Union Street Charter

Union Street Charter is a small public charter school in Arcata, California, serving about 99 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, classes stay intimate, giving each child consistent access to instruction. Academically, Union Street Charter earns an Exceptional composite score of 9.5 out of 10, with a perfect 10.0 for academics and a 9.2 for growth.

That performance puts it at #10 out of 9,533 public schools statewide — ranking it among the top elementary schools in California by a wide margin. It also holds the #1 spot among all 11 schools in Arcata, outperforming every comparable school in the city. For parents weighing options in Humboldt County, the numbers carry real weight.

Union Street Charter ranks #10 out of 5,817 elementary schools across California, placing it in a tier of schools that outperforms 100% of California public schools on combined academic and growth measures. Its small enrollment means families get a school with outsized results and a close-knit setting — a practical combination that is difficult to find at this level of measured achievement.

With an enrollment of 99 students, Union Street Charter 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.

Union Street Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.