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Average

#3452 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 36% in state

Laurel Tree Charter

School · Laurel Tree Charter District

4555 Valley West Blvd., Arcata, CA 95521

Charter

Enrollment

173

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Arcata

#6 of 11

public schools

California schools

#69 of 475

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Laurel Tree Charter

Laurel Tree Charter is a unique educational institution located in Arcata, California. This charter school serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and boasts an enrollment of 173 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, ensuring personalized attention for each child. The dedicated faculty consists of 14 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to provide a comprehensive education.

While Laurel Tree Charter holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks 65th percentile among California schools with an academic score of 6.0/10, there is room for growth in the areas of ELA/Reading (47% proficient or above) and Math (32% proficient or above). The school focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages continuous improvement and development. Laurel Tree Charter is situated in a remote area, offering students a peaceful setting conducive to focused study and community engagement.

This location provides a close-knit atmosphere where educators know each student well and can offer tailored support.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 173 students, Laurel Tree Charter 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.

Laurel Tree Charter 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.8%
Math vs. State Avg-16.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,303

Laurel Tree Charter — Students at Laurel Tree Charter score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.7%
School
State
36.1%
ELA Proficiency 46.9%
School
State
46.1%

Based on 16 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
37%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2024
Math
30.4%
ELA
46.5%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Laurel Tree Charter Compares

See how Laurel Tree Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in CA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

4555 Valley West Blvd., Arcata, CA 95521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laurel Tree Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. Union Street Charter (rated 9.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jacoby Creek (rated 7.5/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Bayside), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Arcata, see our Arcata schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata 0.2 mi
Pacific Union Elementary Arcata 0.6 mi 7.0
Arcata Elementary Arcata 1.2 mi 5.1
Arcata High Arcata 1.6 mi 5.8
Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata 1.6 mi 7.0
Six Rivers Charter High Arcata 1.6 mi 5.1
Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata 1.6 mi 5.0
MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata 1.6 mi
Coastal Grove Charter Arcata 1.7 mi 8.0
ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata 1.8 mi 4.3
Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata 2.0 mi 7.3
Union Street Charter Arcata 2.5 mi 9.5
Sunny Brae Middle Arcata 3.0 mi 5.6
Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville 3.2 mi
McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville 3.4 mi 5.4
Jacoby Creek Bayside 3.7 mi 7.5
Morris Elementary Mckinleyville 3.7 mi 6.1
MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside 4.1 mi
Mistwood Educational Center Bayside 4.1 mi
McKinleyville High Mckinleyville 4.1 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,324

Median Home Value

$478,600

Median Rent

$1,300/mo

Population

21,684

College Educated

45%

Homeownership

36.7%

Avg Commute

18.3 min

Poverty Rate

26.7%

Median Age

29.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Laurel Tree Charter has a median household income of $54,324. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $478,600, with a median rent of $1,300/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
ARMENIAN MESROBIAN SCHOOL Pico Rivera, CA 6.9
BRIGHTWORKS San Francisco, CA 6.9
Crossroads Charter Academy Armona, CA 6.9
Evergreen Institute of Excellence Cottonwood, CA 6.9
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL Long Beach, CA 6.9
OLIVE CREST ACADEMY Orange, CA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laurel Tree Charter

What grades does Laurel Tree Charter serve?

Laurel Tree Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Laurel Tree Charter?

Laurel Tree Charter has an enrollment of approximately 173 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel Tree Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Laurel Tree Charter is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laurel Tree Charter rank in CA?

Laurel Tree Charter is ranked #3452 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Laurel Tree Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Laurel Tree Charter has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Laurel Tree Charter?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurel Tree Charter has 31.7% math proficiency and 46.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Laurel Tree Charter a charter school?

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

Is Laurel Tree Charter a Title I school?

No, Laurel Tree Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laurel Tree Charter?

54.9% of students at Laurel Tree Charter 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 (2,282/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Humboldt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Laurel Tree Charter District
District Enrollment
173
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,785
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 methodology

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