Average
#5391 of 9,539 schools in CA
Sunny Brae Middle
Middle School · Arcata Elementary
1430 Buttermilk Ln., Arcata, CA 95521
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,391 of 9,539
In Arcata
#9 of 11
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
Arcata Elementary
School environment
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Sunny Brae Middle
Middle School in Arcata · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jacoby Creek
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Union Street Charter
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sunny Brae Middle
Sunny Brae Middle is a public middle school in Arcata, CA, part of Arcata Elementary. Sunny Brae Middle serves approximately 240 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunny Brae Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #5,391 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Sunny Brae Middle show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Sunny Brae Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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: 40%).
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 34 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: 3.7/10.
How Sunny Brae Middle Compares
See how Sunny Brae Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 9.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jacoby Creek (rated 7.9/10, 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 | 7.9 |
| Union Street Charter Arcata | 0.6 mi | 9.8 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Six Rivers Charter High Arcata | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| HUMBOLDT BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bayside | 2.0 mi | — |
| Arcata Elementary Arcata | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata | 2.2 mi | 8.8 |
| MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata | 2.3 mi | — |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Laurel Tree Charter Arcata | 3.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Pacific Union Elementary Arcata | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata | 3.1 mi | — |
| Freshwater Elementary Eureka | 5.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Freshwater Charter Middle Eureka | 5.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Blue Lake Union Elementary Blue Lake | 4.5 mi | 6.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bill E. Young Jr. Middle Calipatria, CA | 6.0 |
| Lucerne Valley Middle Lucerne Valley, CA | 6.0 |
| Sunrise Middle San Jose, CA | 6.0 |
| Visitacion Valley Middle San Francisco, CA | 6.0 |
| High Tech LA Middle Van Nuys, CA | 6.1 |
| High Tech Middle Chula Vista San Diego, CA | 5.9 |
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 ranks #5,391 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Sunny Brae Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunny Brae Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Sunny Brae Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunny Brae Middle has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.9%
- Phone
- (707) 822-5988
Resources & Links
District
Arcata Elementary- District Enrollment
- 493
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $41,678
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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