Average
#7359 of 9,533 schools in CA
Arcata Elementary
Elementary School · Arcata Elementary
2400 Baldwin St., Arcata, CA 95521
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arcata
#9 of 11
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,348 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 2
Arcata Elementary
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Arcata Elementary
Arcata Elementary is a regular public school located in Arcata, California, a remote town nestled in Humboldt County. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade students with an enrollment of 253 pupils and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention from the dedicated teaching staff. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers on board, Arcata Elementary strives to create a nurturing learning environment.
According to MySchoolScout’s ranking system, Arcata Elementary scores a rating of 5.3 out of 10, placing it at the 49th percentile among California schools. Academically, the school's ELA and reading proficiency stands at 35%, with math proficiency at 36%. While these numbers indicate there is room for academic growth, Arcata Elementary remains committed to supporting each student’s development and progress.
Arcata Elementary is situated in a close-knit community where students can explore outdoor activities and engage with the natural surroundings that are abundant in this remote setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Arcata Elementary — Students at Arcata Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.
How Arcata Elementary Compares
See how Arcata Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 31.97% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 31.97% (2024).
Location
2400 Baldwin St., Arcata, CA 95521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Arcata Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Street Charter (rated 9.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jacoby Creek (rated 7.5/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Bayside), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Arcata, see our Arcata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arcata High Arcata | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Six Rivers Charter High Arcata | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Pacific Union Elementary Arcata | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata | 0.8 mi | — |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Laurel Tree Charter Arcata | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata | 1.3 mi | — |
| Union Street Charter Arcata | 1.4 mi | 9.5 |
| Sunny Brae Middle Arcata | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Jacoby Creek Bayside | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside | 3.0 mi | — |
| Mistwood Educational Center Bayside | 3.0 mi | — |
| HUMBOLDT BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bayside | 3.7 mi | — |
| Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville | 4.3 mi | — |
| McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville | 4.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Morris Elementary Mckinleyville | 4.8 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,324
Median Home Value
$478,600
Median Rent
$1,300/mo
Population
21,684
College Educated
45%
Homeownership
36.7%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
26.7%
Median Age
29.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Arcata Elementary has a median household income of $54,324. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $478,600, with a median rent of $1,300/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Belle Haven Elementary Menlo Park, CA | 5.1 |
| Brook Hill Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 5.1 |
| Charles Peck Elementary Carmichael, CA | 5.1 |
| Community School for Creative Education Oakland, CA | 5.1 |
| DOLORES MISSION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 5.1 |
| Daniel Webster Elementary Daly City, CA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Arcata Elementary
What grades does Arcata Elementary serve?
Arcata Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Arcata Elementary?
Arcata Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 253 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Arcata Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Arcata Elementary is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Arcata Elementary rank in CA?
Arcata Elementary is ranked #7359 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Arcata Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Arcata Elementary has a composite rating of 5.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Arcata Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arcata Elementary has 35.6% math proficiency and 35.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Arcata Elementary a charter school?
No, Arcata Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Arcata Elementary a Title I school?
No, Arcata Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arcata Elementary?
73.9% of students at Arcata Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,282/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Arcata). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 253
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Humboldt County
- Phone
- (707) 822-4858
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arcata Elementary- District Enrollment
- 493
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $41,678
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.