Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.7%
Math vs. State Avg-6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,212

Pacific Union Elementary — Students at Pacific Union Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 48.3%
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
40%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
39.1%
ELA
47.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in CA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

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.

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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.