Below Average
#7448 of 9,539 schools in CA
Starlight Elementary
Elementary School · Pajaro Valley Unified
225 Hammer Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,448 of 9,539
In Watsonville
#13 of 27
public schools
In district
#17 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
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Starlight Elementary
Elementary School in Watsonville · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Diamond Technology Institute
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cesar E. Chavez Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Starlight Elementary
Starlight Elementary is a public elementary school in Watsonville, CA, part of Pajaro Valley Unified. Starlight Elementary serves approximately 414 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Starlight Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #7,448 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Starlight Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Starlight Elementary runs 20.7:1 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.
44% of students at Starlight Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Starlight Elementary — Students at Starlight Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
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 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.
How Starlight Elementary Compares
See how Starlight Elementary 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
225 Hammer Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Starlight Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Watsonville Prep (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Hollister), which scores notably higher. Another option is GREEN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MORELAND NOTRE DAME SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 8.9 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville | 0.2 mi | 4.6 |
| H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| New School Community Day Watsonville | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Landmark Elementary Watsonville | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| GREEN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Freedom Elementary Freedom | 0.8 mi | 3.6 |
| MORELAND NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Moreland Notre Dame Watsonville | 0.8 mi | — |
| Rolling Hills Middle Watsonville | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Radcliff Elementary Watsonville | 0.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter Freedom | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Watsonville Prep Hollister | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Pacific Coast Charter Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Mintie White Elementary Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville | 1.1 mi | 3.7 |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 1.2 mi | — |
| Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Watsonville | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Pajaro Valley High Watsonville | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 4.9 |
| Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt, CA | 4.9 |
| Alturas Elementary Alturas, CA | 4.9 |
| Anatola Avenue Elementary Lake Balboa, CA | 4.9 |
| Anderson Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 4.9 |
| Andrew Jackson Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 4.9 |
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 ranks #7,448 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Starlight Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Starlight Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Starlight Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Starlight Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.4%
- Phone
- (831) 728-6974
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #17 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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