Excellent
#315 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 3% in state
Ferndale Elementary
Elementary School · Ferndale Unified
164 Shaw Ave., Ferndale, CA 95536
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ferndale
#1 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#247 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 2
Ferndale Unified
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Ferndale Elementary
Ferndale Elementary is a public elementary school in Ferndale, CA, part of the Ferndale Unified. The school serves approximately 349 students in grades Kindergarten – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.7th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 50% proficiency in math, 13 points above the state average and 46% in reading/language arts, 0 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $66,563, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ferndale 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Ferndale Elementary — Students at Ferndale Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.3%
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: 9.9/10.
How Ferndale Elementary Compares
See how Ferndale Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 55.66% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 48.18% (2024).
Location
164 Shaw Ave., Ferndale, CA 95536
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ferndale Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eagle Prairie Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Rio Dell), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Redwood Preparatory Charter (rated 7.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Fortuna), a more accessible option. Additionally, Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Scotia), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ferndale, see our Ferndale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ferndale High Ferndale | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Loleta Elementary Loleta | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Fortuna Middle Fortuna | 5.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Fortuna Union High Fortuna | 6.1 mi | 3.9 |
| East High (Continuation) Fortuna | 6.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Linell K. Walker Elementary Fortuna | 6.5 mi | 5.0 |
| New Life Christian Fortuna | 6.5 mi | — |
| Eel River Community Eureka | 6.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Redwood Preparatory Charter Fortuna | 6.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Toddy Thomas Middle Fortuna | 6.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Norman G. Ambrosini Elementary Fortuna | 7.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Academy of the Redwoods Fortuna | 9.3 mi | 6.2 |
| South Bay Elementary Eureka | 11.3 mi | 6.1 |
| South Bay Charter Eureka | 11.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Hydesville Elementary Hydesville | 9.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Eagle Prairie Elementary Rio Dell | 10.1 mi | 9.3 |
| Monument Middle Rio Dell | 10.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Koinonia Academy PSP Hydesville | 9.8 mi | — |
| Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary Scotia | 11.0 mi | 7.2 |
| NORTH COAST MENNONITE Hydesville | 10.3 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,563
Median Home Value
$570,800
Median Rent
$1,239/mo
Population
3,360
College Educated
24.2%
Homeownership
63%
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
45.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ferndale Elementary has a median household income of $66,563. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $570,800, with a median rent of $1,239/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Argonaut Elementary Saratoga, CA | 8.8 |
| Bonita Street Elementary Carson, CA | 8.8 |
| Capri Elementary Campbell, CA | 8.8 |
| Carlos Santana Arts Academy North Hills, CA | 8.8 |
| Central Elementary Baldwin Park, CA | 8.8 |
| Cimarron Avenue Elementary Hawthorne, CA | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ferndale Elementary
What grades does Ferndale Elementary serve?
Ferndale Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Ferndale Elementary?
Ferndale Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 349 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ferndale Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ferndale Elementary is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ferndale Elementary rank in CA?
Ferndale Elementary is ranked #315 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ferndale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ferndale Elementary has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Ferndale Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ferndale Elementary has 50.2% math proficiency and 46.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ferndale Elementary a charter school?
No, Ferndale Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ferndale Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ferndale Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ferndale Elementary?
45.3% of students at Ferndale 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ferndale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 349
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Humboldt County
- Phone
- (707) 786-5300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ferndale Unified- District Enrollment
- 482
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,763
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.