Average
#6380 of 9,533 schools in CA
Sunny Brae Middle
Middle School · Arcata Elementary
1430 Buttermilk Ln., Arcata, CA 95521
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arcata
#8 of 11
public schools
California middle schools
#940 of 1,349
In district
#1 of 2
Arcata Elementary
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Sunny Brae Middle
Sunny Brae Middle, located in the remote town of Arcata, California, serves students in grades six through eight. With a student body of 240 and a dedicated team of full-time equivalent teachers, the school fosters an environment where each student receives individual attention with a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1. Sunny Brae Middle has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking at #4621 out of 9566 schools in California (52nd percentile).
Academically, the school shows that 44% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 34% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas for growth but also highlight the school's focus on student development and support. Sunny Brae Middle is situated in a community where close ties among residents create a nurturing environment for young adolescents to thrive.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sunny Brae Middle — Students at Sunny Brae Middle score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.7/10.
How Sunny Brae Middle Compares
See how Sunny Brae Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 32.85% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 38.05% (2024).
Location
1430 Buttermilk Ln., Arcata, CA 95521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunny Brae Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Union Street Charter (rated 9.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jacoby Creek (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Bayside), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Arcata, see our Arcata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jacoby Creek Bayside | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Union Street Charter Arcata | 0.6 mi | 9.5 |
| MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside | 1.1 mi | — |
| Mistwood Educational Center Bayside | 1.1 mi | — |
| ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Arcata High Arcata | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Six Rivers Charter High Arcata | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| HUMBOLDT BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bayside | 2.0 mi | — |
| Arcata Elementary Arcata | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata | 2.3 mi | — |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Laurel Tree Charter Arcata | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Pacific Union Elementary Arcata | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata | 3.1 mi | — |
| Freshwater Elementary Eureka | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Freshwater Charter Middle Eureka | 5.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Blue Lake Union Elementary Blue Lake | 4.5 mi | 5.4 |
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 Sunny Brae Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Mammoth Middle Mammoth Lakes, CA | 5.6 |
| Williams Upper Elementary Williams, CA | 5.6 |
| Garvey/Allen Visual & Performing Arts Academy for STEM Moreno Valley, CA | 5.5 |
| KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy San Diego, CA | 5.5 |
| PREPA TEC - Los Angeles Walnut Park, CA | 5.7 |
| STRATFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunny Brae Middle
What grades does Sunny Brae Middle serve?
Sunny Brae Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Sunny Brae Middle?
Sunny Brae Middle has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunny Brae Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunny Brae Middle is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunny Brae Middle rank in CA?
Sunny Brae Middle is ranked #6380 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sunny Brae Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunny Brae Middle has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Sunny Brae Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunny Brae Middle has 33.6% math proficiency and 44.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunny Brae Middle a charter school?
No, Sunny Brae Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunny Brae Middle a Title I school?
No, Sunny Brae Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunny Brae Middle?
60.4% of students at Sunny Brae Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 240
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Humboldt County
- Phone
- (707) 822-5988
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arcata Elementary- District Enrollment
- 493
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $41,678
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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