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Schools in Alta Sierra · Nevada Joint Union High School District, Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary School District

Alta Sierra’s public schools outscore 58% of California districts

The grade covers the three public school districts serving Alta Sierra, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#374of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
44%
▼ 2 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
32%
▼ 1 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
86%
▼ 0 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.6K
▼ 12% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Nevada Joint Union High
Students per teacher
21.3
CA 21.6
Schools in town
1
3,437 students on the public path
In brief

Alta Sierra’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 559 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Alta Sierra’s, its schools beat 52%, lower than their 58% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Nevada Joint Union High spends $18,632 per student and Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary $14,026, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Alta Sierra’s grade

B Test scoresC Graduation

B: better than 58% of California school districts, #374 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 58%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (559)Better than 52%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,388 test results and a graduating class of 600 could put Alta Sierra anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Alta Sierra’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,388 in math, 2,387 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Alta Sierra, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Alta Sierra ElementaryPleasant Ridge Union Elementary School DistrictA−
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to B
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressB to A−

To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Three districts serve Alta Sierra

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Nevada Joint Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 5 schools · 2,571 students, up 4% since 2020–21 · 20.6 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$18,632CA $21,206 · FY2024
B
Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 4 schools · 1,440 students, up 16% since 2020–21 · 22.8 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$14,026CA $21,206 · FY2024
B+
Grass Valley Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 4 schools · 1,613 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 21.1 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$17,692CA $21,206 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, Nevada Joint Union High School District44%
State average 46.7% · 506 students tested
Math · 9–12, Nevada Joint Union High School District28%
State average 33.1% · 517 students tested
Reading · K–8, Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary School District47%
State average 46.7% · 853 students tested
Math · K–8, Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary School District37%
State average 33.1% · 849 students tested
Reading · K–8, Grass Valley Elementary School District42%
State average 46.7% · 1028 students tested
Math · K–8, Grass Valley Elementary School District31%
State average 33.1% · 1022 students tested

Alta Sierra vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Alta Sierra’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Alta SierraBPleasant Ridge Union Elementary K–8 · Grass Valley Elementary K–8 · Nevada Joint Union High 9–12

Every school in Alta Sierra

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Alta Sierraby address
Alta Sierra Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Grass Valley
A−
338 students24:1Rate it →
Also serving Alta Sierrain other towns
Lyman Gilmore Middle
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Grass Valley
C+
464 students19:1Rate it →
Magnolia Intermediate
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Grass Valley
B
410 students22:1Rate it →
Nevada Union High
High · Grades 9–12 · Grass Valley
B
1,561 students20:1Rate it →
Bear River High
High · Grades 9–12 · Grass Valley
A−
664 students24:1Rate it →

Questions about Alta Sierra’s schools

Are Alta Sierra’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Alta Sierra children attend outscore 58% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #374 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 52%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Alta Sierra in?

Nevada Joint Union High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 2,571 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Alta Sierra kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Nevada Union High and Bear River High.

What is Alta Sierra’s graduation rate?

86% of the class of 2023 in Nevada Joint Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Alta Sierra spend per student?

$18,632 in Nevada Joint Union High School District, $14,026 in Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary School District and $17,692 in Grass Valley Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Alta Sierra families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Alta Sierra → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.