Average
#5947 of 9,533 schools in CA
Arcata High
High School · Northern Humboldt Union High
1720 M St., Arcata, CA 95521
Enrollment
1,011
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,011
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arcata
#7 of 11
public schools
California high schools
#1,280 of 1,892
In district
#2 of 5
Northern Humboldt Union High
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Arcata High
Arcata High serves 1,011 students in grades 9-12 in the coastal town of Arcata, California. With 52 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, providing students with reasonable access to individual attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 76th percentile among California high schools at #2312 out of 9,566 schools statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 61% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a challenge, with 37% of students reaching proficiency, indicating an area where the school continues to focus its efforts on student development. Arcata High draws from a diverse community where 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the area's connection to nearby Humboldt State University.
The surrounding ZIP code of 95521 has a median household income of $47,764 and a poverty rate of 31.5%, creating a mix of economic circumstances among families. With median home values at $441,900, the area reflects California's coastal housing market. The school is situated in Humboldt County's remote but vibrant town setting, where students experience education in a close-knit community surrounded by California's famous redwood forests and rugged Pacific coastline.
Score Breakdown
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Arcata High — Students at Arcata High score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 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: 4.7/10.
How Arcata High Compares
See how Arcata High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 38% (2019) to 36.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 60.89% (2024).
Location
1720 M St., Arcata, CA 95521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Arcata High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pacific Coast High (Continuation) (rated 7.0/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Six Rivers Charter High (rated 5.1/10), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Arcata, see our Arcata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Six Rivers Charter High Arcata | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Arcata Elementary Arcata | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata | 0.6 mi | — |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Union Street Charter Arcata | 1.1 mi | 9.5 |
| Pacific Union Elementary Arcata | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Laurel Tree Charter Arcata | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata | 1.8 mi | — |
| Sunny Brae Middle Arcata | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Jacoby Creek Bayside | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside | 2.7 mi | — |
| Mistwood Educational Center Bayside | 2.7 mi | — |
| HUMBOLDT BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bayside | 3.4 mi | — |
| Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville | 4.6 mi | — |
| McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville | 4.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Morris Elementary Mckinleyville | 5.2 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Banning High Banning, CA | 5.8 |
| Gardena Senior High Gardena, CA | 5.8 |
| Palo Verde High Blythe, CA | 5.8 |
| ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL San Francisco, CA | 5.7 |
| CREAN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Irvine, CA | 5.7 |
| Highlands High North Highlands, CA | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #5947 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Arcata High's MySchoolScout rating?
Arcata High has a composite rating of 5.8 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arcata High has 39.7% math proficiency and 67.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Arcata). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,011
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Humboldt County
- Phone
- (707) 825-2400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northern Humboldt Union High- District Enrollment
- 1,756
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,026
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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
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