Best Schools in Mckinleyville, California
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Mckinleyville?
Use this page to compare every school in Mckinleyville by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Mckinleyville High
High · Northern Humboldt Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Dow's Prairie Elementary
Elementary · Mckinleyville Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Morris Elementary
Elementary · Mckinleyville Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Mckinleyville for 2026 are Mckinleyville High (7.7/10), Dow's Prairie Elementary (6.8/10), and Morris Elementary (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$455,600
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$455,600
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Mckinleyville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mckinleyville High | 7.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Dow's Prairie Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Morris Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Mad River High (continuation) | 4.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Mckinleyville Middle | 4.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Fieldbrook Elementary | 3.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $60,506
- Median home value
- $455,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 42%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Mckinleyville compares
California rank
#502 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$61k
61% of California median
Schools in this city
6
Mckinleyville's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Mckinleyville. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Mckinleyville Union Elementary (3), Northern Humboldt Union High (2), Fieldbrook Elementary (1).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.9 to 7.7 — the spread is inside Mckinleyville, not a citywide average.
- Mckinleyville Union Elementary3 public · 50%
- Northern Humboldt Union High2 public · 33%
- Fieldbrook Elementary1 public · 17%
About Schools in Mckinleyville, California
Mckinleyville, California is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Mckinleyville show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Mckinleyville is Mckinleyville High with a composite score of 7.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Mckinleyville is served by 3 school districts: Northern Humboldt Union High, Fieldbrook Elementary, McKinleyville Union Elementary. These districts collectively serve 2,791 students.
Mckinleyville's community shows 42% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $60,506. The poverty rate in the area is 20.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 317 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 268 students · 3rd–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 3 | 111 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Field to ForestPrivate 11 students · Kindergarten–4th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 338 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 549 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 48 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
Schools in Mckinleyville
Mckinleyville, California · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$60,506
Median Home Value
$455,600
Median Rent
$1,371/mo
Population
40,476
College Educated
42%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
20.4%
Community Profile
Mckinleyville has a median household income of $60,506. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $455,600, with a median rent of $1,371/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Mckinleyville, California
How many schools are in Mckinleyville, California?
Mckinleyville has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Mckinleyville, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Mckinleyville is 5.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Mckinleyville, California?
The top-ranked school in Mckinleyville on MySchoolScout is Mckinleyville High with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Mckinleyville, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Mckinleyville on MySchoolScout is Dow's Prairie Elementary with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Mckinleyville, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Mckinleyville on MySchoolScout is Mckinleyville Middle with a composite score of 4.7/10.
What is the best high school in Mckinleyville, California?
The top-ranked high school in Mckinleyville on MySchoolScout is Mckinleyville High with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Mckinleyville, California?
Mckinleyville is served by 3 school districts: Northern Humboldt Union High, Fieldbrook Elementary, Mckinleyville Union Elementary.
What is the education level in Mckinleyville, California?
According to Census data, 42% of adults in Mckinleyville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Mckinleyville, California?
The median household income in Mckinleyville is approximately $60,506 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Mckinleyville, California?
Yes, Mckinleyville has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Mckinleyville, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Mckinleyville is 18.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Mckinleyville, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.