Fortuna Union High

Fortuna Union High sits in one of Humboldt County's quieter, more tight-knit towns — the kind of place where Friday night football still means something and teachers tend to know their students by name. Academics here are more of a work in progress, with scores in the lower quarter statewide, so families with strong academic priorities may want to weigh their options or get involved early. That said, Fortuna itself has a genuine small-town charm, surrounded by redwoods and river valleys, and for families drawn to that rural Northern California lifestyle, this school is very much a part of the community fabric.