Eureka City Schools, CA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Eureka City Schools

Eureka City Schools serves kindergarten through twelfth grade across eight schools in Humboldt County. The district has a small to mid-sized enrollment spread across elementary, middle, and high school grades. Its student body is diverse, with substantial representation from Hispanic, white, Asian, and mixed-race populations, as well as American Indian and Native Hawaiian students. Free-or-reduced-price lunch participation data was not available, and counts for students with IEPs and English learners were also not provided.

Academic performance across the district sits well below state midpoints. In the most recent testing cycle, proficiency rates in English language arts ranged from the low to mid-range in elementary grades, improving noticeably in middle school, with seventh and eighth graders showing higher achievement than younger students. Mathematics proficiency is notably weaker, with single-digit and low double-digit percentages in elementary grades, roughly a quarter of students meeting proficiency in grades three, four, and seven, and substantially lower rates in grades five, six, and eight. Science proficiency, tested in grades five and eight, shows similar modest results. Among the county's districts, Eureka City Schools sits below the midpoint on a composite proficiency measure. The district's chronic absenteeism rate is also above the county median, which parents may want to explore further with school leadership, as attendance patterns can both reflect and contribute to academic outcomes.

A significant shift is underway in how the district teaches. Eureka City Schools is moving to Personalized, Competency-Based Learning across all schools, moving away from traditional grades toward mastery-based progression. In this model, students are referred to as learners and teachers as learning guides or facilitators, with an emphasis on collaboration over directive instruction. This is a fundamental change in daily classroom experience and how student progress is measured and reported. Families considering the district should understand this pedagogical approach, as it differs substantially from traditional grading and instruction.

The district holds property in Eureka and nearby areas where housing values are moderate by state standards. The rental and homeownership markets show modest affordability challenges relative to national benchmarks. Late in the previous year, the district refinanced a portion of voter-approved bonds, reducing future property tax obligations for district residents.

Graduation rate data for the district was not available in the provided information. Per-pupil spending falls in the lower-to-middle range compared to other county districts. The district operates two high schools, two middle schools, and four elementary schools.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

3,538

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 27%

Black 2%

White 43%

Asian 11%

Two+ 12%

Am. Indian / AK Native 4%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 2%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

32%

—

Gr 3

27%

39%

Gr 4

24%

53%

Gr 5

26%

50%

Gr 6

27%

48%

Gr 7

34%

63%

Gr 8

42%

53%

Gr 11

42%

—

Math

Gr ALL

20%

—

Gr 3

26%

45%

Gr 4

25%

47%

Gr 5

20%

44%

Gr 6

10%

25%

Gr 7

21%

46%

Gr 8

18%

35%

Gr 11

16%

—

Science

Gr ALL

22%

—

Gr 5

18%

41%

Gr 8

24%

38%

Gr 10

24%

—

Gr 11

27%

—

Gr 12

18%

—

Gr HS

21%

—

Gr UG_SEC

21%

—

Schools in this District

8 schools are officially reported under this district.

Alice Birney Elementary

Catherine L. Zane Middle

Eureka Senior High

Grant Elementary

Lafayette Elementary

Washington Elementary

Zoe Barnum High

Winship Middle

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

29%

Grade 3

28%

Grade 4

24%

Grade 5

14%

Grade 6

28%

Grade 7

23%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

28%

Grade 3

29%

Grade 4

30%

Grade 5

32%

Grade 6

42%

Grade 7

45%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

22%

Grade 5

28%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

45%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$411,170

Year-over-year change-3.7%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$392K to $489K

vs. state typical0.53x

vs. national typical1.12x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
95501	Eureka	$392K	-4.2%	50.7%
95503	Eureka	$431K	-3.3%	49.1%
95521	Arcata	$489K	-4.3%	0.3%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,600/mo

Year-over-year change+1.0%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$1,416 to $1,792/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
95501	Eureka	$1,416	+1.0%	50.7%
95503	Eureka	$1,792	—	49.1%
95521	Arcata	$1,549	+1.8%	0.3%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$2,075/mo

Home price / national median income4.9x

Annual rent / national median income22.9%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$474/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.