Elementary Schools in Arcata, California: 2 schools. Average score 13.2 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.
Arcata, California has 2 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 30.5/100 — 13.2 points below the state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Pacific Union Elementary at 36/100, where 14.5% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Arcata schools average 11.5% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 25.6% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Schools | Avg Score | Exceeded | vs State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 2 | Developing 30.5/100 | 11.5% | -13.2 |
| High | 2 | Solid 52.3/100 | 13.6% | +4.9 |
| Middle | 2 | Developing 36.9/100 | 16.4% | -3.6 |
How Arcata schools compare
Arcata has 2 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 30.5/100 — 13.2 points below the state average of 43.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is Pacific Union Elementary with a Scope Score of 36 and 14.5% of students exceeding standard.
Chronic absenteeism in Arcata averages 25.6% — above the state average of 18.1%.
How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%
Every school in Arcata
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arcata High Northern Humboldt Union High Building Momentum | 23.4% | Solid 65/100 |
| 2 | Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Northern Humboldt Union High Building Momentum | 3.9% | Developing 40/100 |
| 3 | Pacific Union Elementary Pacific Union Elementary Building Momentum | 14.5% | Developing 36/100 |
| 4 | Sunny Brae Middle Arcata Elementary Building Momentum | 16.5% | Developing 33/100 |
| 5 | Arcata Elementary Arcata Elementary Building Momentum | 8.5% | Needs Support 25/100 |
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology
Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.
Private Schools in Arcata
Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.
Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology