Average
#5764 of 9,533 schools in CA
Freshwater Elementary
Elementary School · Freshwater Elementary
75 Greenwood Heights Dr., Eureka, CA 95503
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Eureka
#15 of 24
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,475 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 2
Freshwater Elementary
Equity
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Freshwater Elementary
Freshwater Elementary is a welcoming rural school located in Eureka, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 265 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1 with 12 full-time equivalent teachers. Freshwater Elementary focuses on providing a nurturing environment for its young learners, where the emphasis is on social development alongside academic achievement.
The school's MySchoolScout rating reflects that there is room for improvement in academic performance, ranking at 6.2 out of 10 overall and placing it at #3566 among California’s schools. In terms of proficiency rates, 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 44% meet the standard in Math. Despite these numbers, Freshwater Elementary is dedicated to fostering a supportive educational environment that helps each student grow and develop.
The school sits in a rural setting near Eureka, offering a peaceful backdrop for learning amidst nature. This setting provides students with unique opportunities to connect their studies with real-world experiences in their local community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Freshwater Elementary is 22.1:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Freshwater 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
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Freshwater Elementary — Students at Freshwater Elementary score 49% proficient, which is below 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 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Freshwater Elementary Compares
See how Freshwater Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 46.81% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 51.06% (2024).
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 9.5/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garfield Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lafayette Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.7 miles away), 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 | 4.6 |
| 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 Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Booker T. Washington Elementary El Centro, CA | 5.9 |
| Buchanan Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 5.9 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Brea, CA | 5.9 |
| Dr. Lewis Dolphin Stallworth Sr. Charter Stockton, CA | 5.9 |
| El Camino Elementary Santa Barbara, CA | 5.9 |
| GEORGE MCCANN MEMORIAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Visalia, CA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #5764 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Freshwater Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Freshwater Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Freshwater Elementary has 44.2% math proficiency and 53.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 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
- Phone
- (707) 442-2969
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Freshwater Elementary- District Enrollment
- 313
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,368
- 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
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