Very Good
#3370 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 35% 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
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grass Valley
#8 of 21
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,208 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 4
Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Arete Charter Academy
Arete Charter Academy is a charter school located in Grass Valley, California, nestled in the heart of Nevada County's rural countryside. The school serves kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of 239 students and boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 23.9:1, supported by ten full-time equivalent teachers. Arete Charter Academy focuses on providing a solid educational foundation to its young learners, though recent academic performance shows room for improvement, with only 41% proficiency in English Language Arts/Reading and 32% proficiency in Math across all grades.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 places it in the 53rd percentile among California schools. Despite these scores indicating areas where academic growth is needed, Arete Charter Academy continues to nurture a supportive learning environment for its students. The rural setting provides a peaceful and close-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong relationships between teachers, students, and families.
Arete Charter Academy stands out as a pillar of education in the serene backdrop of Grass Valley's natural beauty.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Arete Charter Academy is 23.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Arete Charter Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Arete Charter Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Arete Charter Academy — Students at Arete Charter Academy score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
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 18 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: 9.6/10.
How Arete Charter Academy Compares
See how Arete Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 24.5% (2019) to 31.37% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 41.18% (2024).
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. LIVE OAK WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Meadow Vista), with a comparable rating. Another option is Cottage Hill Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Alta Sierra Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 4.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.4 |
| Magnolia Intermediate Grass Valley | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Cottage Hill Elementary Grass Valley | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 5.0 |
| Alta Sierra Elementary Grass Valley | 4.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Sierra Hills Elementary Meadow Vista | 7.4 mi | 5.9 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Vantage Point Charter Penn Valley | 9.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Ready Springs Elementary Penn Valley | 9.1 mi | 6.0 |
| PINE HILLS ADVENTIST ACADEMY Auburn | 9.5 mi | 5.5 |
| John Muir Charter Grass Valley | 9.6 mi | 6.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Arete Charter Academy has a median household income of $90,309. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $551,700, with a median rent of $1,827/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Aeolian Elementary Whittier, CA | 7.0 |
| Belle Air Elementary San Bruno, CA | 7.0 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange, CA | 7.0 |
| Cambridge Heights Elementary Citrus Heights, CA | 7.0 |
| Enadia Way Technology Charter West Hills, CA | 7.0 |
| GATEWAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz, CA | 7.0 |
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 is ranked #3370 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Arete Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Arete Charter Academy has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Arete Charter Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arete Charter Academy has 32.1% math proficiency and 41.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grass Valley). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (530) 268-2805
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,428
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,572
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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.
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