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 2025 school year, there are 8 public high schools serving 5,513 students in Pajaro Valley Unified School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Pajaro Valley Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Pajaro Valley Unified School District have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is equal to the California average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Aptos High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
34 Schools
2,817 Schools
# Students
16,921 Students
2,139,525 Students
# Teachers
801 Teachers
100,737 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Pajaro Valley Unified School District, which is ranked #1513 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 88% has increased from 86% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1517 out of 1941 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
17%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
17%
29%
Graduation Rate
88%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.28
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
11%
% Hispanic
84%
56%
% Black
n/a
5%
% White
13%
22%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,165 is higher than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,756 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$341 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$317 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,165
$19,974
Spending / Student
$18,756
$18,396
Best Pajaro Valley Unified School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Aptos High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 Mariner Way
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7832
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7832
Grades: 9-12
| 1,316 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Diamond Technology Institute
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
112 Diamond Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6225
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6225
Grades: 9-12
| 83 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
New School Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
165 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Grades: 9-12
| 40 students
Rank: #44.
Pvusd Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Grades: K-12
| 74 students
Rank: #55.
Pajaro Valley High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Grades: 9-12
| 1,428 students
Rank: #66.
Pacific Coast Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
294 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2180
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2180
Grades: K-12
| 197 students
Rank: #77.
Watsonville High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Grades: 9-12
| 2,253 students
Rank: #88.
Renaissance High Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
11 Spring Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Grades: 9-12
| 122 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
