Elementary Schools in Arcata, California: Arcata schools average near the state. The 58.3-point spread is where the choice actually lives.
Arcata, California has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 38.8/100 — within 0.0 points of the state average of 38.9. The highest-scoring school is Union Street Charter at 79/100, where 56.4% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Arcata schools average 19.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.4%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction shows how many students go beyond the standard rather than only meeting it. Of 6 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 21.8% (above the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
Start with your child’s school level
The overview describes elementary schools. The lists below separate elementary, middle and high schools, so each school’s standing stays within its own comparison group. Open a profile to see the underlying results, student support and questions to ask on a visit.
Every school in Arcata
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP · levels never mixed
Elementary Schools (6)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union Street Charter Arcata Elementary | 56.4% | 98th percentile · StrongScope Score 79/100 |
| 2 | Coastal Grove Charter Arcata Elementary | 18.9% | 63rd percentile · SolidScope Score 42/100 |
| 3 | Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata Elementary | 13.9% | 50th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 36/100 |
| 4 | Pacific Union Elementary Pacific Union Elementary | 14.5% | 42nd percentile · DevelopingScope Score 33/100 |
| 5 | Laurel Tree Charter Northern Humboldt Union High | 5.9% | 18th percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 23/100 |
| 6 | Arcata Elementary Arcata Elementary | 8.5% | 11th percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 21/100 |
Middle Schools (2)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Humboldt County Office of Education | 25.9% | 80th percentile · StrongScope Score 51/100 |
| 2 | Sunny Brae Middle Arcata Elementary | 16.5% | 43rd percentile · DevelopingScope Score 33/100 |
High Schools (3)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arcata High Northern Humboldt Union High | 23.4% | 75th percentile · StrongScope Score 62/100 |
| 2 | Six Rivers Charter High Northern Humboldt Union High | 31.0% | 73rd percentile · SolidScope Score 61/100 |
| 3 | Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Northern Humboldt Union High continuation high school | 3.9% | 97th percentile · StrongWithin its own school classScope Score 39/100 |
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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.
Elementary school archetypes in Arcata
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
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