Petaluma High

Summary:

Petaluma High is a public high school serving 1,220 students in grades 9-12 in Petaluma, California. The school is part of the Petaluma Joint Union High School District, which is ranked 447 out of 1,568 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Petaluma High has consistently maintained a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past several years, ranking between 219 and 593 out of over 2,000 California high schools. The school's graduation rates have been high, ranging from 92.1% to 94.9% over the past five years, significantly higher than the state average and comparing favorably to other nearby schools in the district. Petaluma High's dropout rates have also been relatively low, ranging from 0.9% to 3.6% over the same period, lower than the state average and other district schools. However, the school's chronic absenteeism rate has fluctuated, ranging from 4.0% to 18.6%, suggesting an area for potential improvement.

Petaluma High's performance on standardized tests, such as the Smarter Balanced Assessments and the California Science Test (CAST), has been generally strong, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics consistently exceeding the district and state averages, particularly in the 11th grade. The school's performance for certain student subgroups, such as Hispanic students, English Language Learners, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, has been an area for potential improvement. Nearby schools, such as Technology High, a high-performing public charter school in the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District, could provide valuable insights and learning opportunities for Petaluma High.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 201 Fair St.
       Petaluma, CA  94952-2516


(707) 778-4651

District: Petaluma Joint Union High

SchoolDigger Rank:
576th of 2,323 California High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $7,891 Help


Feeder schools for Petaluma High:

Elementary:    Cinnabar Charter
    Dunham Charter
    Grant Elementary
    Laguna Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Petaluma Junior High

Student/teacher ratio:  21.9 Help
Number of students:  1,253

Racial breakdown:

White:
60.3%
Hispanic:
30.5%
Two or more races:
4.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  41% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Petaluma High ranks better than 75.2% of high schools in California. It also ranks 2nd among 4 ranked high schools in the Petaluma Joint Union High School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 63.19. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Petaluma High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (60.3%), Hispanic (30.5%), two or more races (4.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 41% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Petaluma Joint Union High School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Petaluma High is 21.9, which is the highest among 6 high schools in the Petaluma Joint Union High School District! (See more...)
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Compare Petaluma High employs 57 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Petaluma High is $7,891. 4 high schools in the Petaluma Joint Union High School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Petaluma High:

SchoolDigger ranks Petaluma High 576th of 2323 California public high schools. (See Petaluma High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Petaluma Joint Union High:

SchoolDigger ranks Petaluma Joint Union High 447th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Petaluma High?

Rank History for Petaluma High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Petaluma High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 54.85 422nd 1653 74.5%
2005 58.45 438th 1901 77.0%
2006 61.63 440th 1968 77.6%
2007 61.58 421st 2063 79.6%
2008 66.87 328th 2117 84.5%
2009 68.40 279th 2238 87.5%
2010 67.68 339th 2281 85.1%
2011 70.97 288th 2367 87.8%
2012 69.52 310th 2354 86.8%
2013 66.39 381st 2426 84.3%
2015 77.32 417th 1994 79.1%
2016 79.70 380th 2039 81.4%
2017 87.91 243rd 2021 88.0%
2018 85.64 294th 2017 85.4%
2019 86.90 242nd 2133 88.7%
2021 82.71 219th 1290 83.0%
2022 66.21 593rd 2123 72.1%
2023 78.35 359th 2348 84.7%
2024 63.19 576th 2323 75.2%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Petaluma High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 48.79 309th 941 67.2%
2022 32.37 751st 1044 28.1%
2024 30.13 834th 1350 38.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Petaluma High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 70.36 212th 1547 86.3%
2024 27.33 1080th 1534 29.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Petaluma High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.22 303rd 1862 83.7%
2019 78.57 319th 1937 83.5%
2021 72.08 262nd 1126 76.7%
2022 56.26 723rd 1943 62.8%
2023 73.84 368th 2247 83.6%
2024 46.87 935th 2235 58.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Petaluma High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 82.65 294th 1760 83.3%
2019 87.44 192nd 1833 89.5%
2021 76.15 231st 1054 78.1%
2022 70.59 454th 1858 75.6%
2023 79.96 304th 2118 85.6%
2024 65.95 506th 2098 75.9%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Petaluma High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.45 211th 1052 79.9%
2019 90.44 71st 1117 93.6%
2021 90.83 38th 555 93.2%
2022 76.79 156th 1161 86.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Petaluma High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.98 284th 1834 84.5%
2019 83.14 278th 1880 85.2%
2021 85.24 170th 1122 84.8%
2022 59.46 652nd 1916 66.0%
2023 73.68 409th 2207 81.5%
2024 57.10 650th 2172 70.1%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Petaluma High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.57 428th 1742 75.4%
2019 77.89 298th 1814 83.6%
2022 61.56 583rd 1861 68.7%
2023 72.64 369th 2142 82.8%
2024 48.68 866th 2125 59.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Petaluma High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.85 307th 1173 73.8%
2019 79.35 206th 1222 83.1%
2022 51.70 570th 1204 52.7%
2023 63.30 393rd 1434 72.6%
2024 48.91 616th 1406 56.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Petaluma High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: California Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Petaluma High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1179 8 46 74 9 n/a n/a 0 1316
1989 1134 14 37 70 4 n/a n/a 0 1259
1990 1085 11 35 94 3 n/a n/a 0 1228
1991 1097 6 33 122 6 n/a n/a 0 1264
1992 1110 7 29 145 6 n/a n/a 0 1297
1993 1099 6 34 147 5 n/a n/a 0 1291
1994 1154 10 30 125 8 n/a n/a 0 1327
1995 1172 9 33 126 7 n/a n/a 0 1347
1996 1172 9 33 126 7 n/a n/a 0 1347
1997 1228 12 25 138 9 n/a n/a 0 1412
1998 1189 19 29 163 12 n/a n/a 0 1412
1999 1230 19 27 181 15 n/a n/a 0 1472
2000 1226 19 29 177 11 n/a n/a 0 1462
2001 1251 21 30 179 10 n/a n/a 0 1491
2002 1272 11 44 188 11 n/a n/a 2 1528
2003 1272 11 44 188 11 n/a n/a 2 1528
2004 1306 14 44 217 15 n/a n/a 2 1598
2005 1323 12 41 234 16 n/a n/a 2 1628
2006 1317 14 50 236 19 n/a n/a 3 1639
2007 1283 23 38 262 21 n/a n/a 13 1640
2008 1229 18 43 254 18 n/a n/a 0 1562
2009 1120 21 33 266 22 3 21 0 1486
2010 1032 21 28 265 11 4 4 0 1365
2011 972 16 31 270 9 8 9 0 1315
2012 969 25 27 269 11 6 10 0 1317
2013 940 20 29 279 9 6 12 0 1295
2014 890 15 29 334 10 8 19 0 1305
2015 914 19 26 348 11 3 27 0 1348
2016 882 15 32 375 11 3 36 0 1354
2017 892 16 28 352 6 4 37 0 1335
2018 908 12 31 330 7 4 46 0 1338
2019 907 7 32 364 11 7 43 0 1371
2020 897 9 27 381 12 10 45 0 1381
2021 885 11 31 374 12 6 47 3 1369
2022 822 10 25 381 10 9 40 9 1306
2023 752 12 30 361 4 6 45 10 1220
2024 755 12 30 382 7 5 53 9 1253

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Petaluma High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1316 54.8 24.0 n/a
1989 1259 51.6 24.3 n/a
1990 1228 53.1 23.1 n/a
1991 1264 55.3 22.8 n/a
1992 1297 56.2 23.0 7.4
1993 1291 53.0 24.4 7
1994 1327 53.5 24.8 6
1995 1347 55.0 24.5 7.3
1996 1347 55.0 24.5 7.3
1997 1412 59.1 23.9 7.8
1998 1412 59.0 23.9 8.9
1999 1472 60.6 24.3 7.4
2000 1462 62.6 23.4 7.4
2001 1491 65.4 22.8 5.6
2002 1528 67.4 22.7 7.5
2003 1528 67.4 22.7 7.5
2004 1598 67.8 23.6 9
2005 1628 69.0 23.6 12.7
2006 1639 73.1 22.4 13.6
2007 1640 n/a n/a n/a
2008 1562 80.8 19.3 16.5
2009 1486 67.4 19.4 18.2
2010 1365 61.9 22.0 21.3
2011 1315 n/a n/a 30.6
2012 1317 61.0 21.5 n/a
2013 1295 60.5 21.3 29.7
2014 1305 59.6 21.8 29.7
2015 1348 62.0 21.7 24.8
2016 1354 62.0 21.8 31.2
2017 1335 62.1 21.4 29.7
2018 1338 60.8 21.9 26.2
2019 1371 61.1 22.4 25.2
2020 1381 n/a n/a 35
2021 1369 61.1 22.3 30.9
2022 1306 61.2 21.3 37.4
2023 1220 57.5 21.2 39.8
2024 1253 57.0 21.9 41

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Petaluma High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1316 54.8 24.0 n/a
1989 1259 51.6 24.3 n/a
1990 1228 53.1 23.1 n/a
1991 1264 55.3 22.8 n/a
1992 1297 56.2 23.0 7.4
1993 1291 53.0 24.4 7
1994 1327 53.5 24.8 6
1995 1347 55.0 24.5 7.3
1996 1347 55.0 24.5 7.3
1997 1412 59.1 23.9 7.8
1998 1412 59.0 23.9 8.9
1999 1472 60.6 24.3 7.4
2000 1462 62.6 23.4 7.4
2001 1491 65.4 22.8 5.6
2002 1528 67.4 22.7 7.5
2003 1528 67.4 22.7 7.5
2004 1598 67.8 23.6 9
2005 1628 69.0 23.6 12.7
2006 1639 73.1 22.4 13.6
2007 1640 n/a n/a n/a
2008 1562 80.8 19.3 16.5
2009 1486 67.4 19.4 18.2
2010 1365 61.9 22.0 21.3
2011 1315 n/a n/a 30.6
2012 1317 61.0 21.5 n/a
2013 1295 60.5 21.3 29.7
2014 1305 59.6 21.8 29.7
2015 1348 62.0 21.7 24.8
2016 1354 62.0 21.8 31.2
2017 1335 62.1 21.4 29.7
2018 1338 60.8 21.9 26.2
2019 1371 61.1 22.4 25.2
2020 1381 n/a n/a 35
2021 1369 61.1 22.3 30.9
2022 1306 61.2 21.3 37.4
2023 1220 57.5 21.2 39.8
2024 1253 57.0 21.9 41

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Petaluma High

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $7,891

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Petaluma High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 242nd of 2133 High schoolsRanks 359th of 2348 High schools
 3.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Petaluma High)73.668.3
 5.3%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Petaluma Joint Union High)68.361.3
 7%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Petaluma High)42.637.4
 5.2%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Petaluma Joint Union High)3832.7
 5.3%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
11th Grade Science (Petaluma High)5143.4
 7.7%
   11th Grade Science (Petaluma Joint Union High)43.736.1
 7.7%
   11th Grade Science (California)30.431.7
 1.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students13711220
 11%
African American712
 71.4%
American Indian114
 63.6%
Asian3230
 6.3%
Hispanic364361
 0.8%
Pacific Islander76
 14.3%
White907752
 17.1%
Two or More Races4345
 4.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients25.2%39.8%
 14.6%


Schools Near Petaluma High









Frequently Asked Questions about Petaluma High

Petaluma High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Cinnabar Charter
Elementary : Dunham Charter
Elementary : Grant Elementary
Elementary : Laguna Elementary
Elementary : Liberty Primary
Elementary : McDowell Elementary
Elementary : McKinley Elementary
Elementary : McNear Elementary
Elementary : Penngrove Elementary
Elementary : Two Rock Elementary
Elementary : Valley Vista Elementary
Elementary : Wilson Elementary
Middle : Petaluma Junior High

Petaluma High ranks 576th of 2323 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,253 students attended Petaluma High.

Students at Petaluma High are 60% White, 30% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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