English, math and science scores for Napa and Sonoma county students improved in the 2024-25 school year, according to new state data released Thursday. But even as the region’s results inch forward, they continue to lag behind California averages and remain below pre-pandemic levels.
The results come from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, which tests third- through eighth-grade students and 11th graders each year in English language arts and math. Science assessments are given in fifth and eighth grades and once in high school.
The state Department of Education describes the exams as a comprehensive snapshot of student performance, though it recommends that results be considered alongside classroom work, teacher evaluations and other measures of progress.
In Napa County, English scores increased for the first time since the pandemic, while math and science scores rose slightly more than in recent years — signs of growing momentum. Sonoma County, already on an upward swing, saw modest gains in all three subjects. In science, countywide averages even surpassed pre-pandemic performance.
Statewide, 48.8% of students met or exceeded standards in English language arts in 2024-25, compared with 44.9% in Napa County and 45.2% in Sonoma County. In math, 37.3% of California students met the standard, while Napa and Sonoma counties posted 30.2% and 33.4%, respectively. In science, 32.7% of students statewide met or exceeded the standard, compared with 25% in Napa and 29.8% in Sonoma.
“While we’re seeing some gains across the county and statewide, these scores are another reminder that educators in Sonoma County – and California – have a lot of work ahead,” Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Amie Carter said.
She added that recent countywide initiatives, like the Sonoma County Literacy Promise, are helping raise awareness of students’ needs and strengthen their reading skills.
Despite the steady progress across California, state averages remain about two percentage points below pre-pandemic levels from 2018-19, underscoring how districts are still working to recover learning lost during COVID-19. Science is the lone exception, now nearly three points above its pre-pandemic average.
“At a time when the federal administration is focused on cutting education funding, in California we’re doubling down on our efforts to support our schools, students, and teachers,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “California’s increasing test scores show our efforts are paying off.”
Napa County
Within Napa County, the 1,100-student St. Helena Unified continues to lead local performance. Even with a small drop in math scores this year, the district remains more than five percentage points above the state average in English, math and science.
The county’s largest district, Napa Valley Unified — with more than 16,000 students — showed gains across all three subjects. The district continues to trail state averages but closed the gap significantly in English language arts and narrowed it slightly in math.
The share of students meeting or exceeding standards in English jumped from 40.7% in 2023-24 to 44.7% in 2024-25, the district’s first significant increase since before the pandemic. Math scores climbed nearly two points to 29.7%, and science improved by two points to 24.5%.
“We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and staff for their hard work and dedication,” Superintendent Rosanna Mucetti said in a statement. “The results speak for themselves.”
Calistoga Joint Unified, meanwhile, saw its math and science scores dip this year and now trails Napa Valley Unified in English and science. Both St. Helena and Calistoga are “basic aid” districts, meaning they draw funding primarily from local property taxes and spend considerably more per student than Napa Valley Unified.
Sonoma County
In Sonoma County, Petaluma City Schools once again posted the highest percentage of students meeting state standards in English, math and science among the county’s five largest districts.
Elementary scores in Petaluma dipped slightly in English and science, but high school performance outpaced state averages across all subjects.
Santa Rosa City Schools, the county’s largest district, recorded marginal gains in English for both elementary and high school students, as well as in elementary math. But science scores dipped for both grade levels, and high school math slipped slightly. The district’s performance remains well below the state average.
At the district’s high schools, 40.2% of students met or exceeded standards in English, compared with 32.6% at its elementary schools and 48.8% statewide. In math, 24.2% of the high school students and 25% of elementary students met the standard, compared with 37.3% statewide. In science, 25.9% of high school students and 20.4% of elementary students met the mark, compared with 32.7% statewide.
Sonoma Valley Unified, meanwhile, saw small drops in English and math scores and a more substantial decline in science — from 23.4% in 2023-24 to 18.2% in 2024-25.
Data by student groups
In both counties, socioeconomically disadvantaged students continue to score about 10 percentage points lower than county averages in English, math and science — a persistent equity gap that mirrors statewide trends.
In Napa County, 34.9% of socioeconomically disadvantaged students met or exceeded standards in English, compared with 64.1% of students who are not disadvantaged and 44.9% overall.
In Sonoma County, 33% of socioeconomically disadvantaged students met standards in English, compared with 60% of students who are not disadvantaged and 45.2% overall. The same gap appears in math and science.
“It’s painful to see that many of our highest-needs students continue to struggle academically while politicians in Washington, D.C. have threatened to withhold or cut federal funding that has traditionally supported low-income and migrant students,” said Carter, the Sonoma County schools superintendent.
The region’s Hispanic and Latino students — who make up about 60% of Napa’s and 50% of Sonoma’s student populations — also lag roughly 10 points behind county averages.
In Napa, 19.7% of Hispanic or Latino students met or exceeded standards in math, compared with 48.4% of white students and 30.2% overall. In Sonoma, 20.3% of Hispanic or Latino students met the math standard, compared with 47.7% of white students and 33.4% overall.
Educators say these disparities highlight the ongoing need for targeted support programs that address language barriers, family income gaps and access to academic resources.
“Now that the scores are public, we will be working with our districts to provide support in any areas of need they identify,” Napa County Superintendent of Schools Joshua Schultz said.