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Very Good

#1595 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 17% in state

Trinidad Union

Elementary School · Trinidad Union Elementary

PO Box 3030, Trinidad, CA 95570

Enrollment

168

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#1,122 of 5,817

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Trinidad Union

Trinidad Union serves 168 students in grades K-8 in the small coastal community of Trinidad, California. This elementary school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking in the 82nd percentile statewide at #1681 out of 9566 California schools.

Students show steady progress in core subjects, with 53% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 48% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education in a smaller school setting. Trinidad Union draws families from a well-educated community where 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The ZIP code's median household income of $68,594 and median home value of $548,500 reflect a stable residential area, though 14.5% of families face economic challenges. With a local population of just 2,523, the school serves as an integral part of this tight-knit coastal community. The school operates in a rural setting, offering students the unique opportunity to learn and grow in one of Northern California's most scenic coastal areas along Humboldt County's rugged coastline.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 168 students, Trinidad Union 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, Trinidad Union 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 Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.8%
Math vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,969

Trinidad Union — Students at Trinidad Union score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.3%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 54.3%
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
47%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
48.1%
ELA
53.5%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Trinidad Union Compares

See how Trinidad Union performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO Box 3030, Trinidad, CA 95570

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Trinidad Union may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.0/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Arcata), with a very similar rating. Another option is Fieldbrook Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Mckinleyville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Pacific Union Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Arcata), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Trinidad, see our Trinidad schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Dow's Prairie Elementary Mckinleyville 6.3 mi 6.9
Big Lagoon Elementary Trinidad 6.7 mi
McKinleyville High Mckinleyville 7.5 mi 5.5
Mad River High (Continuation) Mckinleyville 7.5 mi 5.4
Morris Elementary Mckinleyville 7.8 mi 6.1
McKinleyville Middle Mckinleyville 8.2 mi 5.4
Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville 8.4 mi
Fieldbrook Elementary Mckinleyville 9.2 mi 7.7
SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata 11.5 mi
Laurel Tree Charter Arcata 11.6 mi 6.9
Pacific Union Elementary Arcata 11.7 mi 7.0
Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata 12.7 mi 5.0
MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata 12.7 mi
Arcata Elementary Arcata 12.7 mi 5.1
Coastal Grove Charter Arcata 12.8 mi 8.0
Arcata High Arcata 13.0 mi 5.8
Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata 13.0 mi 7.0
Six Rivers Charter High Arcata 13.0 mi 5.1
Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata 13.2 mi 7.3
ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata 13.4 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95570 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,143

Median Home Value

$599,300

Median Rent

$1,840/mo

Population

2,480

College Educated

58%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

48.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Trinidad Union has a median household income of $72,143. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $599,300, with a median rent of $1,840/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
BERKWOOD HEDGE SCHOOL Berkeley, CA 7.9
BETHANY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Westminster, CA 7.9
Burckhalter Elementary Oakland, CA 7.9
HOLY ANGELS SCHOOL Colma, CA 7.9
Hooper Avenue Primary Center Los Angeles, CA 7.9
KIPP Poder Public Los Angeles, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Trinidad Union

What grades does Trinidad Union serve?

Trinidad Union serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Trinidad Union?

Trinidad Union has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Trinidad Union?

The student-teacher ratio at Trinidad Union is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Trinidad Union rank in CA?

Trinidad Union is ranked #1595 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Trinidad Union's MySchoolScout rating?

Trinidad Union has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Trinidad Union?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Trinidad Union has 47.3% math proficiency and 54.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Trinidad Union a charter school?

No, Trinidad Union is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Trinidad Union a Title I school?

No, Trinidad Union is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Trinidad Union?

62.5% of students at Trinidad Union 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 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
168
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Humboldt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Trinidad Union Elementary
District Enrollment
168
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,722
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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