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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,321

Pacific Coast High (continuation) — Students at Pacific Coast High (continuation) score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in CA
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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