Average
#4255 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 45% in state
Arcata High
High School · Northern Humboldt Union High · Arcata, CA
A Northern Humboldt Union High high school where students score 3 points below what's typical for similar communities.
1720 M St., Arcata, CA 95521
- Math 37% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 61% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 95%+ 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at Arcata High score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 8 points since 2019, to 49% in 2024, across a 16-year record (2009–2024).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 52% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 71% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
39.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Arcata High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 76Very Walkable
- Bike 97Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety: High2,282/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Arcata), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$54,324
Median home value
$478,600
Median rent
$1,300/mo
College educated
45%
Homeownership
36.7%
Poverty rate
26.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 95521; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Coast High (continuation)Enrollment path unverified | 6.2 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 40 | Compare → |
| Six Rivers Charter HighCharter · enrollment unverified | 5.7 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 106 | Compare → |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts AcademyCharter · enrollment unverified | 7.4 | 6–12 | 0.5 mi | 130 | Compare → |
| Mad River High (continuation)Enrollment path unverified | 6.4 | 9–12 | Not available | 48 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Northern Humboldt Union High
- Schools in district
- 5
- Rank in district
- #1 of 5
- District spending per student
- $17,026NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 13.2%Census SAIPE · 2024
Arcata High is listed in Northern Humboldt Union High; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Arcata High
Arcata High is a public high school in Arcata, CA, part of Northern Humboldt Union High, serving approximately 1,011 students in grades 9th-12th with a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #4,255 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Arcata High
What grades does Arcata High serve?
Arcata High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Arcata High?
Arcata High has an enrollment of approximately 1,011 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Arcata High?
The student-teacher ratio at Arcata High is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Arcata High rank in CA?
Arcata High ranks #4,255 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Arcata High's MySchoolScout rating?
Arcata High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Arcata High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Arcata High has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Arcata High a charter school?
No, Arcata High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Arcata High a Title I school?
No, Arcata High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arcata High?
39.3% of students at Arcata High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,011
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Humboldt County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.2%
- Phone
- (707) 825-2400
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
- Area population (ZIP 95521)
- 21,684
- Area average commute
- 18.3 min
- Area median age
- 29.2
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 95521; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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