For the 2025 school year, there are 30 public schools serving 13,986 students in Watsonville, CA (there are 8 private schools, serving 2,011 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Watsonville, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Watsonville, CA are Diamond Technology Institute, Linscott Charter and Ceiba College Preparatory Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Watsonville, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 13% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 22% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Watsonville have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Watsonville, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #22.
Linscott Charter
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
220 Elm St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6301
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6301
Gr: K-8 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #33.
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
260 West Riverside Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Gr: 6-12 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #44.
New School Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
165 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Gr: 9-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Alianza Charter
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
115 Casserly Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6333
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6333
Gr: K-8 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
Pvusd Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Gr: K-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #77.
Bradley Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
321 Corralitos Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6366
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6366
Gr: K-6 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #88.
Watsonville Charter School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
115 Casserly Rd. West Campus
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8123
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8123
Gr: K-8 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #99.
Pacific Coast Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | 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
Gr: K-12 | 197 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1010.
Starlight Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
225 Hammer Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6974
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6974
Gr: K-5 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1111.
Pajaro Valley High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
500 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Gr: 9-12 | 1,428 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1212.
Ohlone Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
21 Bay Farms Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6977
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6977
Gr: K-6 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Watsonville High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Gr: 9-12 | 2,253 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1414.
Landmark Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
235 Ohlone Pkwy.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7940
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7940
Gr: K-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1515.
Pajaro Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
250 Salinas Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6238
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6238
Gr: 7-8 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #1616.
Ann Soldo Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1140 Menasco Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-1310
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-1310
Gr: K-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1717.
Calabasas Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
202 Calabasas Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6368
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6368
Gr: K-6 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1818.
H. A. Hyde Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
125 Alta Vista St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6243
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6243
Gr: K-5 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1919.
Lakeview Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2350 East Lake Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6455
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6455
Gr: 6-8 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2020.
Cesar E. Chavez Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
440 Arthur Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7699
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7699
Gr: 6-8 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2121.
Hall District Elementary School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
300 Sill Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6371
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6371
Gr: K-6 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2222.
Mintie White Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
515 Palm Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6321
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6321
Gr: K-5 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2323.
Renaissance High Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
11 Spring Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Gr: 9-12 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2424.
Rolling Hills Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
130 Herman Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6341
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6341
Gr: 6-8 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2525.
T. S. Macquiddy Elementary School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
330 Martinelli St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6315
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6315
Gr: K-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2626.
Radcliff Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
550 Rodriguez St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6469
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6469
Gr: K-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2727.
Amesti Elementary School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
25 Amesti Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6250
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6250
Gr: K-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2828.
E. A. Hall Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Brewington Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6270
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6270
Gr: 6-8 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter
Charter School
229 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 466-5697
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 466-5697
Gr: 12 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Watsonville, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1815 Salinas Rd./hwy. 1
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 633-5881
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 633-5881
Gr: 6-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rising Star Elementary School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
Po Box 50010
Watsonville, CA 95077
(831) 728-8104
Watsonville, CA 95077
(831) 728-8104
Gr: 1-6 | 4 students Minority enrollment: 75%
115 Casserly Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6380
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6380
Gr: K-5 | 486 students Minority enrollment: 90%
Solano Summit Academy (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
15 Madison St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-9725
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-9725
Gr: 6-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Watsonville, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Watsonville, CA include Diamond Technology Institute, Linscott Charter and Ceiba College Preparatory Academy.
How many public schools are located in Watsonville?
30 public schools are located in Watsonville.
What percentage of students in Watsonville go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Watsonville are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Watsonville?
Watsonville public schools minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Watsonville are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Watsonville include: Watsonville High School vs. Pajaro Valley High School, Pajaro Valley High School vs. Watsonville High School, Starlight Elementary School vs. Landmark Elementary School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
