Average
#5590 of 9,533 schools in CA
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts
Elementary School · Pajaro Valley Unified
115 Casserly Rd. West Campus, Watsonville, CA 95076
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watsonville
#8 of 27
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,371 of 5,817
In district
#11 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Watsonville Charter School of the Arts
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts is a charter school nestled in a rural area near Watsonville, California. The school serves kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 408 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1, supported by 19 full-time equivalent teachers. As a regular public school, it offers a unique arts-focused curriculum designed to engage young learners creatively.
The academic performance data indicates room for improvement; Watsonville Charter School of the Arts ranks at #6544 out of 9566 schools in California and has an ELA proficiency rate of 31% and a math proficiency rate of 23%. These scores suggest that while the school is committed to student development, there are areas where academic performance could be enhanced. Watsonville Charter School of the Arts is part of Santa Cruz County’s educational landscape, providing a distinctive arts education in a rural setting near Watsonville.
The school aims to blend creativity and learning, fostering an environment where students can grow both artistically and academically.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Watsonville Charter School of the Arts are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Watsonville Charter School of the Arts is 21.5:1, 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.
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Watsonville Charter School of the Arts — Students at Watsonville Charter School of the Arts score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 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: 6.4/10.
How Watsonville Charter School of the Arts Compares
See how Watsonville Charter School of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 22.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 30.71% (2024).
Location
115 Casserly Rd. West Campus, Watsonville, CA 95076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watsonville Charter School of the Arts may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Linscott Charter (rated 7.7/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is H. A. Hyde Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Amesti Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Watsonville, see our Watsonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Alianza Charter Watsonville | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| St. Francis High School Salesian College Preparatory, Inc. Watsonville | 1.4 mi | — |
| ST FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL SALESIAN COLLEGE PREP Watsonville | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Lakeview Middle Watsonville | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Watsonville | 2.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Amesti Elementary Watsonville | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| MONTE VISTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Pacific Coast Charter Watsonville | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter Freedom | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville | 3.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Mintie White Elementary Watsonville | 3.0 mi | 4.6 |
| H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| GREEN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 3.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Watsonville High Watsonville | 3.4 mi | 4.5 |
| PVUSD Virtual Academy Watsonville | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Moreland Notre Dame Watsonville | 3.4 mi | — |
| MORELAND NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Watsonville | 3.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Linscott Charter Watsonville | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville | 3.3 mi | 4.5 |
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 Watsonville Charter School of the Arts 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 6.0 |
| Aliso Elementary Carpinteria, CA | 6.0 |
| Almond Grove Elementary Oakley, CA | 6.0 |
| Ambassador School-Global Education Los Angeles, CA | 6.0 |
| Amesti Elementary Watsonville, CA | 6.0 |
| Arroyo West Elementary Moorpark, CA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watsonville Charter School of the Arts
What grades does Watsonville Charter School of the Arts serve?
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Watsonville Charter School of the Arts?
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 408 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watsonville Charter School of the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Watsonville Charter School of the Arts is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watsonville Charter School of the Arts rank in CA?
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts is ranked #5590 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Watsonville Charter School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Watsonville Charter School of the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watsonville Charter School of the Arts has 23.2% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watsonville Charter School of the Arts a charter school?
Yes, Watsonville Charter School of the Arts is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Watsonville Charter School of the Arts a Title I school?
No, Watsonville Charter School of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watsonville Charter School of the Arts?
58.6% of students at Watsonville Charter School of the Arts 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 408
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 728-8123
- 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
- #11 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.
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