Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0Nevada City’s public schools outscore 72% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Nevada City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 37% of Nevada City’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). 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 91% 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.
Nevada City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 517 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Nevada City’s, its schools beat 89%, higher than their 72% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 37% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Nevada City Elementary spends $15,596 per student and Nevada Joint Union High $18,632, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning, Forest Charter and Twin Ridges Home Study Charter 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 Nevada City’s grade
B+: better than 72% of California school districts, #225 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Nevada City, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Nevada City
Deer Creek Elementary
Grades K–3 · 259 students · 22:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Nevada City
Deer Creek Elementary
Grades K–3 · 259 students · 22:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Nevada City
Deer Creek Elementary
Grades K–3 · 259 students · 22:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Nevada City
Deer Creek Elementary
Grades K–3 · 259 students · 22:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Nevada City
Seven Hills Intermediate
Grades 4–8 · 432 students · 21:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Nevada City
Seven Hills Intermediate
Grades 4–8 · 432 students · 21:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Nevada City
Seven Hills Intermediate
Grades 4–8 · 432 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Nevada City
Seven Hills Intermediate
Grades 4–8 · 432 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Nevada City
Seven Hills Intermediate
Grades 4–8 · 432 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Nevada City · depends on your address
Nevada Union High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Grass Valley
Bear River High
Grades 9–12 · 664 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Grass Valley
10th grade in Nevada City · depends on your address
Nevada Union High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Grass Valley
Bear River High
Grades 9–12 · 664 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Grass Valley
11th grade in Nevada City · depends on your address
Nevada Union High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Grass Valley
Bear River High
Grades 9–12 · 664 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Grass Valley
12th grade in Nevada City · depends on your address
Nevada Union High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Grass Valley
Bear River High
Grades 9–12 · 664 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Grass Valley
Nevada City runs its own schools through grade 8 (Nevada City Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Nevada Joint Union High School District, shared with Grass Valley. Its high school is in Grass Valley. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Nevada City
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Nevada City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Nevada City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada City | B+ | Nevada City Elementary K–8 · Nevada Joint Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Nevada City
8 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 (Earle Jamieson Educational Options).
Questions about Nevada City’s schools
Are Nevada City’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Nevada City children attend outscore 72% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #225 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 89%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Nevada City in?
Two districts: Nevada City Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Nevada Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Grass Valley.
Where do Nevada City kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Nevada Union High and Bear River High.
What is Nevada City’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 Nevada City spend per student?
$15,596 in Nevada City Elementary School District and $18,632 in Nevada Joint Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Nevada City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Nevada City → 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.