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
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Mendocino K-8 — Students at Mendocino K-8 score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 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: 7.4/10.
How Mendocino K-8 Compares
See how Mendocino K-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 36.78% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 53.45% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (707) 937-0515
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mendocino Unified- District Enrollment
- 436
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,262
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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.
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