Very Good
#2166 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 23% in state
Arete Charter Academy
Elementary School · Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary
16229 Duggans Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95949
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,166 of 9,539
In Grass Valley
#6 of 21
public schools
In district
#1 of 4
Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Arete Charter Academy?
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Arete Charter Academy
Elementary School in Grass Valley · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Christian Encounter High School
3.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bear River High
2.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Arete Charter Academy
Arete Charter Academy is a public elementary school in Grass Valley, CA, part of Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary. Arete Charter Academy serves approximately 239 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 23.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Arete Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,166 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Arete Charter Academy show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- District avg 5.7
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Arete Charter Academy runs 23.9:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Arete Charter Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Arete Charter Academy sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Arete Charter Academy — Students at Arete Charter Academy score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Arete Charter Academy Compares
See how Arete Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
16229 Duggans Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95949
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Arete Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ready Springs Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Penn Valley), with a comparable rating. Another option is Clear Creek Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 5.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Sierra Hills Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Meadow Vista), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grass Valley, see our Grass Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN ENCOUNTER HIGH SCHOOL Grass Valley | 3.1 mi | — |
| Christian Encounter High School Grass Valley | 3.1 mi | — |
| Bear River High Grass Valley | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Magnolia Intermediate Grass Valley | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Cottage Hill Elementary Grass Valley | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Forest Lake Christian School Auburn | 4.5 mi | — |
| Wolf Mountain Christian School Grass Valley | 5.1 mi | — |
| Clear Creek Elementary Grass Valley | 5.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Alta Sierra Elementary Grass Valley | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Sierra Hills Elementary Meadow Vista | 7.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Live Oak Waldorf School Meadow Vista | 7.6 mi | — |
| LIVE OAK WALDORF SCHOOL Meadow Vista | 7.7 mi | 6.3 |
| WEIMAR ACADEMY Weimar | 7.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Weimar Hills Weimar | 7.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Vantage Point Charter Penn Valley | 9.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Ready Springs Elementary Penn Valley | 9.1 mi | 7.1 |
| PINE HILLS ADVENTIST ACADEMY Auburn | 9.5 mi | 5.4 |
| John Muir Charter Grass Valley | 9.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Pine Hills Adventist Academy Auburn | 9.5 mi | — |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn | 9.7 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95949 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,309
Median Home Value
$551,700
Median Rent
$1,827/mo
Population
20,709
College Educated
32.3%
Homeownership
86.2%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
54.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Atwater Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.7 |
| Benjamin Foxen Elementary Santa Maria, CA | 7.7 |
| Burbank Boulevard Elementary North Hollywood, CA | 7.7 |
| Cabrillo Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.7 |
| Carl Hankey Elementary Mission Viejo, CA | 7.7 |
| Charter Alternative Program (CAP) Placerville, CA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Arete Charter Academy
What grades does Arete Charter Academy serve?
Arete Charter Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Arete Charter Academy?
Arete Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Arete Charter Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Arete Charter Academy is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Arete Charter Academy rank in CA?
Arete Charter Academy ranks #2,166 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Arete Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Arete Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Arete Charter Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Arete Charter Academy has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024).
Is Arete Charter Academy a charter school?
Yes, Arete Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Arete Charter Academy a Title I school?
No, Arete Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arete Charter Academy?
28.9% of students at Arete Charter Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 239
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Nevada County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 5.9%
- Phone
- (530) 268-2805
Resources & Links
District
Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,428
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,572
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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