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#6868 of 9,533 schools in CA

Petaluma Junior High

Middle School · Petaluma Joint Union High

700 Bantam Way, Petaluma, CA 94952

Enrollment

428

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

5.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Petaluma

#21 of 30

public schools

California middle schools

#1,028 of 1,349

In district

#7 of 8

Petaluma Joint Union High

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Petaluma Junior High

Petaluma Junior High is a middle school located in the charming city of Petaluma, California. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, this regular public institution has an enrollment of 428 students with a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. The school's dedicated staff includes 22 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' educational journey.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Petaluma Junior High scores a 4.8 out of 10 overall and ranks as the 5734th out of 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 40th percentile statewide. In terms of academic performance, the school shows that 47% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, while 35% meet proficiency standards in Math. These figures indicate areas where Petaluma Junior High is focusing on student development and growth.

Petaluma Junior High sits within a small city setting known for its historic downtown area and vibrant community life. The school’s location offers students easy access to local amenities and cultural activities, enriching their overall educational experience.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.4%
Math vs. State Avg-1.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.9 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1

Petaluma Junior High — Students at Petaluma Junior High score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.1%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 47.4%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
40%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
54%
2024
Math
31.9%
ELA
42.4%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Petaluma Junior High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in CA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

700 Bantam Way, Petaluma, CA 94952

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Petaluma Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. THE SPRING HILL SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST VINCENT DE PAUL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Petaluma, see our Petaluma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
The Spring Hill School Petaluma 0.2 mi
Valley Vista Elementary Petaluma 0.3 mi 4.2
ST VINCENT DE PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Petaluma 0.6 mi 4.9
Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley Petaluma 0.8 mi 7.3
Petaluma High Petaluma 0.7 mi 5.7
Carpe Diem High (Continuation) Petaluma 0.8 mi
ST VINCENT DE PAUL HIGH SCHOOL Petaluma 0.9 mi 7.6
Saint Vincent de Paul College Preparatory Petaluma 0.9 mi
South County Consortium Petaluma 0.8 mi 6.9
McNear Elementary Petaluma 1.3 mi 6.9
Cinnabar Charter Petaluma 1.9 mi 4.1
Cinnabar Elementary Petaluma 1.9 mi
McKinley Elementary Petaluma 1.6 mi 3.0
Petaluma Accelerated Charter Petaluma 1.6 mi 5.9
Live Oak Charter Petaluma 1.6 mi 5.7
San Antonio High (Continuation) Petaluma 1.6 mi 6.5
Grant Elementary Petaluma 1.7 mi 6.7
Valley Oaks High (Alternative) Petaluma 1.6 mi 6.4
Wilson Elementary Petaluma 1.7 mi 4.2
THE SPRING HILL SCHOOL Petaluma 1.9 mi 8.6

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 Junior 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
Diamond View Middle Susanville, CA 5.4
Huron Middle Huron, CA 5.4
Jackson Street Elementary Yreka, CA 5.4
McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville, CA 5.4
Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz, CA 5.4
Winton Middle Hayward, CA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Petaluma Junior High

What grades does Petaluma Junior High serve?

Petaluma Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Petaluma Junior High?

Petaluma Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 428 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Petaluma Junior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Petaluma Junior High is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Petaluma Junior High rank in CA?

Petaluma Junior High is ranked #6868 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Petaluma Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Petaluma Junior High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Junior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Petaluma Junior High has 35.1% math proficiency and 47.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Petaluma Junior High a charter school?

No, Petaluma Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Petaluma Junior High a Title I school?

No, Petaluma Junior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Petaluma Junior High?

44.9% of students at Petaluma Junior 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,469/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Petaluma). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
428
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Sonoma County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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