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Elementary Schools in Arcata, California

Near Average2024–25 data5 schools · avg 39.8/100

Arcata, California has 5 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 39.8/100 — 4.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Arcata High at 65/100, where 23.4% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Arcata schools average 13.3% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 31.6% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
39.8
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
40.3
24.7 – 65.1
Avg Exceeded %
13.3%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
31.6%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
5
With Scope Scores

How Arcata schools compare

Arcata's 5 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 39.8 — 4.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 24.7 to 65.1, a 40.3-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Arcata High with a Scope Score of 65 and 23.4% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Arcata averages 31.6%, which is below the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

Schools in Arcata ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Arcata High
Northern Humboldt Union High Building Momentum
23.4%Solid
65/100
2Pacific Coast High (Continuation)
Northern Humboldt Union High Building Momentum
3.9%Developing
40/100
3Pacific Union Elementary
Pacific Union Elementary Building Momentum
14.5%Developing
36/100
4Sunny Brae Middle
Arcata Elementary Building Momentum
16.5%Developing
33/100
5Arcata 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.

Arcata Christian School
Amish · Grades Pre-K-8 · 106 students
16:1Private
Six Rivers Montessori
Nonsectarian · Grades 1-5 · 21 students
11:1Private
Mad River Montessori
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K · 6 students
3:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Arcata

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Arcata good?
Arcata's 5 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 39.8/100, which is 4.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. 13.3% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Arcata?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Arcata is Arcata High with a Scope Score of 65/100 and 23.4% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Arcata schools compare to the state average?
Arcata elementary schools average a Scope Score of 39.8 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (4.0 points below). The exceeded rate averages 13.3% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 31.6% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 24.7 to 65.1, a 40.3-point spread.
How many schools are in Arcata?
Arcata has 5 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

Related

All California SchoolsTop Schools in ArcataNorthern Humboldt Union HighPacific Union ElementaryArcata Elementary

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