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Pajaro Valley Unified School District (2026) - Aptos, CA

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 26 public elementary schools serving 10,872 students in Pajaro Valley Unified School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in California.
Public Elementary Schools in Pajaro Valley Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
34 Schools
7,677 Schools
# Students
16,482 Students
3,817,118 Students
# Teachers
779 Teachers
173,969 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
0.64
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
12%
% Hispanic
84%
56%
% Black
n/a
5%
% White
13%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
7%
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 Elementary 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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
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%

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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

Quick Links