Very Good
#2776 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 29% in state
Ferndale High
High School · Ferndale Unified
1231 Main St., Ferndale, CA 95536
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ferndale
#2 of 2
public schools
California high schools
#510 of 1,892
In district
#2 of 2
Ferndale Unified
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Ferndale High
Ferndale High serves 133 students in grades 9 through 12 in the rural community of Ferndale, California. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with an 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 76th percentile statewide at #2309 out of 9,566 California schools.
Academically, 44% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels, while math performance shows room for growth with 22% of students meeting proficiency standards. These results reflect opportunities for continued academic development in a supportive small-school setting. Ferndale High is situated in Humboldt County's rural landscape, where the surrounding ZIP code 95536 has a population of 3,258 residents.
The community has a median household income of $66,815 and a median home value of $527,900, with 26% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.2%. The school serves this close-knit rural community where students benefit from small class sizes and the unique character of Northern California's redwood country.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 133 students, Ferndale High 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, Ferndale High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Ferndale High — Students at Ferndale High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
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.
* 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: 9.4/10.
How Ferndale High Compares
See how Ferndale High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 25% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 53.57% (2024).
Location
1231 Main St., Ferndale, CA 95536
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ferndale High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East High (Continuation) (rated 7.5/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Fortuna), with a very similar rating. Another option is Academy of the Redwoods (rated 6.2/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Fortuna), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Eel River Community (rated 4.5/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Eureka), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ferndale, see our Ferndale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ferndale Elementary Ferndale | 0.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Loleta Elementary Loleta | 4.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Fortuna Middle Fortuna | 5.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Fortuna Union High Fortuna | 5.6 mi | 3.9 |
| East High (Continuation) Fortuna | 5.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Linell K. Walker Elementary Fortuna | 6.1 mi | 5.0 |
| New Life Christian Fortuna | 6.2 mi | — |
| Eel River Community Eureka | 6.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Redwood Preparatory Charter Fortuna | 6.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Toddy Thomas Middle Fortuna | 6.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Norman G. Ambrosini Elementary Fortuna | 6.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Academy of the Redwoods Fortuna | 8.6 mi | 6.2 |
| South Bay Elementary Eureka | 10.7 mi | 6.1 |
| South Bay Charter Eureka | 10.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Hydesville Elementary Hydesville | 9.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Eagle Prairie Elementary Rio Dell | 10.0 mi | 9.3 |
| Monument Middle Rio Dell | 10.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Koinonia Academy PSP Hydesville | 9.5 mi | — |
| Ridgewood Elementary Eureka | 11.8 mi | 6.5 |
| NORTH COAST MENNONITE Hydesville | 10.0 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Collegiate Charter High School of Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 7.3 |
| Glacier High School Charter Oakhurst, CA | 7.3 |
| Hayfork High Hayfork, CA | 7.3 |
| Leadership Military Academy Moreno Valley, CA | 7.3 |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata, CA | 7.3 |
| Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano Covina, CA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ferndale High
What grades does Ferndale High serve?
Ferndale High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Ferndale High?
Ferndale High has an enrollment of approximately 133 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ferndale High?
The student-teacher ratio at Ferndale High is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ferndale High rank in CA?
Ferndale High is ranked #2776 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ferndale High's MySchoolScout rating?
Ferndale High has a composite rating of 7.2 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ferndale High has 22.4% math proficiency and 44.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ferndale High a charter school?
No, Ferndale High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ferndale High a Title I school?
No, Ferndale High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ferndale High?
59.4% of students at Ferndale High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 133
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Humboldt County
- Phone
- (707) 786-5900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ferndale Unified- District Enrollment
- 482
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,763
- District Rank
- #2 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.
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