Very Good
#3253 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 34% in state
Pacific Coast High (continuation)
High School · Northern Humboldt Union High
1720 M St., Arcata, CA 95521
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arcata
#4 of 11
public schools
California high schools
#611 of 1,892
In district
#1 of 5
Northern Humboldt Union High
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Pacific Coast High (continuation)
Pacific Coast High (Continuation) is an alternative high school located in Arcata, California, serving students from ninth to twelfth grade. With a student body of 40 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, the school offers personalized attention and support to help each student succeed. The school has two full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment for students who may need additional academic or social-emotional support.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Pacific Coast High scores a 5.1 out of 10, reflecting areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth. The state ranking places it at #5197 out of 9566 schools in California, indicating there are opportunities for improvement academically. In terms of proficiency rates, only 28% of students meet or exceed standards in ELA/reading, while 18% do so in math.
Located in a remote town setting, Pacific Coast High is an integral part of the Arcata community, offering a supportive and tailored educational experience for its diverse student population.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 40 students, Pacific Coast 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 Pacific Coast 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Pacific Coast High (continuation) — Students at Pacific Coast High (continuation) score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Pacific Coast High (continuation) Compares
See how Pacific Coast High (continuation) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
1720 M St., Arcata, CA 95521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pacific Coast High (continuation) may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Arcata High (rated 5.8/10), a more accessible option. Additionally, Six Rivers Charter High (rated 5.1/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Arcata, see our Arcata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arcata High Arcata | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Six Rivers Charter High Arcata | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Arcata Elementary Arcata | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata | 0.6 mi | — |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Union Street Charter Arcata | 1.1 mi | 9.5 |
| Pacific Union Elementary Arcata | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Laurel Tree Charter Arcata | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata | 1.8 mi | — |
| Sunny Brae Middle Arcata | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Jacoby Creek Bayside | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside | 2.7 mi | — |
| Mistwood Educational Center Bayside | 2.7 mi | — |
| HUMBOLDT BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bayside | 3.4 mi | — |
| Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville | 4.6 mi | — |
| McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville | 4.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Morris Elementary Mckinleyville | 5.2 mi | 6.1 |
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 Pacific Coast 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 |
|---|---|
| ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara, CA | 7.0 |
| FUSION ACADEMY SLB: SOLANA BEACH Solana Beach, CA | 7.0 |
| Ridgeview High (Continuation) Paradise, CA | 7.0 |
| THE DISCOVERY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Aliso Viejo, CA | 7.0 |
| Youth Opportunities Unlimited Los Angeles, CA | 7.0 |
| Alta Vista Academy Chula Vista, CA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pacific Coast High (continuation)
What grades does Pacific Coast High (continuation) serve?
Pacific Coast High (continuation) serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Pacific Coast High (continuation)?
Pacific Coast High (continuation) has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pacific Coast High (continuation)?
The student-teacher ratio at Pacific Coast High (continuation) is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pacific Coast High (continuation) rank in CA?
Pacific Coast High (continuation) is ranked #3253 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pacific Coast High (continuation)'s MySchoolScout rating?
Pacific Coast High (continuation) has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Pacific Coast High (continuation)?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pacific Coast High (continuation) has 17.5% math proficiency and 27.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pacific Coast High (continuation) a charter school?
No, Pacific Coast High (continuation) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pacific Coast High (continuation) a Title I school?
No, Pacific Coast High (continuation) is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pacific Coast High (continuation)?
70.0% of students at Pacific Coast 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 40
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Humboldt County
- Phone
- (707) 822-2443
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northern Humboldt Union High- District Enrollment
- 1,756
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,026
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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