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Very Good

#2961 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 31% in state

Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary

Elementary School · Scotia Union Elementary

PO Box 217, Scotia, CA 95565

Enrollment

192

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#1,980 of 5,817

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary

Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary serves 192 students in grades K-8 in the small community of Scotia, California. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1, allowing for reasonably personalized attention in this rural setting.

The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 76th percentile statewide at #2277 out of 9566 California schools. Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 45% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 43% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. This academic score of 6.9 out of 10 reflects steady educational progress for the student body.

As a K-8 elementary school, Stanwood A. Murphy provides continuity for families throughout their children's foundational years, eliminating the typical middle school transition. The school serves a community where the median household income is $86,406, though nearly one in seven residents lives below the poverty line, creating a economically diverse student population.

Located in Scotia, a small Humboldt County community of 860 residents surrounded by California's towering redwood forests, the school operates in a close-knit rural environment where education is deeply connected to the natural beauty and logging heritage of the region.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 192 students, Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary 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.

Located in a rural area, Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.8%
Math vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,449

Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary — Students at Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 43.4%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 45.2%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
43.1%
ELA
45.4%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary Compares

See how Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO Box 217, Scotia, CA 95565

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eagle Prairie Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Rio Dell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ferndale Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Ferndale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Redwood Preparatory Charter (rated 7.7/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Fortuna), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Scotia, see our Scotia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Monument Middle Rio Dell 1.4 mi 4.8
Eagle Prairie Elementary Rio Dell 1.4 mi 9.3
Koinonia Academy PSP Hydesville 4.4 mi
NORTH COAST MENNONITE Hydesville 4.4 mi 3.6
Hydesville Elementary Hydesville 4.7 mi 6.6
Cuddeback Elementary Carlotta 4.9 mi 7.4
Toddy Thomas Middle Fortuna 6.3 mi 4.3
Redwood Preparatory Charter Fortuna 6.5 mi 7.7
New Life Christian Fortuna 6.7 mi
Norman G. Ambrosini Elementary Fortuna 7.0 mi 6.7
Eel River Community Eureka 7.7 mi 4.5
Linell K. Walker Elementary Fortuna 7.8 mi 5.0
East High (Continuation) Fortuna 8.3 mi 7.5
Fortuna Union High Fortuna 8.3 mi 3.9
Fortuna Middle Fortuna 8.5 mi 6.5
Ferndale High Ferndale 11.0 mi 7.2
Ferndale Elementary Ferndale 11.0 mi 8.8
Loleta Elementary Loleta 12.8 mi 7.1
Academy of the Redwoods Fortuna 15.8 mi 6.2
Agnes J. Johnson Charter Weott 14.5 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95565 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,281

Median Home Value

$350,000

Median Rent

$1,208/mo

Population

891

College Educated

24.5%

Homeownership

49.8%

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary has a median household income of $88,281. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $350,000, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% 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
Alvina Elementary Charter Caruthers, CA 7.2
Anatola Avenue Elementary Lake Balboa, CA 7.2
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sierra Madre, CA 7.2
Barron Park Elementary Palo Alto, CA 7.2
CATHEDRAL CHAPEL SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 7.2
Ducor Union Elementary Ducor, CA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary

What grades does Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary serve?

Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary?

Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 192 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary rank in CA?

Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary is ranked #2961 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary has 43.4% math proficiency and 45.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary a charter school?

No, Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary a Title I school?

No, Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary?

76.0% of students at Stanwood A. Murphy 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

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (580/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
192
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Humboldt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Scotia Union Elementary
District Enrollment
192
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,489
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

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