Pajaro Valley Unified School District

294 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076-1300
(District boundaries shown in map)
2/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Pajaro Valley Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 16,482 students in Pajaro Valley Unified School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Pajaro Valley Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
34 Schools
10,347 Schools
# Students
16,482 Students
5,790,405 Students
# Teachers
779 Teachers
267,593 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Pajaro Valley Unified School District, which is ranked #1567 of all 1,904 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 89% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#1561 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
17%
34%
27%
47%
17%
29%
89%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.28
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
12%
% Hispanic
84%
56%
% Black
n/a
5%
% White
13%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $20,702 is higher than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has grown by 31% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,256 is higher than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$341 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$317 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,702
$20,100
Spending / Student
$19,256
$18,511

Best Pajaro Valley Unified School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Valencia Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
250 Aptos School Rd.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7836
Gr: K-6 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
Rio Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
819 Pinehurst Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-2053
Gr: K-6 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #33.
Diamond Technology Institute
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
112 Diamond Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6225
Gr: 9-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #44.
Aptos High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
100 Mariner Way
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7832
Gr: 9-12 | 1,274 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #55.
Linscott Charter
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
220 Elm St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6301
Gr: K-8 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #66.
Aptos Junior High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1001 Huntington Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-3234
Gr: 7-8 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #77.
Mar Vista Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6860 Soquel Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-5211
Gr: K-6 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #88.
New School Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
165 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Gr: 9-12 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #99.
Alianza Charter
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
115 Casserly Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6333
Gr: K-8 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1010.
Pvusd Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Gr: K-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1111.
Bradley Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
321 Corralitos Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6366
Gr: K-6 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1212.
Watsonville Charter School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
115 Casserly Rd. West Campus
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8123
Gr: K-8 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1313.
Pacific Coast Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
294 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2180
Gr: K-12 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1414.
Starlight Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
225 Hammer Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6974
Gr: K-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1515.
Pajaro Valley High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Gr: 9-12 | 1,293 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1616.
Ohlone Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
21 Bay Farms Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6977
Gr: K-6 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
Watsonville High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Gr: 9-12 | 2,215 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1818.
Freedom Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
25 Holly Dr.
Freedom, CA 95019
(831) 728-6260
Gr: K-5 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1919.
Landmark Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
235 Ohlone Pkwy.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7940
Gr: K-5 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2020.
Pajaro Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
250 Salinas Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6238
Gr: 6-8 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2121.
Ann Soldo Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1140 Menasco Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-1310
Gr: K-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2222.
Calabasas Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
202 Calabasas Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6368
Gr: K-6 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2323.
H. A. Hyde Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
125 Alta Vista St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6243
Gr: K-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2424.
Lakeview Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2350 East Lake Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6455
Gr: 6-8 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2525.
Cesar E. Chavez Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
440 Arthur Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7699
Gr: 6-8 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2626.
Hall District Elementary School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Sill Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6371
Gr: K-6 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2727.
Mintie White Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
515 Palm Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6321
Gr: K-5 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2828.
Renaissance High Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
11 Spring Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Gr: 9-12 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2929.
Rolling Hills Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
130 Herman Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6341
Gr: 6-8 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3030.
T. S. Macquiddy Elementary School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
330 Martinelli St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6315
Gr: K-5 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3131.
Radcliff Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
550 Rodriguez St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6469
Gr: K-5 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3232.
Amesti Elementary School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
25 Amesti Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6250
Gr: K-5 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3333.
E. A. Hall Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Brewington Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6270
Gr: 6-8 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Duncan Holbert
140 Herman Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6066

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Pajaro Valley Unified School District?
Pajaro Valley Unified School District manages 34 public schools serving 16,482 students.
What is the rank of Pajaro Valley Unified School District?
Pajaro Valley Unified School District is ranked #1567 out of 1,904 school districts in California (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Pajaro Valley Unified School District?
84% of Pajaro Valley Unified School District students are Hispanic, 13% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Pajaro Valley Unified School District?
Pajaro Valley Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 21:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.
What is Pajaro Valley Unified School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $19,256 is higher than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 11% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 34 schools
  • Grades: K-12
  • Enrollment: 16,482 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 87%
  • : 89% (Top 30% in CA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 17% (Btm 50%)
  • : 27% (Btm 50%)
  • : 17% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

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