Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its California rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Pacific Union Elementary

Q: Is Pacific Union Elementary a good school?

Pacific Union Elementary ranks 2846 th of 5817 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-8

2846^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,817 California Elementary Schools

Better than 51% of California elementary schools

Summary

Pacific Union Elementary is a K–8 school in Arcata, serving 534 students in a community with several nearby K–8 schools for comparison. Its most important concern is uneven ELA performance: the all-grade result was 48.6%, just below the state’s 49.3%, while grade 3 was 25% and grade 4 was 39%, respectively 19 and 7 points below state results.

Compared with nearby K–8 schools, Pacific Union is stronger in math and science relative to the state, but its nearby-school picture is mixed. It scored 43% in math, 4 points above the state, and 45% in science, 9 points above; ELA was about 1 point below the state. Among the four nearby K–8 schools with current results, it placed second in ELA and math and third in science. Its results matched those of the Pacific Union Elementary district in all three subjects. Nearby K–8 averages were 56% in ELA, 44% in math, and 55% in science, so science is a relative strength against the state but lags the local peer average. Upper-grade ELA results were stronger: grades 6–8 were above state results, unlike grades 3–5.

Scores have risen since 2022–2023, especially in science: ELA increased 2 points, math 4, and science 11. SchoolDigger ranks the school 2,840th of 5,804 statewide, at the 51st percentile with 3 stars; the supplied district ranking is 276th of 968, at the 71st percentile with 4 stars. In 2024–2025, the student–teacher ratio was 18.4, and 55% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible. Chronic absenteeism was 22% in 2025–2026, above the state’s 18%, though down from 29% in 2022–2023. SchoolDigger’s statewide effectiveness ranking for Special Education Students was at the 83rd percentile, versus the school’s overall 51st percentile, and had risen from the 18th percentile in 2022–2023. For White Students, the ranking was at the 23rd percentile.

534

Students ?

18.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$27,933

Per pupil spending ?

54.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

97%

Kindergartners with all required immunizations (2024-25)

Exemptions: 0% (any vaccine)

3001 Janes Rd.
Arcata, CA 95521-4701

(707) 822-4619

District: Pacific Union Elementary

Students who attend Pacific Union Elementary usually attend:

High:

Arcata High

Racial breakdown:

White:

48.9%

Hispanic:

27.3%

Two or more races:

13.3%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Pacific Union Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 51st percentile in 2016 → 51st in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the California median (51st percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school45%

District avg45%

California avg42%

Elementary school

2,846^th of 5,817

California public elementary schools ?

Top 49%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

588^th of 2,740

California public middle schools ?

Top 21%▲ up 9 pts since 2016

From top 31% (2016) to top 21% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of California Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

462^nd of 1,530Pacific Union Elementary 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	46.1	2846 of 5817	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.3	2476 of 5857	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.0	2398 of 5869	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.1	2383 of 5859	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.6	2050 of 5883	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.9	473 of 1417	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.3	2688 of 5789	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.9	2836 of 5662	49.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	47.2	2700 of 5692	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2016	45.5	2748 of 5614	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2015	47.8	2576 of 5611	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2013	45.0	3009 of 5530	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	43.8	3017 of 5390	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2011	42.4	3057 of 5377	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	41.8	3065 of 5314	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2009	45.9	2714 of 5193	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2008	43.6	2748 of 5113	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2007	52.9	2166 of 5113	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	64.0	1588 of 4818	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2005	60.8	1710 of 4822	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2004	66.5	1427 of 4809	70.3%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2019	45.5	1473 of 3275	55.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	41.2	3057 of 5581	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	49.7	2483 of 5597	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.2	2403 of 5612	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.5	2431 of 5609	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.5	1841 of 5635	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.5	407 of 1267	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.7	2352 of 5492	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	39.0	3153 of 5413	41.8%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	41.7	2899 of 5094	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	46.8	2514 of 5107	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.8	2487 of 5107	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	40.3	2880 of 5087	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	58.3	1723 of 5084	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	20.6	4327 of 4963	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.6	4068 of 4830	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	47.5	2623 of 5423	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	49.7	2457 of 5460	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.2	2102 of 5517	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.6	2254 of 5363	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.9	1981 of 5264	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.5	447 of 1110	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	42.4	2942 of 5173	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.0	3243 of 5084	36.2%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	50.5	2460 of 5603	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.4	2269 of 5628	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.7	2280 of 5643	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.2	2213 of 5638	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.9	2243 of 5663	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.4	455 of 1272	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	40.9	2980 of 5510	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	50.7	2404 of 5431	55.7%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	72.2	507 of 2927	82.7%	★★★★☆
2023	23.7	1979 of 2420	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	27.6	1945 of 2536	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	34.6	1831 of 2598	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.6	1973 of 2651	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	37.6	1780 of 2661	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.0	1742 of 2726	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.0	1883 of 2834	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.5	1833 of 2737	33.0%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	74.2	588 of 2740	78.5%	★★★★☆
2025	69.1	694 of 2761	74.9%	★★★★☆
2024	73.2	627 of 2783	77.5%	★★★★☆
2023	62.1	842 of 2781	69.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.9	1083 of 2740	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.7	285 of 894	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	63.7	825 of 2715	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.4	907 of 2480	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	67.7	720 of 2508	71.3%	★★★★☆
2016	64.4	768 of 2497	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	65.1	762 of 2477	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	44.9	1293 of 2379	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	65.0	705 of 2259	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	54.3	981 of 2236	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2010	64.6	666 of 2179	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	55.5	844 of 2063	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	66.5	550 of 2005	72.6%	★★★★☆
2007	65.7	577 of 1999	71.1%	★★★★☆
2006	76.7	345 of 1804	80.9%	★★★★☆
2005	66.0	504 of 1777	71.6%	★★★★☆
2004	67.6	472 of 1769	73.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	79.0	456 of 2516	81.9%	★★★★☆
2025	69.7	643 of 2533	74.6%	★★★★☆
2024	74.6	556 of 2551	78.2%	★★★★☆
2023	57.9	870 of 2531	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.0	839 of 2509	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.3	241 of 738	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.4	947 of 2380	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.7	1008 of 2262	55.4%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	82.2	270 of 2357	88.5%	★★★★☆
2025	80.6	311 of 2395	87.0%	★★★★☆
2024	62.7	670 of 2388	71.9%	★★★★☆
2023	53.6	880 of 2374	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	28.0	1707 of 2359	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	44.9	1100 of 2213	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.3	847 of 2072	59.1%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	77.0	393 of 2529	84.5%	★★★★☆
2025	59.6	794 of 2542	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	74.3	446 of 2579	82.7%	★★★★☆
2023	51.2	985 of 2531	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	44.5	1180 of 2458	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	56.2	242 of 721	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	63.9	636 of 2369	73.2%	★★★★☆
2018	51.4	929 of 2230	58.3%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	66.6	705 of 2514	72.0%	★★★★☆
2025	64.2	748 of 2534	70.5%	★★★★☆
2024	67.3	682 of 2552	73.3%	★★★★☆
2023	62.9	751 of 2538	70.4%	★★★★☆
2022	45.7	1169 of 2527	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.8	243 of 763	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	67.5	655 of 2407	72.8%	★★★★☆
2018	62.8	720 of 2273	68.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	53.8	671 of 1490	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.2	721 of 1520	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.9	553 of 1537	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.7	660 of 1543	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.9	635 of 1555	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.6	678 of 1602	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.5	736 of 1496	50.8%	★★★☆☆

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)

Elementary school

Special Education (2026)83rd percentile+32 vs school

Male (2026)56th percentile+5 vs school

English Language Learner (2019)55th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)52nd percentile~ school

Female (2026)45th percentile-6 vs school

Hispanic (2026)43rd percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)23rd percentile-28 vs school

Middle school

Hispanic (2026)89th percentile+10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)84th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2026)82nd percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)72nd percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)55th percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy49%~ state avg

Science45%+9 vs state

Mathematics43%+4 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Pacific Union Elementary and help other families decide.

Rate Pacific Union Elementary

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Pacific Union Elementary

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CAST Science (2026)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)							Vaccination (2024-25)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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	Vaccination: Kindergartners with all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
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%)	46.1	2846^th of 5817 public elementary schools	51.1%		52.3	2476^th of 5857 public elementary schools	57.7%	370	32.7	54.0	44.6	25.0	39.1	44.9	57.1	66.7	57.1	48.6	40.0	50.0	30.6	38.8	48.3	46.0	42.5	97%	0%	$27,933	$26,094	$1,839
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)																				$37,454	$35,830	$1,624
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%)	15.7	5165^th of 5817 public elementary schools	11.2%		32.9	3738^th of 5857 public elementary schools	36.2%	1427	20.7		20.7	29.0	20.5	20.7				23.2	32.3	2.6	13.8				15.2	89%	0%	$30,354	$28,544	$1,810
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%)	55.6	2290^th of 5817 public elementary schools	60.6%		47	2765^th of 5857 public elementary schools	52.8%	475	45.8		45.8	36.8	57.9	70.8				56.5	42.1	21.1	33.3				32.3	≥ 95%
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%)	47.8	2730^th of 5817 public elementary schools	53.1%		50.3	2570^th of 5857 public elementary schools	56.1%	160	32.0	42.9	35.9	23.8	61.5	52.0	30.0	54.2	50.0	46.2	38.1	46.2	44.0	25.0	29.2	42.9	37.7	79%	0%
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%)	92.4	513^th of 5817 public elementary schools	91.2%		97	156^th of 5857 public elementary schools	97.3%	357	76.5		76.5	62.5	68.8	70.6				67.4	87.5	75.0	76.5				79.6
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%)	87.3	783^rd of 5817 public elementary schools	86.5%		87.9	785^th of 5857 public elementary schools	86.6%	2	69.6	52.2	60.9	63.0	78.9	82.6	70.2	82.5	82.6	76.9	58.7	69.2	63.0	45.8	80.7	78.3	66.4	92%	0%	$25,436	$25,038	$398
Morris Elementary	Public	4-5	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%)	32.7	3761^st of 5817 public elementary schools	35.3%		46.2	2816^th of 5857 public elementary schools	51.9%	945	26.8		26.8		40.6	39.2				39.8		29.7	21.7				24.8			$21,701	$19,556	$2,145
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%)								(n/a)			64.3		58.3					55.8		33.3					40.5			$29,586	$28,756	$830
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%)	41.8	3115^th of 5817 public elementary schools	46.5%		34.1	3644^th of 5857 public elementary schools	37.8%	529	42.9	36.4	40.0		52.6	28.6	35.0	36.4	54.6	36.5		47.4	28.6	15.0	18.2	27.3	25.0	92%	0%	$34,316	$32,474	$1,842

Frequently Asked Questions about Pacific Union Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Pacific Union Elementary?

Students at Pacific Union Elementary are 49% White, 27% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races, 7% American Indian, 2% African American, 1% Asian.

Is Pacific Union Elementary a good school?

Pacific Union Elementary ranks 2846^th of 5817 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Pacific Union Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 534 students attended Pacific Union Elementary.

What district is Pacific Union Elementary in?

Pacific Union Elementary

What schools do graduates of Pacific Union Elementary attend?

Students who attend Pacific Union Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Arcata High

Rate Pacific Union Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

CACalifornia Elementary School Rankings

CACalifornia District Rankings

Schools in Arcata, CA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Pacific Union Elementary!

Latest California data All new data »

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 15, 2026

2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresOct 15, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

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.