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Arcata Elementary

Q: Is Arcata Elementary a good school?

Arcata Elementary ranks 3738 th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

3738^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,857 California Elementary Schools

Better than 36% of California elementary schools

Summary

Arcata Elementary is a public K-5 school serving about 240 students in the Arcata Elementary district, which has seen a notable decline in its statewide academic ranking over the past two years.

While the school invests significantly more per student ($24,176) than nearly all nearby schools, this high spending has not translated to strong academic results, placing it in the bottom third of California elementary schools. In contrast, schools like Union Street Charter and Jacoby Creek achieve much higher rankings with similar or lower funding. A major challenge is chronic absenteeism, with nearly 30% of students missing significant school, a rate much higher than many higher-performing neighboring schools.

There are some bright spots, including a relative strength in science instruction and smaller class sizes than some area schools. However, performance varies widely by grade and student subgroup, and the school's effectiveness has been inconsistent in recent years. For improvement, key areas to address include the high absenteeism rate and understanding why the substantial financial investment is not yielding better outcomes in core subjects like English and math.

240

Students ?

16.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$24,176

Per pupil spending ?

78.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2400 Baldwin St.
Arcata, CA 95521-5168

(707) 822-4858

District: Arcata Elementary

Students who attend Arcata Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Sunny Brae Middle
High:	Arcata High

Racial breakdown:

White:

45.8%

Hispanic:

23.8%

Two or more races:

17.1%

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Compare Arcata Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 46th percentile in 2015 → 36th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (30% vs 41% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (30% vs 19% California)

!Ranking has slipped — down 10 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school30%

District avg35%

California avg41%

3,738^th of 5,857

California public elementary schools ?

Bottom 36%▼ down 10 pts since 2015

From bottom 46% (2015) to bottom 36% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	32.9	3738 of 5857	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	32.6	3726 of 5869	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	46.6	2718 of 5859	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.8	2464 of 5883	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.3	642 of 1417	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.5	2155 of 5789	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.7	2201 of 5662	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	57.4	2157 of 5692	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	47.6	2627 of 5614	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	39.5	3044 of 5611	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2013	38.1	3451 of 5530	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	57.3	2188 of 5390	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2011	59.5	2061 of 5377	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	57.4	2140 of 5314	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2009	59.1	1965 of 5193	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2008	57.7	1956 of 5113	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	67.5	1484 of 5113	71.0%	★★★★☆
2006	69.9	1346 of 4818	72.1%	★★★★☆
2005	68.6	1395 of 4822	71.1%	★★★★☆
2004	79.0	943 of 4809	80.4%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2018	96.0	75 of 2128	96.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	30.3	3830 of 5597	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	31.8	3658 of 5612	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.4	3180 of 5609	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	42.8	2819 of 5635	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.1	581 of 1267	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	57.3	2097 of 5492	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.7	2453 of 5413	54.7%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	68.3	1269 of 5087	75.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	24.5	4403 of 5460	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	25.0	4380 of 5517	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	46.6	2586 of 5363	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.1	1566 of 5264	70.3%	★★★★☆
2021	68.0	260 of 1110	76.6%	★★★★☆
2019	61.3	1684 of 5173	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	68.4	1273 of 5084	75.0%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	37.6	3300 of 5628	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.8	3364 of 5643	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	55.5	2153 of 5638	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.9	2012 of 5663	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.5	564 of 1272	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.4	2019 of 5510	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.3	1872 of 5431	65.5%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	49.4	981 of 2635	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	24.3	1941 of 2420	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	37.1	1779 of 2598	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	21.0	2189 of 2651	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	33.5	1898 of 2661	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	29.9	2020 of 2726	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	48.7	1590 of 2834	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	34.4	1972 of 2737	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Disabled (2018)96th percentile+35 vs school

Hispanic (2023)75th percentile+21 vs school

Special Education (2024)63rd percentile+26 vs school

Male (2025)41st percentile+5 vs school

Female (2025)32nd percentile-5 vs school

White (2025)32nd percentile-5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)19th percentile-17 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

Science35%~ state avg

English Language Arts/Literacy32%-16 vs state

Mathematics25%-12 vs state

★

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Schools Near Arcata Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)							% Completely Immunized (2022)	% Polio (2022)	% Hepatitis B (2022)	% Varicella (2022)	% DTP (2022)	% MMR (2022)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% DTP KG	% MMR KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Arcata Elementary	Public	K-5	2400 Baldwin St.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Arcata Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 822-4858	240	15	16.0	78.8%	110 (45.8%)	9 (3.8%)	57 (23.8%)	9 (3.8%)	13 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (17.1%)	32.9	3738^th of 5857 public elementary schools	36.2%		32.6	3726^th of 5869 public elementary schools	36.5%	12	35.0		35.0	18.0	25.0	52.5				32.4	20.5	15.6	37.5				25.2	94.3						$24,176	$5,622	$18,554
Trillium Charter	Public, Charter	K-5	1464 Spear Ave.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Trillium Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 822-4721	40	3	13.2	87.5%	23 (57.5%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (12.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (5.0%)								(n/a)										63.2							42.1							$19,571	$3,680	$15,891
Fuente Nueva Charter	Public, Charter	K-5	1730 Janes Rd.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Fuente Nueva Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 822-3348	150	8	18.7	45.3%	55 (36.7%)	1 (0.7%)	66 (44.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (17.3%)	47	2765^th of 5857 public elementary schools	52.8%		54.7	2302^nd of 5869 public elementary schools	60.8%	463	42.9		42.9	25.0	30.4	61.9				40.0	25.0	39.1	42.9				36.7	79.2		87.5		91.7		$17,389	$450	$16,939
Coastal Grove Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	1897 S St.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Coastal Grove Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 825-8804	235	16	14.8	60.9%	181 (77.0%)	5 (2.1%)	19 (8.1%)	2 (0.9%)	7 (3.0%)	1 (0.4%)	18 (7.7%)	50.3	2570^th of 5857 public elementary schools	56.1%		59.8	2072^nd of 5869 public elementary schools	64.7%	498	40.9	31.8	36.4	24.0	50.0	63.6	45.5	56.3	86.4	53.4	32.0	70.8	22.7	27.3	62.5	50.0	43.5	30.8	69.2	76.9	80.8	80.8	84.6	$16,765	$550	$16,215
Pacific Union Elementary	Public	K-8	3001 Janes Rd.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Pacific Union Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 822-4619	534	29	18.4	54.9%	261 (48.9%)	11 (2.1%)	146 (27.3%)	8 (1.5%)	35 (6.6%)	0 (0.0%)	71 (13.3%)	52.3	2476^th of 5857 public elementary schools	57.7%		53	2398^th of 5869 public elementary schools	59.1%	78	40.4	39.6	40.0	31.1	41.2	44.7	58.1	57.6	54.7	49.1	42.2	29.4	27.7	59.7	39.4	32.1	39.2							$14,783	$1,942	$12,841
Union Street Charter	Public, Charter	K-5	470 Union St.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Union Street Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 822-4845	99	6	16.3	44.4%	69 (69.7%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (15.2%)	1 (1.0%)	2 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (12.1%)	97	156^th of 5857 public elementary schools	97.3%		98.4	57^th of 5869 public elementary schools	99.0%	99	100.0		100.0	70.6	88.2	100.0				85.4	76.5	88.2	92.9				85.4							$13,620	$404	$13,216
Jacoby Creek	Public	K-8	1617 Old Arcata Rd.	Bayside	95524	Humboldt County	Jacoby Creek Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 822-4896	455	22	20.5	34.9%	330 (72.5%)	2 (0.4%)	47 (10.3%)	9 (2.0%)	6 (1.3%)	1 (0.2%)	60 (13.2%)	87.9	785^th of 5857 public elementary schools	86.6%		91.4	614^th of 5869 public elementary schools	89.5%	171	64.0	57.7	60.8	67.4	79.6	70.0	70.6	83.0	82.7	75.4	59.2	67.4	50.0	76.5	70.2	69.2	65.4	94.9	96.6		96.6	96.6		$13,732	$1,104	$12,628
Morris Elementary	Public	3-5	2395 McKinleyville Ave.	McKinleyville	95519	Humboldt County	McKinleyville Union Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 839-1529	255	9	28.3	57.3%	138 (54.1%)	2 (0.8%)	44 (17.3%)	4 (1.6%)	21 (8.2%)	1 (0.4%)	44 (17.3%)	46.2	2816^th of 5857 public elementary schools	51.9%		43.7	2947^th of 5869 public elementary schools	49.8%	131	45.6		45.6	34.3	40.6	52.2				43.1	37.3	32.3	28.9				32.4							$16,777	$1,914	$14,863
Blue Lake Union Elementary	Public	K-8	631 Greenwood Ave.	Blue Lake	95525	Humboldt County	Blue Lake Union Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 668-5674	153	12	13.0	62.1%	92 (60.1%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (15.7%)	2 (1.3%)	8 (5.2%)	1 (0.7%)	26 (17.0%)	34.1	3644^th of 5857 public elementary schools	37.8%		25.2	4349^th of 5869 public elementary schools	25.9%	705	27.3	11.8	20.5	36.8	30.8	31.8	30.0	45.5	29.4	33.3	52.6	46.2	22.7	15.0	27.3	11.8	28.4	90.5						$21,492	$3,925	$17,567
Fieldbrook Elementary	Public	K-8	4070 Fieldbrook Rd.	McKinleyville	95519	Humboldt County	Fieldbrook Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 839-3201	90	6	15.0	38.9%	68 (75.6%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (8.9%)	2 (2.2%)	5 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (7.8%)	41.6	3102^nd of 5857 public elementary schools	47.0%		66.5	1751^st of 5869 public elementary schools	70.2%	1351			21.4	35.7	66.7		33.3			45.9	35.7	25.0		33.3			34.4							$15,885	$1,405	$14,480

Frequently Asked Questions about Arcata Elementary

Is Arcata Elementary a good school?

Arcata Elementary ranks 3738^th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Arcata Elementary attend?

Students who attend Arcata Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Sunny Brae Middle
High : Arcata High

What district is Arcata Elementary in?

Arcata Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Arcata Elementary?

Students at Arcata Elementary are 46% White, 24% Hispanic, 17% Two or more races, 5% American Indian, 4% African American, 4% Asian.

How many students attend Arcata Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 240 students attended Arcata Elementary.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.