Very Good
#2869 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 30% in state
Happy Camp Union Elementary
Elementary School · Happy Camp Union Elementary
PO Box 467, Happy Camp, CA 96039
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Happy Camp
#2 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,923 of 5,817
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Happy Camp Union Elementary
Happy Camp Union Elementary is a small rural school located in Happy Camp, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 115 students and employs six full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of about 19 to 1. Despite its remote setting, the school aims to provide a nurturing educational environment for its diverse group of learners.
Happy Camp Union Elementary currently ranks in the 34th percentile among California schools, with an academic score of 1.8 out of 10 and MySchoolScout Rating of 4.4 out of 10. Test scores show that 19% of students are proficient or above in math, while 13% are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading. While these figures highlight areas for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and growth within its unique rural context.
Happy Camp Union Elementary is situated in a remote part of Siskiyou County, surrounded by natural beauty and small-town charm. The tight-knit community supports a close-knit educational experience where every child knows their teachers personally.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 115 students, Happy Camp Union Elementary 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.
While current test scores at Happy Camp Union Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Happy Camp Union 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Happy Camp Union Elementary — Students at Happy Camp Union Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 9.1/10.
How Happy Camp Union Elementary Compares
See how Happy Camp Union Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 17.46% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 11.11% (2024).
Location
PO Box 467, Happy Camp, CA 96039
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Happy Camp Union Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orleans Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 35.2 miles away, in nearby Orleans), which scores notably higher. Another option is Etna Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 33.9 miles away, in nearby Etna), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ruch Outdoor Community School (rated 8.4/10, 34.8 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Happy Camp, see our Happy Camp schools guide .
Nearby Schools
19 within 42.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Camp High Happy Camp | 0.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Seiad Elementary Seiad Valley | 9.8 mi | — |
| THE DOME SCHOOL Cave Junction | 21.6 mi | — |
| MADRONE ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cave Junction | 25.4 mi | — |
| Klamath River Elementary Horse Creek | 20.9 mi | — |
| Junction Elementary Somes Bar | 28.5 mi | — |
| Williams Elementary School Williams | 29.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Illinois Valley High School Cave Junction | 29.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Lorna Byrne Middle School Cave Junction | 29.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Evergreen Elementary School Cave Junction | 29.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Treasure Stones Family Academy Fort Jones | 25.3 mi | — |
| Applegate Elementary School Applegate | 33.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Orleans Elementary Orleans | 35.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Ruch Outdoor Community School Jacksonville | 34.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Scott River High Etna | 33.6 mi | — |
| Etna Union High Etna | 33.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Etna Elementary Etna | 33.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Jack Norton Elementary Hoopa | 39.9 mi | — |
| Griffin Creek Elementary School Medford | 42.0 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96039 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,333
Median Home Value
$161,700
Median Rent
$685/mo
Population
647
College Educated
20.3%
Homeownership
57.2%
Poverty Rate
22.2%
Median Age
59.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Happy Camp Union Elementary has a median household income of $40,333. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,700, with a median rent of $685/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sierra Madre, CA | 7.2 |
| Burrel Elementary Riverdale, CA | 7.2 |
| Ducor Union Elementary Ducor, CA | 7.2 |
| EAST VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 7.2 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH SCHOOL Santa Monica, CA | 7.2 |
| MONTESSORI CENTER SCHOOL Goleta, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Happy Camp Union Elementary
What grades does Happy Camp Union Elementary serve?
Happy Camp Union Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Happy Camp Union Elementary?
Happy Camp Union Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 115 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Happy Camp Union Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Happy Camp Union Elementary is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Happy Camp Union Elementary rank in CA?
Happy Camp Union Elementary is ranked #2869 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Happy Camp Union Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Happy Camp Union Elementary 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 Happy Camp Union Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Happy Camp Union Elementary has 19.4% math proficiency and 13.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Happy Camp Union Elementary a charter school?
No, Happy Camp Union Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Happy Camp Union Elementary a Title I school?
No, Happy Camp Union Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Happy Camp Union Elementary?
67.0% of students at Happy Camp Union 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 115
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Siskiyou County
- Phone
- (530) 493-2267
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Happy Camp Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 115
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,421
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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