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Below Average

#8189 of 9,533 schools in CA

Freshwater Charter Middle

Middle School · Freshwater Elementary

75 Greenwood Heights Dr., Eureka, CA 95503

Charter

Enrollment

48

Student-Teacher

24:1

Score

4.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Eureka

#22 of 24

public schools

California middle schools

#1,210 of 1,349

In district

#2 of 2

Freshwater Elementary

Equity

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Freshwater Charter Middle

Freshwater Charter Middle is a charter school located in Eureka, California, nestled in a rural area near the town. The school serves students in grades 7 and 8 with an enrollment of just 48 students, allowing for a personalized educational experience. With a student-teacher ratio of 24:1 and two full-time equivalent teachers, Freshwater Charter Middle offers small class sizes that foster close relationships between educators and students.

Academically, the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it in the 53rd percentile among California schools. Math proficiency stands at 50% for students meeting or exceeding standards, while ELA/Reading proficiency is slightly higher at 56%. These scores suggest there is room for academic growth and improvement.

Freshwater Charter Middle is a community-focused school that prioritizes student development in its rural setting near Eureka.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 48 students, Freshwater Charter Middle 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Freshwater Charter Middle is 24:1, 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.

Freshwater Charter Middle is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.1%
Math vs. State Avg+17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.8 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,407

Freshwater Charter Middle — Students at Freshwater Charter Middle score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.4%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 55.7%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2024
Math
51%
ELA
49.8%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Freshwater Charter Middle Compares

See how Freshwater Charter Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
14th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

75 Greenwood Heights Dr., Eureka, CA 95503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Freshwater Charter Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Catherine L. Zane Middle (rated 6.9/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Winship Middle (rated 6.5/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sunny Brae Middle (rated 5.6/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Eureka, see our Eureka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Freshwater Elementary Eureka 0.0 mi 5.9
Garfield Elementary Eureka 2.0 mi 8.1
HUMBOLDT BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bayside 3.0 mi
GOSPEL OUTREACH SCHOOL Eureka 2.7 mi
Lafayette Elementary Eureka 2.7 mi 7.6
Mistwood Educational Center Bayside 4.0 mi
MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside 4.0 mi
Humboldt County Office of Education Juvenile Hall Court Eureka 3.1 mi
Glen Paul Eureka 3.2 mi 6.3
Winship Middle Eureka 3.3 mi 6.5
Washington Elementary Eureka 3.2 mi 5.7
Jacoby Creek Bayside 4.3 mi 7.5
Cutten Elementary Eureka 3.5 mi 7.3
Catherine L. Zane Middle Eureka 3.4 mi 6.9
MISTWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Eureka 3.7 mi
Northern United - Humboldt Charter Eureka 3.9 mi 8.2
Eureka Community Eureka 3.8 mi 6.1
Sunny Brae Middle Arcata 5.0 mi 5.6
Eureka Senior High Eureka 4.0 mi 4.6
Union Street Charter Arcata 5.3 mi 9.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,708

Median Home Value

$411,500

Median Rent

$1,485/mo

Population

24,442

College Educated

29.4%

Homeownership

69.7%

Avg Commute

16.8 min

Poverty Rate

15.8%

Median Age

44.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Freshwater Charter Middle has a median household income of $76,708. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $411,500, with a median rent of $1,485/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING ACADEMY San Jose, CA 4.4
BISHOP ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bishop, CA 4.2
LOOMIS GATEWAY ACADEMY Loomis, CA 5.3
THE BURKARD SCHOOL San Mateo, CA 5.4
6900 WEST 4TH STREET Sacramento, CA 3.6
MIT Griffin Academy Middle Vallejo, CA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Freshwater Charter Middle

What grades does Freshwater Charter Middle serve?

Freshwater Charter Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Freshwater Charter Middle?

Freshwater Charter Middle has an enrollment of approximately 48 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Freshwater Charter Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Freshwater Charter Middle is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Freshwater Charter Middle rank in CA?

Freshwater Charter Middle is ranked #8189 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Freshwater Charter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Freshwater Charter Middle has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Freshwater Charter Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Freshwater Charter Middle has 50.4% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Freshwater Charter Middle a charter school?

Yes, Freshwater Charter Middle is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Freshwater Charter Middle a Title I school?

No, Freshwater Charter Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Freshwater Charter Middle?

45.8% of students at Freshwater Charter Middle 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

City Safety
High (4,301/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Humboldt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Freshwater Elementary
District Enrollment
313
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,368
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

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