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Average

#6213 of 9,539 schools in CA

Freshwater Elementary

Elementary School · Freshwater Elementary

75 Greenwood Heights Dr., Eureka, CA 95503

Enrollment

265

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#6,213 of 9,539

In Eureka

#16 of 24

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Freshwater Elementary

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Freshwater Elementary

5.6/10

Elementary School in Eureka · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Freshwater Charter Middle

7.5/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Garfield Elementary

9.4/10

2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Freshwater Elementary

Freshwater Elementary is a public elementary school in Eureka, CA, part of Freshwater Elementary. Freshwater Elementary serves approximately 265 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Freshwater Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #6,213 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Freshwater Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below CA schools
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Freshwater Elementary runs 22.1:1 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.

Freshwater Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,368
Chronic Absenteeism21.5%

Freshwater Elementary — Students at Freshwater Elementary score 49% 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

45.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 61.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
39.5%
ELA
60%
2024
Math
46.1%
ELA
51.5%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Freshwater Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in CA
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
5.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.5%

Location

75 Greenwood Heights Dr., Eureka, CA 95503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Freshwater Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Street Charter (rated 9.8/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garfield Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jacoby Creek (rated 7.9/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Bayside), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Eureka, see our Eureka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Freshwater Charter Middle Eureka 0.0 mi 7.5
Garfield Elementary Eureka 2.0 mi 9.4
HUMBOLDT BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bayside 3.0 mi
GOSPEL OUTREACH SCHOOL Eureka 2.7 mi
Lafayette Elementary Eureka 2.7 mi 5.1
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 3.9
Winship Middle Eureka 3.3 mi 6.5
Washington Elementary Eureka 3.2 mi 3.5
Jacoby Creek Bayside 4.3 mi 7.9
Cutten Elementary Eureka 3.5 mi 6.0
Catherine L. Zane Middle Eureka 3.4 mi 4.1
MISTWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Eureka 3.7 mi
Northern United - Humboldt Charter Eureka 3.9 mi 9.3
Eureka Community Eureka 3.8 mi 5.7
Sunny Brae Middle Arcata 5.0 mi 6.0
Eureka Senior High Eureka 4.0 mi 5.3
Union Street Charter Arcata 5.3 mi 9.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aliso Elementary Carpinteria, CA 5.6
Anderson Heights Elementary Anderson, CA 5.6
BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Redding, CA 5.6
CATHEDRAL OF ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL Stockton, CA 5.6
Carmela Elementary Whittier, CA 5.6
Creekside Early Learning Center Alpine, CA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Freshwater Elementary

What grades does Freshwater Elementary serve?

Freshwater Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Freshwater Elementary?

Freshwater Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 265 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Freshwater Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Freshwater Elementary is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Freshwater Elementary rank in CA?

Freshwater Elementary ranks #6,213 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Freshwater Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Freshwater Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Freshwater Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Freshwater Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Freshwater Elementary a charter school?

No, Freshwater Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Freshwater Elementary a Title I school?

No, Freshwater Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

45.3% of students at Freshwater 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Humboldt County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.5%

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

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