We view ourselves in Point Arena as a community on the edge, not only because of our remoteness, but because we are on the point where the San Andreas Fault meets the sea, on the edge of the continent overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In some ways we are on the edge of civilization. It is a three hour drive to a commercial airport or to a major city. The main access point into and out of our community is via wild and scenic Highway One, a long and winding road which skirts the precipitous cliffs of the Northern California coast.

Our community is on the edge also because nearly fifty percent are living below the poverty line, while at the same time we encompass a prosperous middle class and a wealthy retirement community. The major industries include: tourism, service, fishing, logging and agriculture.

Our school district boundaries encompass over 250 square miles, extending over twenty-five miles along Highway One. The demographics of our 570 students are approximately 65% Anglo, 20% Native American, 14% Hispanic, less than 1% African American and less than 1% Filipino/Pacific Islander.