Very Good
#3360 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 35% in state
Pacific Union Elementary
Elementary School · Pacific Union Elementary
3001 Janes Rd., Arcata, CA 95521
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arcata
#5 of 11
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,202 of 5,817
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Pacific Union Elementary
Pacific Union Elementary serves 529 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Arcata, California. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for personalized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 74th percentile among California elementary schools at #2535 out of 9,566 schools statewide.
Students show steady progress in core subjects, with 48% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 39% reach proficiency in mathematics, indicating opportunities for continued growth in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Pacific Union Elementary draws families from a diverse community where 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a strong value for education. The surrounding area has a median household income of $47,764, with homes valued at a median of $441,900.
While the community faces economic challenges with a 31.5% poverty rate, this creates opportunities for the school to serve families from varied backgrounds and provide crucial educational support. Located on Janes Road in this remote coastal town of Humboldt County, Pacific Union Elementary operates within a tight-knit community where the natural beauty of Northern California provides a unique backdrop for learning and growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Pacific Union Elementary — Students at Pacific Union Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.1%
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: 7.0/10.
How Pacific Union Elementary Compares
See how Pacific Union Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 39.22% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 48.66% (2024).
Location
3001 Janes Rd., Arcata, CA 95521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pacific Union Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Street Charter (rated 9.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jacoby Creek (rated 7.5/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Bayside), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Arcata, see our Arcata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel Tree Charter Arcata | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata | 0.8 mi | — |
| Arcata Elementary Arcata | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata | 1.2 mi | — |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Arcata High Arcata | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Six Rivers Charter High Arcata | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Union Street Charter Arcata | 2.4 mi | 9.5 |
| Sunny Brae Middle Arcata | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville | 3.3 mi | — |
| McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Jacoby Creek Bayside | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Morris Elementary Mckinleyville | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside | 4.0 mi | — |
| Mistwood Educational Center Bayside | 4.0 mi | — |
| McKinleyville High Mckinleyville | 4.2 mi | 5.5 |
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 Union Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Academy of Technology & Leadership at Saticoy Ventura, CA | 7.0 |
| Accelerated Charter Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.0 |
| American Indian Public Charter School II Oakland, CA | 7.0 |
| Arroyo Elementary Pomona, CA | 7.0 |
| Bayside STEAM Academy Imperial Beach, CA | 7.0 |
| Bear Valley Elementary Moreno Valley, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pacific Union Elementary
What grades does Pacific Union Elementary serve?
Pacific Union Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Pacific Union Elementary?
Pacific Union Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 529 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pacific Union Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pacific Union Elementary is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pacific Union Elementary rank in CA?
Pacific Union Elementary is ranked #3360 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pacific Union Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pacific Union Elementary 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 Union Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pacific Union Elementary has 39.5% math proficiency and 48.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pacific Union Elementary a charter school?
No, Pacific Union Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pacific Union Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pacific Union Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pacific Union Elementary?
57.1% of students at Pacific Union Elementary 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
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 529
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Humboldt County
- Phone
- (707) 822-4619
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pacific Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 530
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,205
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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