Average
#4677 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 49% in state
Starlight Elementary
Elementary School · Pajaro Valley Unified
225 Hammer Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watsonville
#5 of 27
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,882 of 5,817
In district
#8 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Starlight Elementary
Starlight Elementary is a public elementary school nestled in the heart of Watsonville, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Starlight has an enrollment of 414 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 places it in the 21st percentile among California schools, reflecting areas for academic growth particularly in ELA/Reading and Math, where only 20% and 23% of students respectively are proficient or above.
Despite these challenges, Starlight Elementary remains a foundational part of Watsonville’s educational landscape. The school focuses on nurturing young learners through supportive teaching and community engagement, providing a strong base for its students to build upon as they progress in their education. Located in the heart of a small city known for its vibrant agricultural roots and cultural diversity, Starlight Elementary is an integral part of Watsonville's tight-knit community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Starlight Elementary is 20.7:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Starlight Elementary — Students at Starlight Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 6.8/10.
How Starlight Elementary Compares
See how Starlight Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 21.63% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 21% (2019) to 20.1% (2024).
Location
225 Hammer Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Starlight Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. H. A. Hyde Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Watsonville Prep (rated 6.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Hollister), with a comparable rating. Additionally, GREEN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Watsonville, see our Watsonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Technology Institute Watsonville | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| New School Community Day Watsonville | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Landmark Elementary Watsonville | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| GREEN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Freedom Elementary Freedom | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| MORELAND NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Moreland Notre Dame Watsonville | 0.8 mi | — |
| Rolling Hills Middle Watsonville | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Radcliff Elementary Watsonville | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter Freedom | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Watsonville Prep Hollister | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Pacific Coast Charter Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Mintie White Elementary Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 1.2 mi | — |
| Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Watsonville | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Pajaro Valley High Watsonville | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
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 Starlight Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach, CA | 6.4 |
| Academia Moderna Walnut Park, CA | 6.4 |
| Allen Avenue Elementary San Dimas, CA | 6.4 |
| Alta Elementary Reedley, CA | 6.4 |
| Anderson Elementary Compton, CA | 6.4 |
| Argonne Elementary San Francisco, CA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Starlight Elementary
What grades does Starlight Elementary serve?
Starlight Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Starlight Elementary?
Starlight Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 414 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Starlight Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Starlight Elementary is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Starlight Elementary rank in CA?
Starlight Elementary is ranked #4677 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Starlight Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Starlight Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Starlight Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Starlight Elementary has 23.4% math proficiency and 20.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Starlight Elementary a charter school?
No, Starlight Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Starlight Elementary a Title I school?
No, Starlight Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Starlight Elementary?
93.5% of students at Starlight Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (1,589/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watsonville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 414
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 728-6974
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #8 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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