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#6760 of 9,533 schools in CA

Blue Lake Union Elementary

Elementary School · Blue Lake Union Elementary

PO Box 268, Blue Lake, CA 95525

Enrollment

160

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#4,008 of 5,817

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Blue Lake Union Elementary

Blue Lake Union Elementary is a charming rural school located in Blue Lake, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 160 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 with eleven full-time equivalent teachers. Nestled in a serene setting surrounded by nature, Blue Lake Union Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its students.

While academic performance metrics show that there is room for improvement, the school community remains committed to fostering growth and development among its pupils. In reading and math, 33% and 25% of students respectively are proficient or above, indicating areas where targeted support could make a significant difference. Despite these challenges, Blue Lake Union Elementary continues to prioritize individual attention and nurturing educational experiences for every child.

The school's rural setting offers a unique backdrop that integrates the natural beauty of Humboldt County into daily life and learning.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 160 students, Blue Lake Union Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Blue Lake Union Elementary 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.7%
Math vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.1 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-11.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,884

Blue Lake Union Elementary — Students at Blue Lake Union Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
37.7%
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
24.3%
ELA
30%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Blue Lake Union Elementary Compares

See how Blue Lake Union Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in CA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

PO Box 268, Blue Lake, CA 95525

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blue Lake Union Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Street Charter (rated 9.5/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.0/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fieldbrook Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Mckinleyville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Blue Lake, see our Blue Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Sunny Brae Middle Arcata 4.5 mi 5.6
Fieldbrook Elementary Mckinleyville 5.4 mi 7.7
MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside 4.8 mi
Mistwood Educational Center Bayside 4.8 mi
ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata 4.5 mi 4.3
Jacoby Creek Bayside 4.8 mi 7.5
Union Street Charter Arcata 4.7 mi 9.5
SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata 4.7 mi
Laurel Tree Charter Arcata 4.9 mi 6.9
Arcata Elementary Arcata 4.9 mi 5.1
Arcata High Arcata 5.1 mi 5.8
Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata 5.1 mi 7.0
Six Rivers Charter High Arcata 5.1 mi 5.1
HUMBOLDT BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bayside 5.8 mi
Pacific Union Elementary Arcata 5.3 mi 7.0
Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata 5.6 mi 7.3
Coastal Grove Charter Arcata 5.7 mi 8.0
MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata 5.7 mi
Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata 5.7 mi 5.0
McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville 7.0 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95525 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,250

Median Home Value

$489,600

Median Rent

$1,221/mo

Population

1,443

College Educated

36.6%

Homeownership

53.9%

Poverty Rate

21.9%

Median Age

56.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Blue Lake Union Elementary has a median household income of $65,250. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $489,600, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ASCENSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thousand Oaks, CA 5.4
Brookfield Elementary Oakland, CA 5.4
CHARLIE KEYAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Clovis, CA 5.4
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 5.4
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pine Grove, CA 5.4
California Elementary West Covina, CA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blue Lake Union Elementary

What grades does Blue Lake Union Elementary serve?

Blue Lake Union Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Blue Lake Union Elementary?

Blue Lake Union Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 160 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Lake Union Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Blue Lake Union Elementary is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blue Lake Union Elementary rank in CA?

Blue Lake Union Elementary is ranked #6760 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Blue Lake Union Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Lake Union Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Blue Lake Union Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blue Lake Union Elementary has 25.0% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Blue Lake Union Elementary a charter school?

No, Blue Lake Union Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Blue Lake Union Elementary a Title I school?

No, Blue Lake Union Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blue Lake Union Elementary?

62.5% of students at Blue Lake Union 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (580/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
160
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Humboldt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Blue Lake Union Elementary
District Enrollment
160
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,285
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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