Photo: Robert Campbell · CC BY-SA 3.0Eureka’s public schools score below 52% of California districts on tests and graduation
23% of students in Eureka’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Eureka, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Eureka’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 348 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Eureka’s, its schools beat 65%, higher than their 48% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Northern Humboldt Union High spends $19,735 per student and Eureka City Unified $17,612, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Pacific View Charter 2.0, Alder Grove Charter School 2, St. Bernard's Academy (private), Redwood Christian School (private) and Mistwood Montessori School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Eureka’s grade
B−: better than 48% of California school districts, #527 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Eureka, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Eureka · depends on your address
Washington Elementary
Grades K–5 · 426 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Alice Birney Elementary
Grades K–5 · 375 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Grant Elementary
Grades K–5 · 278 students · 23:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Eureka · depends on your address
Washington Elementary
Grades K–5 · 426 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Alice Birney Elementary
Grades K–5 · 375 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Grant Elementary
Grades K–5 · 278 students · 23:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Eureka · depends on your address
Washington Elementary
Grades K–5 · 426 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Alice Birney Elementary
Grades K–5 · 375 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Grant Elementary
Grades K–5 · 278 students · 23:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Eureka · depends on your address
Washington Elementary
Grades K–5 · 426 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Alice Birney Elementary
Grades K–5 · 375 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Grant Elementary
Grades K–5 · 278 students · 23:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Eureka · depends on your address
Washington Elementary
Grades K–5 · 426 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Alice Birney Elementary
Grades K–5 · 375 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Grant Elementary
Grades K–5 · 278 students · 23:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Eureka · depends on your address
Washington Elementary
Grades K–5 · 426 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Alice Birney Elementary
Grades K–5 · 375 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Grant Elementary
Grades K–5 · 278 students · 23:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Eureka
Eureka Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,162 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Eureka
Eureka Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,162 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Eureka
Eureka Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,162 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Eureka
Eureka Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,162 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Eureka runs its own schools through grade 12 (Eureka City Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Northern Humboldt Union High School District, shared with Arcata, Blue Lake and Trinidad. Parts of Eureka (11%, 6% and 5% of its land) are served by Eureka City Unified, South Bay Union Elementary and Freshwater Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Eureka
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Eureka vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Eureka’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Eureka | B− | Eureka City Unified K–12 · Northern Humboldt Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Eureka
12 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Humboldt County ROP and Humboldt County Office of Education Juvenile Hall Court).
Questions about Eureka’s schools
Are Eureka’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Eureka children attend score below 52% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #527 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Eureka in?
Two districts: Eureka City Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Northern Humboldt Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Arcata, Blue Lake and Trinidad.
Where do Eureka kids go to high school?
Eureka Senior High, with 1,162 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Eureka’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Northern Humboldt Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Eureka spend per student?
$19,735 in Northern Humboldt Union High School District and $17,612 in Eureka City Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Eureka?
Yes: St. Bernard's Academy (Catholic, grades PK–12, 306 students), Redwood Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 72 students) and Mistwood Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 53 students). Eureka also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Eureka families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Eureka → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.