Average
#7092 of 9,539 schools in CA
Whale Gulch Elementary
Elementary School · Leggett Valley Unified
76811 Usal Rd., Whitethorn, CA 95589
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,092 of 9,539
In district
#2 of 2
Leggett Valley Unified
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Whale Gulch Elementary
Elementary School in Whitethorn · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Whale Gulch High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Whitethorn Elementary
3.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Whale Gulch Elementary
Whale Gulch Elementary is a public elementary school in Whitethorn, CA, part of Leggett Valley Unified. Whale Gulch Elementary serves approximately 38 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Whale Gulch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #7,092 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Whale Gulch Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 38 students, Whale Gulch Elementary 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.
Whale Gulch Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Whale Gulch Elementary — Students at Whale Gulch Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 28 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: 2.3/10.
How Whale Gulch Elementary Compares
See how Whale Gulch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
76811 Usal Rd., Whitethorn, CA 95589
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whale Gulch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 35.1 miles away, in nearby Scotia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Casterlin Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 25.8 miles away, in nearby Blocksburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Leggett Valley Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Leggett), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Whitethorn, see our Whitethorn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 33.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Whale Gulch High Whitethorn | 0.0 mi | — |
| Whitethorn Elementary Whitethorn | 3.2 mi | — |
| Osprey Learning Center Redway | 12.3 mi | — |
| Redway Elementary Redway | 12.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Osprey Learning Center (Alternative) Redway | 12.3 mi | — |
| Southern Humboldt Community Eureka | 12.4 mi | — |
| Leggett Valley High Leggett | 16.0 mi | — |
| Leggett Valley Elementary Leggett | 16.0 mi | 6.6 |
| South Fork High Miranda | 19.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Miranda Junior High Miranda | 19.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Honeydew Elementary Petrolia | 19.5 mi | — |
| Agnes J. Johnson Charter Weott | 23.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Casterlin Elementary Blocksburg | 25.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Casterlin High Blocksburg | 25.8 mi | — |
| Mattole Triple Junction High Petrolia | 28.5 mi | — |
| Mattole Elementary Petrolia | 28.5 mi | — |
| Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary Scotia | 35.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Bridgeville Elementary Bridgeville | 35.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Laytonville High Laytonville | 32.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Laytonville Elementary Laytonville | 33.2 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95589 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,074
Median Home Value
$439,000
Median Rent
$1,164/mo
Population
1,467
College Educated
13.4%
Homeownership
79.1%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
27%
Median Age
48.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| COUNTRY HILL MONTESSORI Fair Oaks, CA | 5.1 |
| JIE PING ACADEMY Sacramento, CA | 5.1 |
| LAGUNA NIGUEL JR ACADEMY Laguna Niguel, CA | 5.1 |
| WALNUT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL ACADEMY West Covina, CA | 5.1 |
| EL CAJON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Cajon, CA | 5.0 |
| RAMONA LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL Ramona, CA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whale Gulch Elementary
What grades does Whale Gulch Elementary serve?
Whale Gulch Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Whale Gulch Elementary?
Whale Gulch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 38 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whale Gulch Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Whale Gulch Elementary is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whale Gulch Elementary rank in CA?
Whale Gulch Elementary ranks #7,092 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Whale Gulch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Whale Gulch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Whale Gulch Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Whale Gulch Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Whale Gulch Elementary a charter school?
No, Whale Gulch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whale Gulch Elementary a Title I school?
No, Whale Gulch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whale Gulch Elementary?
55.3% of students at Whale Gulch Elementary 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
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 38
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Mendocino County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.1%
- Phone
- (707) 986-7131
Resources & Links
District
Leggett Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 121
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,976
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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