Below Average
#8361 of 9,533 schools in CA
Watsonville High
High School · Pajaro Valley Unified
250 East Beach St., Watsonville, CA 95076
Enrollment
2,253
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,253
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watsonville
#21 of 27
public schools
California high schools
#1,760 of 1,892
In district
#26 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
About Watsonville High
Watsonville High serves 2,253 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Watsonville, California. With 96 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.5:1, providing a substantial learning community for teenagers in Santa Cruz County. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in student achievement.
Currently, 34% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts, while mathematics presents a particular area of focus with 9% of students meeting proficiency standards. These results place Watsonville High in the 16th percentile among California high schools, ranking #7986 out of 9566 schools statewide. Located on East Beach Street, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $86,062 and median home values reach $702,700.
The surrounding ZIP code is home to over 83,000 residents, with 19% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.8%. As a regular public high school, Watsonville High plays a central role in educating the youth of this small city environment, working to support students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds as they prepare for their post-secondary futures.
What's said publicly about Watsonville High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (2)
What Parents Should Know
Watsonville High is a large school with 2,253 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Watsonville High is 23.5:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Watsonville High — Students at Watsonville High 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
92.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 3.8/10.
How Watsonville High Compares
See how Watsonville High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 8.87% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 34.02% (2024).
Location
250 East Beach St., Watsonville, CA 95076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watsonville High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Diamond Technology Institute (rated 8.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ceiba College Preparatory Academy (rated 5.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, New School Community Day (rated 4.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Watsonville, see our Watsonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PVUSD Virtual Academy Watsonville | 0.0 mi | 6.5 |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.2 mi | — |
| Linscott Charter Watsonville | 0.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Watsonville Prep Hollister | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Mintie White Elementary Watsonville | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Moreland Notre Dame Watsonville | 0.4 mi | — |
| MORELAND NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Watsonville | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Radcliff Elementary Watsonville | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Watsonville | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Pajaro Middle Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Starlight Elementary Watsonville | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Landmark Elementary Watsonville | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Diamond Technology Institute Watsonville | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| New School Community Day Watsonville | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Lakeview Middle Watsonville | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watsonville High 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 |
|---|---|
| CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Diego, CA | 4.5 |
| Fairfield High Fairfield, CA | 4.5 |
| Justin Garza High Fresno, CA | 4.5 |
| Lincoln High Stockton, CA | 4.5 |
| Mira Monte High Bakersfield, CA | 4.5 |
| San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City, CA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watsonville High
What grades does Watsonville High serve?
Watsonville High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Watsonville High?
Watsonville High has an enrollment of approximately 2,253 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watsonville High?
The student-teacher ratio at Watsonville High is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watsonville High rank in CA?
Watsonville High is ranked #8361 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Watsonville High's MySchoolScout rating?
Watsonville High has a composite rating of 4.5 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watsonville High has 11.6% math proficiency and 38.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watsonville High a charter school?
No, Watsonville High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watsonville High a Title I school?
No, Watsonville High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watsonville High?
92.7% of students at Watsonville 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 91 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 44 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 86 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,589/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watsonville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,253
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 96
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 728-6390
- 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
- #26 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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