Skip to main content

Average

#6754 of 9,533 schools in CA

Mad River High (continuation)

High School · Northern Humboldt Union High

1300 Murray Rd., Mckinleyville, CA 95521

Enrollment

48

Student-Teacher

24:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mckinleyville

#5 of 6

public schools

California high schools

#1,452 of 1,892

In district

#4 of 5

Northern Humboldt Union High

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Mad River High (continuation)

Mad River High, a continuation school in McKinleyville, California, serves students in grades 9 through 12. With an enrollment of just 48 students and a student-teacher ratio of 24:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment. Located on Murray Road, it is part of Humboldt County and operates as an alternative high school with two full-time equivalent teachers.

Mad River High’s MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 places it in the 9th percentile among California schools, reflecting areas for improvement in academic performance. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 10% and Math proficiency stands at 8%, indicating a focus on student development rather than standardized test scores. The school’s setting in a remote town means students benefit from smaller class sizes and individualized attention, which can be particularly beneficial for those who thrive in an alternative educational environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 48 students, Mad River High (continuation) 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 Mad River High (continuation) 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Mad River High (continuation) is 24:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10.7%
Math vs. State Avg-20.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-45.2 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,321

Mad River High (continuation) — Students at Mad River High (continuation) score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 8.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 10.5%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
7.4%
ELA
10.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How Mad River High (continuation) Compares

See how Mad River High (continuation) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in CA
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

1300 Murray Rd., Mckinleyville, CA 95521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mad River High (continuation) may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy (rated 7.3/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pacific Coast High (Continuation) (rated 7.0/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arcata High (rated 5.8/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Arcata), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mckinleyville, see our Mckinleyville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.1 mi
School Distance Rating
McKinleyville High Mckinleyville 0.0 mi 5.5
Morris Elementary Mckinleyville 0.4 mi 6.1
McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville 0.8 mi 5.4
Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville 0.9 mi
Dow's Prairie Elementary Mckinleyville 1.6 mi 6.9
Laurel Tree Charter Arcata 4.1 mi 6.9
SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata 4.0 mi
Pacific Union Elementary Arcata 4.2 mi 7.0
Fieldbrook Elementary Mckinleyville 3.9 mi 7.7
Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata 5.2 mi 5.0
Arcata Elementary Arcata 5.2 mi 5.1
MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata 5.3 mi
Coastal Grove Charter Arcata 5.4 mi 8.0
Arcata High Arcata 5.5 mi 5.8
Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata 5.5 mi 7.0
Six Rivers Charter High Arcata 5.5 mi 5.1
Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata 5.8 mi 7.3
ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata 5.9 mi 4.3
Union Street Charter Arcata 6.6 mi 9.5
Sunny Brae Middle Arcata 7.1 mi 5.6

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 Mad River High (continuation) 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
BNOS ESTHER H.S. Los Angeles, CA 5.4
Edward P. Duplex Wheatland, CA 5.4
Mt. Lukens Continuation Tujunga, CA 5.4
Ripperdan Community Day Madera, CA 5.4
Princeton High Princeton, CA 5.5
Ellington (Duke) High (Continuation) Los Angeles, CA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mad River High (continuation)

What grades does Mad River High (continuation) serve?

Mad River High (continuation) serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mad River High (continuation)?

Mad River High (continuation) has an enrollment of approximately 48 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mad River High (continuation)?

The student-teacher ratio at Mad River High (continuation) is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mad River High (continuation) rank in CA?

Mad River High (continuation) is ranked #6754 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Mad River High (continuation)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Mad River High (continuation) has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Mad River High (continuation)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mad River High (continuation) has 8.3% math proficiency and 10.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mad River High (continuation) a charter school?

No, Mad River High (continuation) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mad River High (continuation) a Title I school?

No, Mad River High (continuation) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mad River High (continuation)?

83.3% of students at Mad River High (continuation) 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

County Safety
Average (580/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.3%
Type
alternative
Setting
Remote Town
County
Humboldt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Northern Humboldt Union High
District Enrollment
1,756
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,026
District Rank
#4 of 5

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.