Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.6Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.6%
Math vs. State Avg-3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,689

Ferndale High — Students at Ferndale High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 44.0%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2024
Math
25%
ELA
53.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
71th percentile in CA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,154/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ferndale). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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.