Point Arena is located 140 miles north of San Francisco on the beautiful coastline of southern Mendocino County.  Gray whales migrate along the shore, and the majestic coastal ridge range is covered with redwood and Douglas Fir.  Local industry includes fishing, dairy and beef farming, tourism and agriculture.  Point Arena and adjacent communities are home to many artists, poets and musicians, and offer high quality art shows, concerts and community activities that draw locals and a regular stream of visitors from the Bay Area and beyond.

The Point Arena Schools District is one of 10 Common Districts in the State, with a separate elementary school district (Arena Union Elementary SD) and high school district (Point Arena Joint Union HSD), with a common district office, superintendent, board of trustees and budget.

A New Tech Network school (NTN), Point Arena High School serves students from northern Sonoma County and southern Mendocino County, and as far inland as the Kashia Rancheria.

Arena Union Elementary School serves students from Gualala to Manchester, and the Point Arena/Manchester Band of Pomo Indians Rancherias.

Arena Union Elementary School was honored as one of California Gold Ribbon Schools! The only elementary school in Mendocino to receive this award in 2016.

The district also includes the Pacific Community Charter School, South Coast Continuation High School, the independent study program, K-8 After School Program and State Preschool.

The school community is diverse population including 55% Hispanic, 10% Native American and 36% White.  The EL population is about 25% and 66% of the District’s students qualify for the free/reduced lunch program.  The district is Community funded (Basic Aid), and serves 650 students grades Pre-K-12.