Excellent
#606 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 6% in state
Dow's Prairie Elementary
Elementary School · McKinleyville Union Elementary
3940 Dows Prairie Rd., Mckinleyville, CA 95519
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 2nd
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 2nd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#606 of 9,539
In Mckinleyville
#1 of 6
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
McKinleyville Union Elementary
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Dow's Prairie Elementary
Elementary School in Mckinleyville · grades Kindergarten – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mckinleyville High
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mad River High (continuation)
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dow's Prairie Elementary
Dow's Prairie Elementary is a public elementary school in Mckinleyville, CA, part of McKinleyville Union Elementary. Dow's Prairie Elementary serves approximately 317 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-2nd, and has a 21.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Dow's Prairie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #606 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Dow's Prairie Elementary show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2012) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2012).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 6.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Dow's Prairie Elementary runs 21.1:1 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.
32% of students at Dow's Prairie Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dow's Prairie Elementary — Students at Dow's Prairie Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2011-12)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
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 9.8/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.8/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Arcata), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Pacific Union Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Arcata), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.3 |
| Mad River High (Continuation) Mckinleyville | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Morris Elementary Mckinleyville | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville | 2.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville | 2.5 mi | — |
| Fieldbrook Elementary Mckinleyville | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata | 5.3 mi | — |
| Laurel Tree Charter Arcata | 5.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Pacific Union Elementary Arcata | 5.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Arcata Elementary Arcata | 6.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Trinidad Union Trinidad | 6.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata | 6.7 mi | 4.7 |
| MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata | 6.8 mi | — |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata | 6.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Arcata High Arcata | 7.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata | 7.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Six Rivers Charter High Arcata | 7.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata | 7.2 mi | 7.4 |
| ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata | 7.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Union Street Charter Arcata | 7.9 mi | 9.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Barron Park Elementary Palo Alto, CA | 8.7 |
| Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley, CA | 8.7 |
| Brewer Island Elementary Foster City, CA | 8.7 |
| D. J. Sedgwick Elementary Cupertino, CA | 8.7 |
| Dominguez Elementary Carson, CA | 8.7 |
| Enders Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 8.7 |
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 ranks #606 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Dow's Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dow's Prairie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Dow's Prairie Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dow's Prairie Elementary has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2012) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2012).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.5%
- Phone
- (707) 839-1558
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
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