At a glance
Reported students
1,293
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
59.82
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
21.6:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
California high enrollment
71st percentile
Compared with 2,195 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
438
Pajaro Valley High: 1,293 reported students.
State peer staffing position
69th percentile
21.6:1 reported; state peer median 19.2:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 1,559
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Student–teacher ratio
- 35.4:1
What the reported data says about Pajaro Valley High
Pajaro Valley High is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Watsonville. It is one of 32 current school records connected to Pajaro Valley Unified. NCES reports 1,293 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,195 high schools in California with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 416 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 71st percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 21.6:1, above the California median of 19.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (96.9%) and White (1.8%). Students served under IDEA represent 17.4%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, gifted and talented programming. The school reported 7 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Pajaro Valley High
- 1How do the reported 21.6:1 student–teacher ratio and 59.82 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 3 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- Students with disabilities
- 17.4%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 84.3%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 3
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White1.8%
- Hispanic96.9%
- Black0.2%
- Asian0.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial0.3%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
Students enrolled
7 distinct courses reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Pajaro Valley Unified
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Aptos High
High · Grades 09–12
1,274 reported students
Watsonville High
High · Grades 09–12
2,215 reported students
Renaissance High Continuation
High · Grades 09–12
112 reported students
Diamond Technology Institute
High · Grades 09–12
87 reported students
New School Community Day
High · Grades 09–12
42 reported students
Alianza Charter
Elementary · Grades KG–08
626 reported students
Public schools near Pajaro Valley High
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| New School Community Day High · Pajaro Valley Unified | 09–12 | 42 | 0.8 mi |
| Diamond Technology Institute High · Charter · Pajaro Valley Unified | 09–12 | 87 | 1.2 mi |
| Ceiba College Preparatory Academy High · Charter · Ceiba College Preparatory Academy District | 06–12 | 501 | 1.9 mi |
| Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter High · Charter · Santa Cruz County Office of Education | 12–12 | 207 | 2 mi |
| Watsonville High High · Pajaro Valley Unified | 09–12 | 2,215 | 2.2 mi |
| Renaissance High Continuation High · Pajaro Valley Unified | 09–12 | 112 | 3.1 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Pajaro Valley High
What grades does Pajaro Valley High serve?
Pajaro Valley High reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Pajaro Valley Unified.
How many students attend Pajaro Valley High?
Pajaro Valley High reported 1,293 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 71st percentile among 2,195 California high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 1,559 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Pajaro Valley High?
The calculated ratio is 21.6:1, based on 1,293 students and 59.82 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The California median for the same school level is 19.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Pajaro Valley High a public, charter, or magnet school?
Pajaro Valley High is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Pajaro Valley Unified attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Pajaro Valley High students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
84.3% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Pajaro Valley High in?
Pajaro Valley High is part of Pajaro Valley Unified, based in Watsonville, CA, which operates 32 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Pajaro Valley High?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include New School Community Day (0.8 mi), Diamond Technology Institute (1.2 mi), Ceiba College Preparatory Academy (1.9 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.