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Excellent

#1226 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 13% in state

Mendocino K-8

Elementary School · Mendocino Unified

PO Box 226, Mendocino, CA 95460

Enrollment

246

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mendocino

#2 of 2

public schools

California elementary schools

#885 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 2

Mendocino Unified

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Mendocino K-8

Mendocino K-8 serves 246 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in the scenic coastal community of Mendocino, California. This regular public elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a relatively intimate learning environment for its rural setting. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #2082 out of 9566 California schools.

Students show stronger performance in English Language Arts, with 53% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics presents an area for continued growth with 37% of students meeting proficiency standards. Mendocino K-8 draws from a community characterized by natural beauty and economic stability. The surrounding ZIP code of 95460 has a median household income of $75,037 and a low poverty rate of just 6%.

With 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the area reflects a well-educated population that values learning. Median home values of $619,200 indicate the desirability of this coastal region. The school operates within Mendocino County's rural landscape, where students benefit from small-town charm and the unique character of one of California's most picturesque coastal communities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Mendocino K-8 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 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.5%
Math vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,577

Mendocino K-8 — Students at Mendocino K-8 score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.9%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 52.2%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 18 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
45%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
37.1%
ELA
53.2%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Mendocino K-8 Compares

See how Mendocino K-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
87th percentile in CA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

PO Box 226, Mendocino, CA 95460

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mendocino K-8 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Redwood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Bragg), with a very similar rating. Another option is Three Rivers Charter (rated 7.2/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Bragg), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Dana Gray Elementary (rated 4.3/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Bragg), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mendocino, see our Mendocino schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Mendocino Sunrise High Mendocino 0.9 mi
Mendocino High Mendocino 0.9 mi 8.3
Mendocino Alternative Mendocino 1.0 mi
Noyo Hill Private School Fort Bragg 7.6 mi
Albion Elementary Albion 7.3 mi
Three Rivers Charter Fort Bragg 7.8 mi 7.2
Dana Gray Elementary Fort Bragg 8.8 mi 4.3
Fort Bragg High Fort Bragg 8.8 mi 5.6
Redwood Elementary Fort Bragg 8.8 mi 7.8
Noyo High (Continuation) Fort Bragg 8.9 mi
Lighthouse Community Day Fort Bragg 8.9 mi
Shelter Cove Fort Bragg 8.9 mi
San Jose Sanchez Del Rio Catholic School Fort Bragg 8.9 mi
Fort Bragg Middle Fort Bragg 9.5 mi 5.9
Montessori del Mar Community School Fort Bragg 11.2 mi
Comptche Elementary Comptche 10.6 mi
Manchester Elementary Manchester 24.2 mi
Sherwood Willits 22.9 mi 4.2
Point Arena High Point Arena 27.7 mi 5.1
South Coast Continuation Point Arena 27.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95460 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,478

Median Home Value

$666,200

Median Rent

$1,908/mo

Population

2,144

College Educated

40.4%

Homeownership

76.8%

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

60.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mendocino K-8 has a median household income of $68,478. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $666,200, with a median rent of $1,908/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Addison Elementary Palo Alto, CA 8.1
Aloha Elementary Lakewood, CA 8.1
Ballington Acad for the Arts and Scis - San Bernardino San Diego, CA 8.1
Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley, CA 8.1
Carl B. Munck Elementary Oakland, CA 8.1
Douglas City Elementary Douglas City, CA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mendocino K-8

What grades does Mendocino K-8 serve?

Mendocino K-8 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Mendocino K-8?

Mendocino K-8 has an enrollment of approximately 246 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mendocino K-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Mendocino K-8 is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mendocino K-8 rank in CA?

Mendocino K-8 is ranked #1226 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Mendocino K-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Mendocino K-8 has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Mendocino K-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mendocino K-8 has 36.9% math proficiency and 52.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mendocino K-8 a charter school?

No, Mendocino K-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mendocino K-8 a Title I school?

No, Mendocino K-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mendocino K-8?

68.3% of students at Mendocino K-8 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (305/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mendocino County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mendocino Unified
District Enrollment
436
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,262
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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