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Best Public Schools in Nevada County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Nevada County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 45 public schools serving 13,206 students in Nevada County, CA (there are 9 private schools, serving 559 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Nevada County, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Nevada County, CA are Donner Trail Elementary School, William & Marian Ghidotti High School and Glenshire Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Nevada County, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Nevada County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Nevada County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Donner Trail Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
52755 Donner Pass Rd.
Soda Springs, CA 95728
(530) 582-2720
Gr: K-5 | 55 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
William & Marian Ghidotti High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
250 Sierra College Dr.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 274-5270
Gr: 9-12 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Glenshire Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10990 Dorchester Dr.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-3720
Gr: K-5 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
Sierra Expeditionary Learning
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11603 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-3701
Gr: K-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #55.
Williams Ranch Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
14804 Pleasant Valley Rd.
Penn Valley, CA 95946
(530) 432-7300
Gr: K-3 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #66.
Deer Creek Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
805 Lindley Ave.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-1870
Gr: K-3 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #77.
Nevada City School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
13032 Bitney Springs Rd. Bldg.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 273-7736
Gr: K-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #88.
Alta Sierra Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
16607 Annie Dr.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 272-2319
Gr: K-5 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #99.
Seven Hills Intermediate
(Math: 46% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
700 Hoover Ln.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-1840
Gr: 4-8 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1010.
Clear Creek Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
17700 Mccourtney Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 273-3664
Gr: K-8 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1111.
Tahoe Truckee High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
11725 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-2600
Gr: 9-12 | 907 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1212.
Alder Creek Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10931 Alder Dr.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-2750
Gr: 6-8 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1313.
Bell Hill Academy
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
342 South School St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-2281
Gr: K-4 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1414.
Sierra High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
11661 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-2640
Gr: 9-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1515.
Grass Valley Charter
Charter School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
225 South Auburn St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-8723
Gr: K-8 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1616.
Yuba River Charter
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10085 Adam Ave.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 272-6060
Gr: K-8 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1717.
Earle Jamieson Educational Options
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
112 Nevada City Hwy.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 272-5464
Gr: 6-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1818.
Truckee Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
11911 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-2650
Gr: K-5 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1919.
Magnolia Intermediate
(Math: 34% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
22431 Kingston Ln.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 268-2815
Gr: 6-8 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2020.
Forest Charter
Charter School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
470 Searls Ave.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-4823
Gr: K-12 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2121.
Twin Ridges Home Study Charter
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
111 New Mohawk Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 478-1815
Gr: K-8 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2222.
Cottage Hill Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
22600 Kingston Ln.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 268-2808
Gr: K-5 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2323.
Bear River High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
11130 Magnolia Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 268-3700
Gr: 9-12 | 664 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2424.
Union Hill Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
11638 Colfax Hwy.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-8456
Gr: K-6 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2525.
Sierra Academy Of Expeditionary Learning
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
505 Main St.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 268-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 191 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2626.
Chicago Park Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
15725 Mt. Olive Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 346-2153
Gr: K-8 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2727.
Ready Springs Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
10862 Spenceville Rd.
Penn Valley, CA 95946
(530) 432-1118
Gr: 4-8 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2828.
Nevada Union High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
11761 Ridge Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-4431
Gr: 9-12 | 1,561 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2929.
Lyman Gilmore Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
10837 Rough And Ready Hwy.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-8479
Gr: 5-8 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #3030.
Arete Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
16229 Duggans Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 268-2805
Gr: K-8 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #3131.
Chicago Park Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
15725 Mount Olive Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 346-2153
Gr: K-8 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #3232.
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
10821 Squirrel Creek Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-6472
Gr: K-4 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #3333.
North Point Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
11761 Ridge Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 477-1225
Gr: 9-12 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Bitney Prep High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
135 Joerschke Dr.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 477-1235
Gr: 9-12 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Vantage Point Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
10862 Spenceville Rd.
Penn Valley, CA 95946
(530) 432-5312
Gr: K-12 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Nevada County, CA?
The top-ranked public schools in Nevada County, CA include Donner Trail Elementary School, William & Marian Ghidotti High School and Glenshire Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Nevada County?
46 public schools are located in Nevada County.
What percentage of students in Nevada County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Nevada County are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Nevada County?
Nevada County public schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Nevada County are often viewed compared to one another?

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