Elementary Schools in Arcata, California: Arcata schools average near the state. The 56.1-point spread is where the choice actually lives.
Arcata, California has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 46.0/100 — within 1.2 points of the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Union Street Charter at 82/100, where 56.4% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Arcata schools average 19.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward 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.
| Level | Schools | Avg Score | Exceeded | vs State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 6 | Developing 46.0/100 | 19.7% | +1.2 |
| High | 3 | Developing 49.7/100 | 19.4% | +6.0 |
| Middle | 2 | Developing 46.0/100 | 21.2% | +3.3 |
How Arcata schools compare
Arcata has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 46.0/100 — within 1.2 points of the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is Union Street Charter with a Scope Score of 82 and 56.4% of students exceeding standard.
Chronic absenteeism in Arcata averages 21.8% — above the state average of 17.9%.
How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page
School archetypes in Arcata
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Every school in Arcata
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union Street Charter Arcata Elementary High Ceiling | 56.4% | Strong 82/100 |
| 2 | Arcata High Northern Humboldt Union High Building Momentum | 23.4% | Solid 57/100 |
| 3 | Six Rivers Charter High Northern Humboldt Union High Building Momentum | 31.0% | Solid 56/100 |
| 4 | Coastal Grove Charter Arcata Elementary Building Momentum | 18.9% | Solid 55/100 |
| 5 | Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy Humboldt County Office of Education Culture First | 25.9% | Solid 53/100 |
| 6 | Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata Elementary Building Momentum | 13.9% | Developing 45/100 |
| 7 | Pacific Union Elementary Pacific Union Elementary Building Momentum | 14.5% | Developing 39/100 |
| 8 | Sunny Brae Middle Arcata Elementary Building Momentum | 16.5% | Developing 39/100 |
| 9 | Pacific Coast High (Continuation) Northern Humboldt Union High Building Momentum | 3.9% | Developing 36/100 |
| 10 | Laurel Tree Charter Northern Humboldt Union High Building Momentum | 5.9% | Needs Support 29/100 |
| 11 | Arcata Elementary Arcata Elementary Building Momentum | 8.5% | Needs Support 26/100 |
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