Arcata Elementary School

Great school. Great art and geography programs. Dedicated teachers. Great for special education kids. Wish there was a school like that where we moved.
--Submitted by a parent

The staff is wonderful, they all love their job and the students benefit exponentially because of it!
--Submitted by a parent

I woudl say by far this is one of the best schools in Humboldt County. My two children went here and we found the educatoin to be great. The PTA is very involved, there is a high number of extracurricular education, and a rounded education that doesn't focus soley on math and english but also geography, art, and having fun. Great students, great parents. Great special education program. I wish we had a school like this in our area now. It felt like a free private education. HIghly recommend.
--Submitted by a parent

I wanted to say to those looking at this school for special needs children, it has changed from 'Sunset' school to Arcata ELementary. The name change came when Bloomfield School of global Studies closed and merged with Sunset, and it became Arcata Elementary with a focus on global studies and the arts. The special education team came from Bloomfield and now they have a first rate special day class, which works hard to include students and mainstream, while understanding their unique challenges. Great school and great for special ed kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Just moved here from the Bay Area and my daughter completed her kindergarten year at Arcata Elementary. The school is excellent at creating a small community feel. Parent involvement is high, the teachers are obviously professional and caring, and Principal Flenner is receptive and aware. Love this school!
--Submitted by a parent

Moved from Ohio and the school has just been great about everything!
--Submitted by a parent

The faculty and staff at Sunset really understand that all children are different and learn differently and at different paces. I would recommend this school to anyone!
--Submitted by a parent

I have three sons who have gone to Sunset Shool. We found the teachers here to be dedicated, caring, creative and effective educators. The school has kept it's specialty of incoporating the arts, visual, musical, and drama, dispite state education cutbacks. There are various experiences for the students , performance, activity and educational, connected with the local Humboldt State University. Sunset has been a California Distinguished School for several years, judged by the level of student test scores and other factors. I have been able to reach teachers to discuss concerns about my children's school performance and experience, and together we have been able to come up with workable stratagies to help solve problems. My son was benefitted by the extra reading tutoring program offered from kindergarten on at this school as well. Altogether we are very happy with Sunset School of the Arts.
--Submitted by D. R., a parent

My son has been at Sunset from Kindergarten through 3rd grade. There are things I really enjoy and things that disappoint me about this school. My son has special needs that were difficult to obtain support for, after years of struggle and confusion. Some of the teachers are absolutely fabulous, very supportive, and available, while others, though good intentioned, fall short of being teachers that make the difference for their struggling students. The parent involvement is excellent and there are many opportunities to get involved in enjoyable fundraising opportunities--carnivals, etc. The childcare program is terrific and run by patient and kind staff.
--Submitted by a parent