Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Sun Valley’s public schools outscore 63% of Nevada districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Sun Valley, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Sun Valley’s districts is 32%, above the Nevada average (28%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Nevada, not nationally.
From Nevada state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.
Sun Valley’s schools, in brief
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 46% and math 32% in spring 2022, against 44% and 28% statewide; 81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,902 per student, against $14,868 across Nevada (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and 14 high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. 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.
What’s behind Sun Valley’s grade
B: better than 63% of Nevada school districts, #7 of 42 Nevada towns. Test scores are above the Nevada average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Sun Valley, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Sun Valley · depends on your address
Esther Bennett Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 529 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sparks
Lois Allen Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 478 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Sparks
Virginia Palmer Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 419 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sparks
6th grade in Sun Valley
Desert Skies Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 875 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Sun Valley
Desert Skies Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 875 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Sun Valley
Desert Skies Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 875 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Sun Valley’s public schools are run by Washoe County School District, which also serves Reno and Sparks. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
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
Sun Valley vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Nevada towns that share Sun Valley’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Valley | B | Washoe County |
| Sparks | B | Washoe County |
| Reno | B | Washoe County |
All 2 neighbors share Washoe County with Sun Valley, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Sun Valley
19 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Nevada’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Sun Valley’s schools
Are Sun Valley’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Nevada: the public schools Sun Valley children attend outscore 63% of Nevada’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #7 of 42 Nevada towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sun Valley in?
Washoe County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 63,412 students in 113 schools (2024–25).
Where do Sun Valley kids go to high school?
One of 14 high schools, depending on your address: North Valleys High School, Spanish Springs High School, Edward C. Reed High School, Procter R. Hug High School, Reno High School, Damonte Ranch High School, Robert McQueen High School, Galena High School, Earl Wooster High School, Sparks High School, Academy of Arts Careers & Tech, Incline High School, TMCC Magnet School and Gerlach K-12 School.
What is Sun Valley’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Washoe County School District graduated in four years, against 81% across Nevada.
How much does Sun Valley spend per student?
$13,902 in Washoe County School District (FY2024), against $14,868 across Nevada. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Sun Valley families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sun 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 Nevada. Stars are from neighbors.