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Elementary Schools in Nevada City, California: 4 schools. Average score 9.3 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 34.0/100

Nevada City, California has 4 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 34.0/100 — 9.3 points below the state average of 43.2. The highest-scoring school is Nevada City School of the Arts at 49/100, where 26.3% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Nevada City schools average 13.1% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.8% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
34.0
State avg: 43.2
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
23.4
26.0 – 49.3
Avg Exceeded %
13.1%
State avg: 21.3%
Chronic Absenteeism
15.8%
State avg: 17.9%
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary4Developing
34.0/100
13.1%-9.3
High1Developing
35.8/100
13.6%-7.9
Middle1Developing
44.8/100
22.9%+4.4

How Nevada City schools compare

Nevada City has 4 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 34.0/100 — 9.3 points below the state average of 43.2 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Nevada City School of the Arts with a Scope Score of 49 and 26.3% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Nevada City averages 15.8% — below the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%

School archetypes in Nevada City

2 Culture First2 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in Nevada City

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Nevada City School of the Arts
Nevada County Office of Education Building Momentum
26.3%Developing
49/100
2Seven Hills Intermediate
Nevada City Elementary Building Momentum
22.9%Developing
45/100
3Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning
Nevada Joint Union High Building Momentum
13.6%Developing
36/100
4Forest Charter
Nevada County Office of Education Culture First
11.5%Developing
32/100
5Twin Ridges Home Study Charter
Nevada County Office of Education Culture First
8.2%Needs Support
29/100
6Grizzly Hill
Twin Ridges Elementary Building Momentum
6.3%Needs Support
26/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 6 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Nevada City

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Nevada City

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Nevada City good?
Nevada City's 4 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 34.0/100, which is 9.3 points below the state average. 13.1% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights seven dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), ELPAC proficiency (5%), suspension rate (5%), and baseline proficiency (3%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Nevada City?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Nevada City is Nevada City School of the Arts with a Scope Score of 49/100 and 26.3% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Nevada City schools compare to the state average?
Nevada City elementary schools average a Scope Score of 34.0/100 — 9.3 points below the state average of 43.2. The exceeded rate averages 13.1% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 15.8% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Nevada City?
Nevada City has 4 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.