schools

In district

#4 of 8

Petaluma Joint Union High

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Petaluma High

6.8/10

High School in Petaluma · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Carpe Diem High (continuation)

Nearby

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

South County Consortium

7.4/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Petaluma High

Petaluma High is a public high school in Petaluma, CA, part of Petaluma Joint Union High. Petaluma High serves approximately 1,253 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22:1 student-teacher ratio. Petaluma High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,977 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Petaluma High show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Petaluma 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+0.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness7.4Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate93%
AP Participation25.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Chronic Absenteeism16.6%

Petaluma High — Students at Petaluma High score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 70.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
64%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
69%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
71%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
79%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
28.3%
ELA
55.8%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Petaluma High Compares

See how Petaluma High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in CA
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Sports
24
12 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
25.7% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics24sports offered
12 boys'·12 girls'·38 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 slightly higher. Another option is Valley Oaks High (Alternative) (rated 7.1/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, San Antonio High (Continuation) (rated 4.4/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 7.4
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 3.1
McNear Elementary Petaluma 0.6 mi 5.7
Petaluma Junior High Petaluma 0.7 mi 6.2
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 7.3
Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley Petaluma 1.2 mi 6.3
San Antonio High (Continuation) Petaluma 1.2 mi 4.4
Valley Oaks High (Alternative) Petaluma 1.2 mi 7.1
Live Oak Charter Petaluma 1.3 mi 6.4
McKinley Elementary Petaluma 1.4 mi 7.5
Petaluma Accelerated Charter Petaluma 1.4 mi 8.1
THE SPRING HILL SCHOOL Petaluma 1.2 mi 8.6
McDowell Elementary Petaluma 2.0 mi 5.3
Loma Vista Immersion Academy Petaluma 2.2 mi 7.5
Miwok Valley Elementary Charter Petaluma 2.0 mi 4.3

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Artesia High Lakewood, CA 6.8
Canoga Park Senior High Canoga Park, CA 6.8
Centennial High Compton, CA 6.8
Compton High Compton, CA 6.8
Edgewood High West Covina, CA 6.8
Hayward High Hayward, CA 6.8

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 ranks #3,977 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Petaluma High's MySchoolScout rating?

Petaluma High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Petaluma High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Petaluma High has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
75 Very Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.6%
4-Year Graduation
93.0%

How we rate schools

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