Watsonville High School is a high school located in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, California, and is part of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. The school mascot is Willy the Wildcat. The school colors are black and gold.
Serving 2,253 students in grades 9-12, Watsonville High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 9% (which is lower than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 31% (which is lower than the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 23:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,253 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 23:1
- Minority Enrollment: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 89% (Top 50% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 9% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 31% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 15% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Watsonville High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Watsonville High School's student population of 2,253 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 97 teachers has grown by 21% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
2,253 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
97 teachers
Year Founded
1892
School Rankings
Watsonville High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Watsonville High School is 0.08, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#8206 out of 9523 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
9%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
23:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
12%
Hispanic
96%
56%
Black
n/a
5%
White
3%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
89%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
80%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
13%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Willy The Wildcat
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Watsonville High School's ranking?
Watsonville High School is ranked #8206 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
What schools are Watsonville High School often compared to?
Watsonville High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Pajaro Valley High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
9% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 31% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Watsonville High School?
The graduation rate of Watsonville High School is 89%, which is higher than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend Watsonville High School?
2,253 students attend Watsonville High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
96% of Watsonville High School students are Hispanic, 3% of students are White, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Watsonville High School?
Watsonville High School has a student ration of 23:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Watsonville High School offer ?
Watsonville High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Watsonville High School part of?
Watsonville High School is part of Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
School Reviews
Review Watsonville High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
