For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 4,871 students in Watsonville, CA.
The top ranked public high schools in Watsonville, CA are Diamond Technology Institute, New School Community Day 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 high schools have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Watsonville have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public high schools.
Watsonville, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 79%, which is less than the California average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Ceiba College Preparatory Academy, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Watsonville, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 83 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
New School Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
165 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Grades: 9-12
| 40 students
Rank: #33.
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
260 West Riverside Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Grades: 6-12
| 507 students
Rank: #44.
Pvusd Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Grades: K-12
| 74 students
Rank: #55.
Pajaro Valley High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Grades: 9-12
| 1,428 students
Rank: #66.
Pacific Coast Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | 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
Grades: K-12
| 197 students
Rank: #77.
Watsonville High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Grades: 9-12
| 2,253 students
Rank: #88.
Renaissance High Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
11 Spring Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Grades: 9-12
| 122 students
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
Grades: 12
| 167 students
Watsonville, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1815 Salinas Rd./hwy. 1
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 633-5881
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 633-5881
Grades: 6-8
| 541 students
Rising Star Elementary School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
Po Box 50010
Watsonville, CA 95077
(831) 728-8104
Watsonville, CA 95077
(831) 728-8104
Grades: 1-6
| 4 students
115 Casserly Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6380
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6380
Grades: K-5
| 486 students
Solano Summit Academy (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
15 Madison St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-9725
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-9725
Grades: 6-8
| 25 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Watsonville, CA?
The top ranked public high schools in Watsonville, CA include Diamond Technology Institute, New School Community Day and Ceiba College Preparatory Academy.
How many public high schools are located in Watsonville?
9 public high schools are located in Watsonville.
What is the racial composition of students in Watsonville?
Watsonville public high schools minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Watsonville are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Watsonville include: Watsonville High School vs. Pajaro Valley High School, Pajaro Valley High School vs. Watsonville High School, Ceiba College Preparatory Academy vs. Diamond Technology Institute
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.