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Pacific Coast High (Continuation)

Public Grades 9-12

1638^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,162 California High Schools

Better than 24% of California high schools

Summary

Pacific Coast High (Continuation) is a small, alternative public high school serving about 24 students in grades 9-12 within the Northern Humboldt Union High district in Arcata, CA, designed specifically to help students at risk of not graduating from a traditional setting.

The school's defining feature is its intense focus on graduation, achieving a 100% graduation rate in the most recent year despite very low scores on standardized state tests in English and Math. This "graduation-first" model is common for continuation schools and means its success is better measured by its ability to help students recover credits and earn a diploma than by test scores. With a very low student-teacher ratio, the school provides significant individual attention, and data shows it has been relatively more effective for its economically disadvantaged students compared to its overall performance. However, challenges with chronic student absenteeism remain.

Compared to other local alternative schools like Mad River High (Continuation) and Zoe Barnum High, Pacific Coast High shows stronger outcomes in graduation and attendance. It exists in a community with extreme educational contrasts, situated near top-performing schools like Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy and other comprehensive high schools like Arcata High, highlighting its specific and vital role in serving a vulnerable student population within the broader Humboldt County landscape.

Students ?

10.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,007

Per pupil spending ?

58.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1720 M St.
Arcata, CA 95521-5741

(707) 822-2443

District: Northern Humboldt Union High

Racial breakdown:

White:

54.2%

Hispanic:

25.0%

American Indian:

8.3%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 43rd percentile in 2013 → 24th in 2025

Strengths

✓100% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (19% vs 43% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (24th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (40% vs 19% California)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school19%

District avg43%

California avg43%

1,638^th of 2,162

California public high schools ?

Bottom 24%▲ up 12 pts since 2015

From bottom 12% (2015) to bottom 24% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 4High Schools in the Northern Humboldt Union High

530^th of 1,543Northern Humboldt Union High among California districts

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	22.5	1638 of 2162	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	40.0	1219 of 2170	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	22.2	1606 of 2123	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	41.1	749 of 1290	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.4	1444 of 2133	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	12.1	1697 of 2017	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	15.7	1583 of 2021	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	21.1	1504 of 2039	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	11.2	1753 of 1994	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	28.1	1383 of 2426	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	36.3	1146 of 2354	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	19.6	1650 of 2367	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	10.2	2003 of 2281	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	25.2	1611 of 2238	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	24.4	1338 of 2117	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	24.2	1327 of 2063	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2006	16.5	1589 of 1968	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	19.2	1423 of 1901	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	49.3	505 of 1653	69.4%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	32.3	1257 of 1915	34.4%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	53.4	865 of 2030	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	19.9	1551 of 1943	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	56.7	443 of 1126	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	34.5	1268 of 1937	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	9.3	1802 of 1862	3.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2019	34.6	1184 of 1880	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	13.7	1505 of 1834	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	15.6	1014 of 1193	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.0	1020 of 1222	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	6.1	1077 of 1173	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)57th percentile+14 vs school

Male (2019)37th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2023)34th percentile-9 vs school

White (2023)15th percentile-29 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy31%-18 vs state

Mathematics8%-30 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a student
Tuesday, November 28, 2017

I graduated from Pacific Coast High School in 2007. Back then my parents put me in pacific coast because it allowed me to work at my own pace. I was able to complete 3 years of high school in two and graduated at 17 years old. The teachers and faculty genuinely cared about my education, I will always appreciate this school. Close Quote

Schools Near Pacific Coast High (Continuation)

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores 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)					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 8th Grade	CAST Science 10th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	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 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Arcata High	Public	9-12	1720 M St.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Northern Humboldt Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 825-2400	1,007	53	19.0	40.3%	628 (62.4%)	15 (1.5%)	183 (18.2%)	31 (3.1%)	34 (3.4%)	2 (0.2%)	108 (10.7%)	82.2	379^th of 2162 public high schools	82.5%		82.4	366^th of 2159 public high schools	83.0%	13				47.0	47.0				65.7	65.7				36.8	36.8	$19,047	$4,327	$14,720
Pacific Coast High (Continuation)	Public	9-12	1720 M St.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Northern Humboldt Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 822-2443	24	2	10.9	58.3%	13 (54.2%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (25.0%)	1 (4.2%)	2 (8.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (8.3%)	22.5	1638^th of 2162 public high schools	24.2%					(n/a)									30.8	30.8				7.7	7.7	$19,007	$3,457	$15,550
Six Rivers Charter High	Public, Charter	9-12	1720 M St.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Six Rivers Charter High District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 825-2428	113	5	22.2	31.0%	68 (60.2%)	1 (0.9%)	21 (18.6%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (4.4%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (15.9%)								(n/a)
Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy	Public, Charter	6-12	285 Bayside Rd.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 822-0861	118	6	19.3	33.1%	81 (68.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (5.9%)	4 (3.4%)	3 (2.5%)	2 (1.7%)	20 (16.9%)	96.8	61^st of 2162 public high schools	97.2%		92.7	168^th of 2159 public high schools	92.2%	107	71.4			75.0	73.2	46.7	79.2	72.7	100.0	75.0	37.5	70.8	47.6	50.0	53.3	$16,039	$287	$15,752
Arcata Educational Resource Center	Public	7-12	1222 Hallen Dr.	Arcata	95521	Humboldt County	Humboldt County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 445-7000	27	2	12.8	81.5%	13 (48.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (11.1%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (29.6%)								(n/a)
McKinleyville High	Public	9-12	1300 Murray Rd.	McKinleyville	95519	Humboldt County	Northern Humboldt Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 839-6400	566	34	16.7	45.6%	292 (51.6%)	0 (0.0%)	90 (15.9%)	9 (1.6%)	50 (8.8%)	2 (0.4%)	117 (20.7%)	52.1	990^th of 2162 public high schools	54.2%		46.1	1096^th of 2159 public high schools	49.2%	106				24.3	24.3				45.9	45.9				23.1	23.1	$22,929	$5,171	$17,758
Mad River High (Continuation)	Public	9-12	1300 Murray Rd.	McKinleyville	95519	Humboldt County	Northern Humboldt Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 839-6480	28	2	13.8	82.1%	14 (50.0%)	1 (3.6%)	5 (17.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (10.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (17.9%)								(n/a)																$17,578	$4,824	$12,754
Humboldt County Regional Occupational Program	Public	10-12	901 Myrtle Ave.	Eureka	95501	Humboldt County	Humboldt County Regional Occupational Program	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(707) 445-7018	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Eureka Community	Public	7-12	1820 Sixth St.	Eureka	95501	Humboldt County	Humboldt County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 445-7108	70	4	19.7	98.6%	30 (42.9%)	3 (4.3%)	16 (22.9%)	1 (1.4%)	7 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (18.6%)	8.4	2099^th of 2162 public high schools	2.9%		21.2	1678^th of 2159 public high schools	22.3%	421					16.0				8.3	10.5				0.0	0.0	$35,628	$4,775	$30,853
Eureka Senior High	Public	9-12	1915 J St.	Eureka	95501	Humboldt County	Eureka City Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 441-2508	1,162	60	19.2	51.1%	532 (45.8%)	21 (1.8%)	306 (26.3%)	104 (9.0%)	45 (3.9%)	22 (1.9%)	131 (11.3%)	53.6	959^th of 2162 public high schools	55.6%		59.7	773^rd of 2159 public high schools	64.2%	186		20.5	30.0	26.8	26.8				50.6	50.6				21.0	21.0	$17,604	$1,846	$15,758

Frequently Asked Questions about Pacific Coast High (Continuation)

What district is Pacific Coast High (Continuation) in?

Northern Humboldt Union High

Is Pacific Coast High (Continuation) a good school?

Pacific Coast High (Continuation) ranks in the bottom 24.2% of California high schools.

How many students attend Pacific Coast High (Continuation)?

In the 2024-25 school year, 24 students attended Pacific Coast High (Continuation).

What is the racial makeup of Pacific Coast High (Continuation)?

Students at Pacific Coast High (Continuation) are 54% White, 25% Hispanic, 8% American Indian, 8% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

Rate Pacific Coast High (Continuation)!

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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.