Photo: AstroDominant · CC BY 4.0Grass Valley’s public schools outscore 52% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Grass Valley, 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.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% 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.
Grass Valley’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 271 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Grass Valley’s, its schools beat 81%, higher than their 52% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 30% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 92% 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 Grass Valley Elementary $17,692, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
John Muir Charter, Grass Valley Charter and Bitney Prep High are in town. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Grass Valley’s grade
B−: better than 52% of California school districts, #459 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Grass Valley, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Grass Valley · depends on your address
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary
Grades K–4 · 357 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Bell Hill Academy
Grades K–4 · 246 students · 22:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Grass Valley · depends on your address
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary
Grades K–4 · 357 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Bell Hill Academy
Grades K–4 · 246 students · 22:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Grass Valley · depends on your address
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary
Grades K–4 · 357 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Bell Hill Academy
Grades K–4 · 246 students · 22:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Grass Valley · depends on your address
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary
Grades K–4 · 357 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Bell Hill Academy
Grades K–4 · 246 students · 22:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Grass Valley · depends on your address
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary
Grades K–4 · 357 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Bell Hill Academy
Grades K–4 · 246 students · 22:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Grass Valley
Lyman Gilmore Middle
Grades 5–8 · 464 students · 19:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Grass Valley
Lyman Gilmore Middle
Grades 5–8 · 464 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Grass Valley
Lyman Gilmore Middle
Grades 5–8 · 464 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Grass Valley
Lyman Gilmore Middle
Grades 5–8 · 464 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Grass Valley · depends on your address
Nevada Union High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Bear River High
Grades 9–12 · 664 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Grass Valley · depends on your address
Nevada Union High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Bear River High
Grades 9–12 · 664 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Grass Valley · depends on your address
Nevada Union High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Bear River High
Grades 9–12 · 664 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Grass Valley · depends on your address
Nevada Union High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Bear River High
Grades 9–12 · 664 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Grass Valley runs its own schools through grade 8 (Grass Valley Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Nevada Joint Union High School District, shared with Nevada City. Its high school is in Grass Valley. Parts of Grass Valley (4% and 3% of its land) are served by Nevada City Elementary and Union Hill Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Grass Valley
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Grass Valley vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Grass Valley’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Grass Valley | B− | Grass Valley Elementary K–8 · Nevada Joint Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Grass Valley
10 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Early Childhood Education).
Questions about Grass Valley’s schools
Are Grass Valley’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Grass Valley children attend outscore 52% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #459 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 81%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Grass Valley in?
Two districts: Grass Valley Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Nevada Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Nevada City.
Where do Grass Valley kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Nevada Union High and Bear River High.
What is Grass Valley’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 Grass Valley spend per student?
$18,632 in Nevada Joint Union High 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 Grass Valley families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Grass Valley → 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.