Average
#3568 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 37% in state
Based on limited data
Dow's Prairie Elementary
Elementary School · McKinleyville Union Elementary
3940 Dows Prairie Rd., Mckinleyville, CA 95519
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 2nd
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 2nd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mckinleyville
#2 of 6
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,316 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 3
McKinleyville Union Elementary
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Dow's Prairie Elementary
Dow's Prairie Elementary is a charming elementary school located in the small, remote town of McKinleyville, California. The school serves kindergarten through second grade and has an enrollment of 317 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Dow's Prairie Elementary provides a supportive environment for young learners.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.5 out of 10, and it ranks at the 67th percentile among California schools based on its state ranking of #3172 out of 9566. While specific test scores are not available, the school focuses on fostering a strong educational foundation for early learners. Dow's Prairie Elementary is situated in a tight-knit community where students benefit from personalized attention and nurturing care.
The town’s remote setting offers a unique learning environment that encourages exploration and connection with nature.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Dow's Prairie Elementary is 21.1:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Dow's Prairie Elementary Compares
See how Dow's Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
3940 Dows Prairie Rd., Mckinleyville, CA 95519
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dow's Prairie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Street Charter (rated 9.5/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.0/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Trinidad Union (rated 7.9/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Trinidad), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mckinleyville, see our Mckinleyville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McKinleyville High Mckinleyville | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Mad River High (Continuation) Mckinleyville | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Morris Elementary Mckinleyville | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville | 2.5 mi | — |
| Fieldbrook Elementary Mckinleyville | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata | 5.3 mi | — |
| Laurel Tree Charter Arcata | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Pacific Union Elementary Arcata | 5.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Arcata Elementary Arcata | 6.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Trinidad Union Trinidad | 6.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata | 6.7 mi | 5.0 |
| MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata | 6.8 mi | — |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata | 6.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Arcata High Arcata | 7.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata | 7.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Six Rivers Charter High Arcata | 7.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata | 7.2 mi | 7.3 |
| ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata | 7.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Union Street Charter Arcata | 7.9 mi | 9.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95519 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,687
Median Home Value
$432,600
Median Rent
$1,442/mo
Population
18,792
College Educated
38.1%
Homeownership
61.3%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
40.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dow's Prairie Elementary has a median household income of $66,687. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $432,600, with a median rent of $1,442/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Alila Earlimart, CA | 6.9 |
| Andasol Avenue Elementary Northridge, CA | 6.9 |
| Anne Darling Elementary San Jose, CA | 6.9 |
| Aurora Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 6.9 |
| Baldwin Hills Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 6.9 |
| Burbank (Luther) Elementary Artesia, CA | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dow's Prairie Elementary
What grades does Dow's Prairie Elementary serve?
Dow's Prairie Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 2nd.
How many students attend Dow's Prairie Elementary?
Dow's Prairie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 317 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dow's Prairie Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Dow's Prairie Elementary is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dow's Prairie Elementary rank in CA?
Dow's Prairie Elementary is ranked #3568 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Dow's Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dow's Prairie Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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.
Is Dow's Prairie Elementary a charter school?
No, Dow's Prairie Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dow's Prairie Elementary a Title I school?
No, Dow's Prairie Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dow's Prairie Elementary?
62.8% of students at Dow's Prairie 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.
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 – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 317
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Humboldt County
- Phone
- (707) 839-1558
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McKinleyville Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 924
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,485
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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