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Main Street Ferndale 2015Photo: Ellin Beltz · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+
Schools in Ferndale · Ferndale Unified School District

Ferndale’s public schools outscore 65% of California districts

On the state math tests, 38% of Ferndale’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ferndale, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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.

Reading proficiency
45%
▼ 2 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
38%
▲ 5 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Spent per student
$21.8K
▲ 3% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.0
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
483 students on the public path
In brief

Ferndale’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 411 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ferndale’s, its schools beat 85%, higher than their 65% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 45% and math 38% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $21,751 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one high school

From grade 9 the district’s path is Ferndale High. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Ferndale’s grade

B+ Test scores

B+: better than 65% of California school districts. Test scores are above the California average; there is no graduation rate to add.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 65%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (411)Better than 85%
B−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 250 test results could put Ferndale anywhere from B− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Ferndale’s students in the tested grades sat them (250 in math, 249 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ferndale, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–8Ferndale ElementaryFerndale Unified School DistrictB−
9–12Ferndale HighFerndale Unified School DistrictC−

Ferndale’s public schools are run by Ferndale Unified School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Ferndale Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 2 schools · 483 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 16.0 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$21,751CA $21,206 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading45%
State average 46.7% · 249 students tested
Math38%
State average 33.1% · 250 students tested

Ferndale vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Ferndale’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
FerndaleB+Ferndale Unified

Every school in Ferndale

2 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).

District schools in Ferndaleby address
Ferndale Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–8
B−
338 students19:1Rate it →
Ferndale High
High · Grades 9–12
C−
145 students11:1Rate it →

Questions about Ferndale’s schools

Are Ferndale’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Ferndale children attend outscore 65% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Ferndale in?

Ferndale Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 483 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

Where do Ferndale kids go to high school?

Ferndale High, with 145 students; its own test results earn a C−.

How much does Ferndale spend per student?

$21,751 in Ferndale Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Ferndale families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ferndale → 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.