Is Pacific Union Elementary a good school?

Pacific Union Elementary ranks 2394 th of 5862 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Pacific Union Elementary?

In the 2022-23 school year, 537 students attended Pacific Union Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Pacific Union Elementary?

Students at Pacific Union Elementary are 51% White, 25% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 8% American Indian, 3% African American, 2% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Pacific Union Elementary attend?

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

Pacific Union Elementary

Summary:

Pacific Union Elementary is a public elementary school located in Arcata, California, serving grades K-8 with a total enrollment of 537 students. The school is part of the Pacific Union Elementary District, which is ranked 435 out of 1,568 districts in California and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Pacific Union Elementary's test scores in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics are generally on par with or slightly above the state average, the school lags behind some of the higher-performing nearby schools, such as Jacoby Creek and Union Street Charter. Additionally, Pacific Union Elementary has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism rates, rising from 7.1% in 2017-2018 to 29.4% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than the nearby schools. The school also has a relatively high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with 51.77% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in 2022-2023, higher than the nearby schools.

The data suggests that while Pacific Union Elementary is performing reasonably well, there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in addressing chronic absenteeism and supporting the academic achievement of all student subgroups. By learning from the successes of nearby high-performing schools, Pacific Union Elementary may be able to identify strategies to further enhance the educational experiences and outcomes for its students.

Detail:

Public K-8

3001 Janes Rd.
Arcata, CA 95521-4701

(707) 822-4619

District: Pacific Union Elementary

SchoolDigger Rank:
2394^th of 5,862 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,700

Students who attend Pacific Union Elementary usually attend:

High:

Arcata High

Student/teacher ratio: 19.1

Number of students: 537

Racial breakdown:

White:

51.4%

Hispanic:

24.8%

Two or more races:

10.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 51.8%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Pacific Union Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Pacific Union Elementary ranks better than 59.2% of elementary schools in California. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.04. (See more...)

Compare Details Pacific Union Elementary ranks better than 77.5% of middle schools in California. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 73.22. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (51.4%), Hispanic (24.8%), two or more races (10.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 51.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Pacific Union Elementary is 19.1. (See more...)

Compare Pacific Union Elementary employs 28.1 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Pacific Union Elementary is $9,700.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Pacific Union Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Pacific Union Elementary 2394^th of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See Pacific Union Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Pacific Union Elementary 625^th of 2777 California public middle schools. (See Pacific Union Elementary in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

Pacific Union Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Pacific Union Elementary 435^th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Pacific Union Elementary

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2004	66.50	1427^th	4809	70.3%
2005	60.76	1710^th	4822	64.5%
2006	63.95	1588^th	4818	67.0%
2007	52.87	2166^th	5113	57.6%
2008	43.57	2748^th	5113	46.3%
2009	45.89	2714^th	5193	47.7%
2010	41.82	3065^th	5314	42.3%
2011	42.40	3057^th	5377	43.1%
2012	43.82	3017^th	5390	44.0%
2013	44.99	3009^th	5530	45.6%
2015	47.83	2576^th	5611	54.1%
2016	45.47	2748^th	5614	51.1%
2017	47.24	2700^th	5692	52.6%
2018	44.88	2836^th	5662	49.9%
2019	48.30	2688^th	5789	53.6%
2021	62.94	473^rd	1417	66.6%
2022	59.57	2050^th	5883	65.2%
2023	53.06	2387^th	5874	59.4%
2024	53.04	2394^th	5862	59.2%

See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	45.52	1473^rd	3275	55.0%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	23.68	1979^th	2420	18.2%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	36.96	3243^rd	5084	36.2%
2019	42.40	2942^nd	5173	43.1%
2021	52.49	447^th	1110	59.7%
2022	54.94	1981^st	5264	62.4%
2023	51.62	2256^th	5374	58.0%
2024	54.16	2098^th	5511	61.9%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	38.97	3153^rd	5413	41.8%
2019	52.72	2352^nd	5492	57.2%
2021	63.55	407^th	1267	67.9%
2022	62.53	1841^st	5635	67.3%
2023	49.51	2432^nd	5617	56.7%
2024	50.25	2398^th	5605	57.2%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	50.70	2404^th	5431	55.7%
2019	40.89	2980^th	5510	45.9%
2021	59.35	455^th	1272	64.2%
2022	53.95	2243^rd	5663	60.4%
2023	54.23	2214^th	5650	60.8%
2024	53.66	2276^th	5636	59.6%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	22.60	4068^th	4830	15.8%
2019	20.62	4327^th	4963	12.8%
2022	58.34	1723^rd	5084	66.1%
2023	40.27	2883^rd	5098	43.4%
2024	46.77	2483^rd	5102	51.3%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	39.54	1833^rd	2737	33.0%
2019	39.01	1883^rd	2834	33.6%
2022	40.02	1742^nd	2726	36.1%
2023	37.60	1779^th	2662	33.2%
2024	29.62	1969^th	2647	25.6%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Pacific Union Elementary

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Rank History for all middle school students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2004	67.60	472^nd	1769	73.3%
2005	65.98	504^th	1777	71.6%
2006	76.73	345^th	1804	80.9%
2007	65.70	577^th	1999	71.1%
2008	66.50	550^th	2005	72.6%
2009	55.49	844^th	2063	59.1%
2010	64.62	666^th	2179	69.4%
2011	54.31	981^st	2236	56.1%
2012	64.97	705^th	2259	68.8%
2013	44.94	1293^rd	2379	45.6%
2015	65.06	762^nd	2477	69.2%
2016	64.40	768^th	2497	69.2%
2017	67.74	720^th	2508	71.3%
2018	57.36	907^th	2480	63.4%
2019	63.65	825^th	2715	69.6%
2021	63.72	285^th	894	68.1%
2022	52.88	1083^rd	2740	60.5%
2023	62.14	846^th	2802	69.8%
2024	73.22	625^th	2777	77.5%

See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	51.40	929^th	2230	58.3%
2019	63.92	636^th	2369	73.2%
2021	56.17	242^nd	721	66.4%
2022	44.55	1180^th	2458	52.0%
2023	51.17	990^th	2549	61.2%
2024	74.34	445^th	2575	82.7%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	50.75	1008^th	2262	55.4%
2019	54.44	947^th	2380	60.2%
2021	61.30	241^st	738	67.3%
2022	58.95	839^th	2509	66.6%
2023	57.87	873^rd	2547	65.7%
2024	74.59	554^th	2546	78.2%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	62.76	720^th	2273	68.3%
2019	67.49	655^th	2407	72.8%
2021	63.82	243^rd	763	68.2%
2022	45.74	1169^th	2527	53.7%
2023	62.89	754^th	2558	70.5%
2024	67.33	679^th	2547	73.3%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	52.29	847^th	2072	59.1%
2019	44.90	1100^th	2213	50.3%
2022	28.00	1707^th	2359	27.6%
2023	53.65	883^rd	2391	63.1%
2024	62.72	668^th	2383	72.0%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Pacific Union Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	50.49	736^th	1496	50.8%
2019	56.63	678^th	1602	57.7%
2022	56.95	635^th	1555	59.2%
2023	54.74	663^rd	1552	57.3%
2024	61.93	552^nd	1535	64.0%

See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: California Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Pacific Union Elementary

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	490	7	8	19	36	n/a	n/a	0	560
1989	518	5	11	19	37	n/a	n/a	0	590
1990	543	2	10	21	35	n/a	n/a	0	611
1991	564	7	11	24	44	n/a	n/a	0	650
1992	493	5	17	29	80	n/a	n/a	0	624
1993	513	4	18	36	71	n/a	n/a	0	642
1994	523	4	18	43	71	n/a	n/a	0	659
1995	539	4	20	49	38	n/a	n/a	0	650
1996	539	4	20	49	38	n/a	n/a	0	650
1997	559	7	20	30	29	n/a	n/a	0	645
1998	545	7	15	40	31	n/a	n/a	0	638
1999	479	9	18	49	39	n/a	n/a	0	594
2000	483	11	23	49	39	n/a	n/a	0	605
2001	489	12	26	49	33	n/a	n/a	0	609
2002	408	14	23	52	48	n/a	n/a	1	546
2003	408	14	23	52	48	n/a	n/a	1	546
2004	341	15	19	43	35	n/a	n/a	2	455
2005	299	16	17	64	35	n/a	n/a	29	460
2006	264	27	18	106	27	n/a	n/a	15	457
2007	323	15	20	90	23	n/a	n/a	11	482
2008	310	12	16	94	34	n/a	n/a	0	466
2009	317	13	16	88	47	0	10	0	491
2010	325	8	12	91	36	2	14	0	488
2011	303	2	7	94	15	0	49	0	470
2012	313	3	8	90	10	0	51	0	475
2013	317	3	10	104	11	0	57	0	502
2014	310	8	11	123	18	0	48	0	518
2015	318	8	8	134	21	0	54	0	543
2016	299	8	8	144	19	0	57	0	535
2017	311	5	8	124	19	0	59	0	526
2018	311	6	6	127	16	0	76	0	542
2019	327	6	8	131	15	0	80	0	567
2020	332	5	6	136	18	0	80	0	577
2021	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	556	556
2022	281	20	18	130	40	0	34	3	526
2023	276	16	13	133	43	0	55	1	537

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Pacific Union Elementary

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	560	22.5	24.8	n/a
1989	590	23.7	24.8	n/a
1990	611	25.3	24.1	n/a
1991	650	26.3	24.7	n/a
1992	624	26.7	23.3	28.8
1993	642	28.1	22.8	27.6
1994	659	27.4	24.1	31.9
1995	650	30.2	21.5	24.5
1996	650	30.2	21.5	24.5
1997	645	31.7	20.3	25.1
1998	638	33.2	19.2	29.6
1999	594	33.2	17.9	25.4
2000	605	31.5	19.2	28.4
2001	609	31.7	19.2	26.4
2002	546	29.5	18.5	29.2
2003	546	29.5	18.5	29.2
2004	455	26.5	17.2	28.7
2005	460	25.3	18.2	39.7
2006	457	23.8	19.2	42.8
2007	482	23.9	20.2	45.4
2008	466	30.2	15.4	42.7
2009	491	25.0	18.1	46.6
2010	488	23.6	20.6	48.2
2011	470	n/a	n/a	49.4
2012	475	22.5	21.0	n/a
2013	502	23.5	21.2	52.4
2014	518	22.1	23.4	55
2015	543	23.0	23.6	51.7
2016	535	22.0	24.3	51.8
2017	526	23.5	22.3	48.7
2018	542	25.5	21.2	53.1
2019	567	24.5	23.1	51.7
2020	577	n/a	n/a	51.8
2021	556	24.0	23.1	45.3
2022	526	27.3	19.2	48.3
2023	537	28.1	19.1	51.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Pacific Union Elementary

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	560	22.5	24.8	n/a
1989	590	23.7	24.8	n/a
1990	611	25.3	24.1	n/a
1991	650	26.3	24.7	n/a
1992	624	26.7	23.3	28.8
1993	642	28.1	22.8	27.6
1994	659	27.4	24.1	31.9
1995	650	30.2	21.5	24.5
1996	650	30.2	21.5	24.5
1997	645	31.7	20.3	25.1
1998	638	33.2	19.2	29.6
1999	594	33.2	17.9	25.4
2000	605	31.5	19.2	28.4
2001	609	31.7	19.2	26.4
2002	546	29.5	18.5	29.2
2003	546	29.5	18.5	29.2
2004	455	26.5	17.2	28.7
2005	460	25.3	18.2	39.7
2006	457	23.8	19.2	42.8
2007	482	23.9	20.2	45.4
2008	466	30.2	15.4	42.7
2009	491	25.0	18.1	46.6
2010	488	23.6	20.6	48.2
2011	470	n/a	n/a	49.4
2012	475	22.5	21.0	n/a
2013	502	23.5	21.2	52.4
2014	518	22.1	23.4	55
2015	543	23.0	23.6	51.7
2016	535	22.0	24.3	51.8
2017	526	23.5	22.3	48.7
2018	542	25.5	21.2	53.1
2019	567	24.5	23.1	51.7
2020	577	n/a	n/a	51.8
2021	556	24.0	23.1	45.3
2022	526	27.3	19.2	48.3
2023	537	28.1	19.1	51.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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