Excellent
#3 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 1% in state
Union Street Charter
Elementary School · Union Street Charter District
470 Union St., Arcata, CA 95521
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
9.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
9.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3 of 9,539
In Arcata
#1 of 11
public schools
Academic performance
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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Union Street Charter
Elementary School in Arcata · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sunny Brae Middle
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Arcata Christian School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Union Street Charter
Union Street Charter is a public elementary school in Arcata, CA, part of Union Street Charter District. Union Street Charter serves approximately 99 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Union Street Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 out of 10 and ranks #3 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Union Street Charter show 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
What's said publicly about Union Street Charter
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
- This school 9.8 · Excellent
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 99 students, Union Street Charter is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Union Street Charter is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Union Street Charter — Students at Union Street Charter score 89% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Union Street Charter Compares
See how Union Street Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
470 Union St., Arcata, CA 95521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Union Street Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coastal Grove Charter (rated 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Jacoby Creek (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Bayside), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pacific Union Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Arcata, see our Arcata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny Brae Middle Arcata | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Jacoby Creek Bayside | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Arcata High Arcata | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Arcata | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Six Rivers Charter High Arcata | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Arcata Elementary Arcata | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Arcata | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| MISTWOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Bayside | 1.6 mi | — |
| Mistwood Educational Center Bayside | 1.6 mi | — |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
| MAD RIVER MONTESSORI Arcata | 1.7 mi | — |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| HUMBOLDT BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bayside | 2.4 mi | — |
| Pacific Union Elementary Arcata | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Laurel Tree Charter Arcata | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| SIX RIVERS MONTESSORI Arcata | 2.6 mi | — |
| Freshwater Elementary Eureka | 5.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Freshwater Charter Middle Eureka | 5.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Seaforth Montessori Mckinleyville | 5.7 mi | — |
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 |
|---|---|
| Latrobe Elementary Shingle Springs, CA | 9.8 |
| Round Valley Elementary Bishop, CA | 9.6 |
| Garfield Elementary Eureka, CA | 9.4 |
| American River Collegiate Academy Rocklin, CA | 9.3 |
| Junction City Elementary Junction City, CA | 9.3 |
| Paradise Elementary Modesto, CA | 9.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Union Street Charter
What grades does Union Street Charter serve?
Union Street Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Union Street Charter?
Union Street Charter has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Street Charter?
The student-teacher ratio at Union Street Charter is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Union Street Charter rank in CA?
Union Street Charter ranks #3 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Union Street Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Union Street Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 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 Union Street Charter?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Union Street Charter has 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
Is Union Street Charter a charter school?
Yes, Union Street Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Union Street Charter a Title I school?
No, Union Street Charter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Street Charter?
45.5% of students at Union Street Charter 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 99
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Humboldt County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.2%
- Phone
- (707) 822-4845
Resources & Links
District
Union Street Charter District- District Enrollment
- 99
- Schools in District
- 1
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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