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Very Good

#2428 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 25% 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

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#2,428 of 9,539

In Arcata

#3 of 11

public schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Laurel Tree Charter

7.5/10

School in Arcata · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Six Rivers Montessori

Nearby

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

Pacific Union Elementary

7.2/10

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

About Laurel Tree Charter

Laurel Tree Charter is a public school in Arcata, CA, part of Laurel Tree Charter District. Laurel Tree Charter serves approximately 173 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Laurel Tree Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,428 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Laurel Tree Charter show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts above CA schools
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • CA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 173 students, Laurel Tree Charter is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Laurel Tree Charter is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-16.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,785
Chronic Absenteeism26%

Laurel Tree Charter — Students at Laurel Tree Charter score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

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 31.9% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
36.1% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 46.5% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
46.1% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 22 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2018
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
40%
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: 5.9/10.

How Laurel Tree Charter Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
75th percentile in CA
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.0%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jacoby Creek (rated 7.9/10, 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 7.2
Arcata Elementary Arcata 1.2 mi 6.3
Arcata High Arcata 1.6 mi 6.6
Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata 1.6 mi 6.2
Six Rivers Charter High Arcata 1.6 mi 5.7
Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata 1.6 mi 4.7
MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata 1.6 mi
Coastal Grove Charter Arcata 1.7 mi 8.8
ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata 1.8 mi 4.3
Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata 2.0 mi 7.4
Union Street Charter Arcata 2.5 mi 9.8
Sunny Brae Middle Arcata 3.0 mi 6.0
Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville 3.2 mi
McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville 3.4 mi 3.7
Jacoby Creek Bayside 3.7 mi 7.9
Morris Elementary Mckinleyville 3.7 mi 4.9
MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside 4.1 mi
Mistwood Educational Center Bayside 4.1 mi
McKinleyville High Mckinleyville 4.1 mi 5.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Buckeye Union Mandarin Immersion Charter El Dorado Hills, CA 7.5
Denair Charter Academy Denair, CA 7.5
JCS - Pine Valley Pine Valley, CA 7.5
LOS ALTOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Los Altos Hills, CA 7.5
MANZANITA SCHOOL AND INSTITUTE Topanga, CA 7.5
MOUNT MADONNA SCHOOL Watsonville, CA 7.5

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 ranks #2,428 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Laurel Tree Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Laurel Tree Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Laurel Tree Charter?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Laurel Tree Charter has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

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

Walk Score
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
65 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.0%
4-Year Graduation
50%+

District

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

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