Average
#749 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 42% of private schools
The Waldorf School of Mendocino County
Elementary School
6280 3RD ST, Calpella, CA 95418
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
83
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
83
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#423 of 1,102
About The Waldorf School of Mendocino County
The Waldorf School of Mendocino County serves 83 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the remote town of Calpella. This regular public elementary school stands out with an exceptional MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #181 out of 1,790 schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile among California schools. With just 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressively low student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, allowing for highly personalized attention and individualized instruction.
This intimate learning environment enables teachers to know each student well and tailor their approach to different learning styles and needs. The school's strong academic reputation suggests a commitment to educational excellence, though it operates as a regular public school rather than following traditional Waldorf pedagogy despite its name. The small enrollment creates a close-knit school community where students can form meaningful relationships with both peers and educators across multiple grade levels.
Located on 3rd Street in Calpella, the school serves families in this remote Mendocino County community, providing quality education in a rural Northern California setting where students can experience the benefits of small-town learning while achieving academic success that ranks among the state's top performers.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 83 students, The Waldorf School of Mendocino County 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, The Waldorf School of Mendocino County offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, The Waldorf School of Mendocino County operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $11,504
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $11,249
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.98x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 93%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $961,504
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 83 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Schools in Calpella
No public schools found in Calpella for comparison. 1 other private school in the area.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
6280 3RD ST, Calpella, CA 95418
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Waldorf School of Mendocino County may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frank Zeek Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Ukiah), which scores notably higher. Another option is Yokayo Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Ukiah), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tree of Life Charter (rated 7.6/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Ukiah), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Calpella, see our Calpella schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| The Waldorf School of Mendocino County Calpella | 0.0 mi | — |
| Calpella Elementary Ukiah | 0.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Eagle Peak Middle Redwood Valley | 2.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Deep Valley Christian Redwood Valley | 2.3 mi | — |
| DEEP VALLEY CHRISTIAN Redwood Valley | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Tree of Life Charter Ukiah | 4.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Redwood Collegiate Academy Ukiah | 4.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Sequoia Career Academy Ukiah | 5.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Ukiah High Ukiah | 5.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Ukiah Independent Study Academy Ukiah | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Frank Zeek Elementary Ukiah | 5.1 mi | 8.6 |
| West Hills Juvenile Hall Court Ukiah | 5.2 mi | — |
| Mendocino County Community Ukiah | 5.2 mi | — |
| Orr Creek Ukiah | 5.2 mi | — |
| Pomolita Middle Ukiah | 5.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Oak Manor Elementary Ukiah | 6.0 mi | 4.6 |
| River Oak Charter Ukiah | 6.1 mi | 6.4 |
| South Valley High (Continuation) Ukiah | 6.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Yokayo Elementary Ukiah | 6.5 mi | 8.0 |
| ST MARY AT THE ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ukiah | 6.7 mi | 6.0 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AURORA SCHOOL Oakland, CA | 6.5 |
| CROSS & CROWN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rohnert Park, CA | 6.5 |
| Florida Street Discovery Center Banning, CA | 6.5 |
| ILAN RAMON DAY SCHOOL Agoura, CA | 6.5 |
| Merquin Elementary Hilmar, CA | 6.5 |
| Mission Valley Lompoc, CA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Waldorf School of Mendocino County
What grades does The Waldorf School of Mendocino County serve?
The Waldorf School of Mendocino County serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend The Waldorf School of Mendocino County?
The Waldorf School of Mendocino County has an enrollment of approximately 83 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Waldorf School of Mendocino County?
The student-teacher ratio at The Waldorf School of Mendocino County is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Waldorf School of Mendocino County rank in CA?
The Waldorf School of Mendocino County is ranked #749 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is The Waldorf School of Mendocino County's MySchoolScout rating?
The Waldorf School of Mendocino County has a composite rating of 6.5 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.
Is The Waldorf School of Mendocino County a private school?
Yes, The Waldorf School of Mendocino County is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Waldorf School of Mendocino County a religious school?
No, The Waldorf School of Mendocino County is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 83
- Gender Split
- 59% M / 41% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- MENDOCINO
- Phone
- (707) 485-8719
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.