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Gilroy Unified

Near Average2024–25 data14 schools · avg 43.4/100

Gilroy Unified has 14 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 43.4/100 — 0.3 points near the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy at 96/100, where 66.7% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $12,571 per student (below the state average of $14,815). 2 schools show positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 23.6%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
43.4
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
72.5
23.6 – 96.1
Avg Exceeded %
18.0%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
23.6%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
14
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
Elementary39.4715.7%20.4%
Middle35.0315.1%21.0%
High56.8424.1%31.3%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Gilroy Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
39.4
avg score · 7 schools
Middle
35.0
avg score · 3 schools
High
56.8
avg score · 4 schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: Gilroy Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 56.8.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages +3.9pp (state avg: -3.0pp), suggesting schools are adding meaningful value.

Consistency: Score range of 72.5 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 23.6%, 5.5pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 4.1%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy leads the district at 96 with 66.7% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Gilroy Unified

5 On the Rise2 Growth Engine1 High Ceiling1 Culture First5 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 7 schools in Gilroy Unified are classified as On the Rise (5) or Growth Engine (2) — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Student demographics

Hispanic
71.8%
White
10.9%
Asian
4.8%
Black
1.1%
Other
11.4%
Free/Reduced Lunch
57%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Gilroy Unified spends $12,571 per student in current expenditures — $2,243 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$12,571
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
10,821
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 18.9%
$10,573 → $12,571
Spending Efficiency
3.46
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 60%Support 37%Other 3%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$69,898–$130,809
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
474
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (7)

Gilroy Unified has 7 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 39.4 — 4.3 points below the state average of 43.8.

District-wide growth averages +3.9pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Las Animas Elementary with a Scope Score of 51 and 26.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+GrowthAbsentSusp.
1Las Animas Elementary
Gilroy Unified Building Momentum
5126.7%53.2%-7.7pp16.3%1.3%
2Luigi Aprea Elementary
Gilroy Unified Growth Engine
4923.9%50.4%+6.4pp20.2%0.4%
3Rucker Elementary
Gilroy Unified Growth Engine
4616.4%34.7%+19.4pp20.9%0.5%
4Rod Kelley Elementary
Gilroy Unified Culture First
4117.6%43.7%-3.2pp14.3%0.4%
5El Roble Elementary
Gilroy Unified Building Momentum
3112.0%28.1%-7.6pp24.1%1.4%
6Eliot Elementary
Gilroy Unified On the Rise
296.0%20.3%+14.3pp23.5%2.2%
7Glen View Elementary
Gilroy Unified On the Rise
297.1%20.5%+5.9pp23.4%2.5%

Middle Schools (3)

Gilroy Unified has 3 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 35.0 — 5.4 points below the state average of 40.5.

District-wide growth averages +3.6pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring middle school is Solorsano Middle with a Scope Score of 40 and 17.9% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+GrowthAbsentSusp.
1Solorsano Middle
Gilroy Unified On the Rise
4017.9%37.7%+3.2pp19.8%8.0%
2Brownell Middle
Gilroy Unified On the Rise
3617.4%36.2%+3.0pp20.7%10.3%
3South Valley Middle
Gilroy Unified On the Rise
299.9%28.4%+4.5pp22.4%12.9%

High Schools (4)

Gilroy Unified has 4 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 56.8 — 9.3 points above the state average of 47.5. 1 of 4 high schools have Scope Scores above 90.

The highest-scoring high school is Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy with a Scope Score of 96 and 66.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy
Gilroy Unified High Ceiling
9666.7%92.4%8.6%0.7%
2Christopher High
Gilroy Unified Building Momentum
5820.5%43.2%19.6%3.5%
3Gilroy High
Gilroy Unified Building Momentum
508.4%23.8%26.1%5.9%
4Mt. Madonna High
Gilroy Unified Building Momentum
240.8%6.7%71.0%7.2%

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Gilroy Unified

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How resources are distributed across schools within the district

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Is Gilroy Unified a good school district?
Gilroy Unified has 14 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 43.4/100, which is 0.3 points near the California state average of 43.8. 18.0% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Gilroy Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Gilroy Unified is Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy with a Scope Score of 96/100 and 66.7% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Gilroy Unified spend per student?
Gilroy Unified spends $12,571 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Gilroy Unified?
Teacher salaries in Gilroy Unified range from $69,898–$130,809 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.