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Best Public Schools in Watsonville, CA (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Watsonville Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 30 public schools serving 13,700 students in Watsonville, CA (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,967 private students). 89% 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 (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Diamond Technology Institute
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
112 Diamond Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6225
Gr: 9-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
260 West Riverside Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Gr: 6-12 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #44.
New School Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
165 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Gr: 9-12 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
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.
Pajaro Valley High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Gr: 9-12 | 1,293 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1212.
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: #1313.
Watsonville High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Gr: 9-12 | 2,215 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
Renaissance High Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
11 Spring Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Gr: 9-12 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
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: #2727.
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: #2828.
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%
Rank: n/an/a
Duncan Holbert
140 Herman Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6066
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter
Charter School
229 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 466-5697
Gr: 12 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 79%

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?
89% 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?

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