Elementary Schools in Watsonville, California: 16 schools. Average score 15.1 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.
Watsonville, California has 16 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 29.7/100 — 15.1 points below the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Alianza Charter at 41/100, where 12.7% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Watsonville schools average 5.8% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 24.5% (above the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Schools | Avg Score | Exceeded | vs State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 16 | Needs Support 29.7/100 | 5.8% | -15.1 |
| High | 4 | Developing 39.8/100 | 6.9% | -4.0 |
| Middle | 6 | Needs Support 27.2/100 | 3.2% | -15.5 |
How Watsonville schools compare
Watsonville has 16 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 29.7/100 — 15.1 points below the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is Alianza Charter with a Scope Score of 41 and 12.7% of students exceeding standard.
Chronic absenteeism in Watsonville averages 24.5% — above the state average of 17.9%.
How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page
School archetypes in Watsonville
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Every school in Watsonville
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pajaro Valley High Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 5.8% | Developing 46/100 |
| 2 | Watsonville High Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 8.6% | Developing 45/100 |
| 3 | Alianza Charter Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 12.7% | Developing 41/100 |
| 4 | Diamond Technology Institute Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 13.3% | Developing 41/100 |
| 5 | Linscott Charter Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 11.2% | Developing 40/100 |
| 6 | Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Pajaro Valley Unified Culture First | 9.3% | Developing 40/100 |
| 7 | Watsonville Prep SBE - Watsonville Prep Building Momentum | 12.6% | Developing 33/100 |
| 8 | Bradley Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 14.3% | Developing 33/100 |
| 9 | Rolling Hills Middle Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 2.2% | Developing 32/100 |
| 10 | Watsonville Charter School of the Arts Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 5.2% | Developing 32/100 |
| 11 | Landmark Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 2.6% | Developing 31/100 |
| 12 | Ohlone Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 4.3% | Developing 30/100 |
| 13 | Calabasas Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 3.5% | Needs Support 29/100 |
| 14 | H. A. Hyde Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 4.4% | Needs Support 29/100 |
| 15 | New School Community Day Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 0.0% | Needs Support 27/100 |
| 16 | Hall District Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 2.6% | Needs Support 27/100 |
| 17 | Ann Soldo Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 3.5% | Needs Support 27/100 |
| 18 | Amesti Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 2.5% | Needs Support 26/100 |
| 19 | Radcliff Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 2.1% | Needs Support 26/100 |
| 20 | T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 1.9% | Needs Support 25/100 |
| 21 | Pajaro Middle Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 2.9% | Needs Support 25/100 |
| 22 | Starlight Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 7.8% | Needs Support 25/100 |
| 23 | E. A. Hall Middle Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 1.0% | Needs Support 23/100 |
| 24 | Lakeview Middle Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 2.0% | Needs Support 22/100 |
| 25 | Mintie White Elementary Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 2.2% | Needs Support 22/100 |
| 26 | Cesar E. Chavez Middle Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum | 1.6% | Needs Support 21/100 |
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.
Private Schools in Watsonville
Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.
Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology
Frequently asked questions
Are the schools in Watsonville good?
What is the best elementary school in Watsonville?
How do Watsonville schools compare to the state average?
How many schools are in Watsonville?
What does the Scope Score measure?
Related
Plus 150 licensed preschools. Browse preschools in Watsonville →