Schools in 95959 — Nevada City, California: 6 schools. Average score 8.6 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

95959 has 6 ranked schools in Nevada City, averaging a Scope Score of 32.7/100 — 8.6 points below the state average of 41.3 (a state average weighted to 95959's own mix of school levels; CDE CAASPP 2025). Scores range from 17.9 to 44.3, a 26.4-point spread.

How 95959 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Nevada City School of the Arts with a Scope Score of 44 and 26.3% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism across 95959 averages 18.0%, near the state average of 18.8%, weighted to 95959's own level mix. CDE CAASPP 2025.

How 95959 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip	City	Miles	Schools	Avg Score	vs 95959
95959	Nevada City	—	6	32.7/100	—
95945	Grass Valley	3.6	9	43.1/100	+10.4
95949	Grass Valley	13.0	6	47.4/100	+14.7

Source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

School archetypes in 95959

2 Culture First4 Building Momentum

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

For the data nerds

All schools in 95959

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

Figures

Score range17.9 – 44.3

26.4 pts SchoolScope composite

Chronic absenteeismstate avg 18.8% (level-matched)

18.0% CDE Attendance 2025

Elementary Schools (4)

avg 28.1/1004 ranked elementary schools3 Needs Support, 1 Solid

#	School	Exceeded	Score
1	Nevada City School of the Arts Nevada County Office of Education Building Momentum	26.3%	68th percentile · SolidScope Score 44/100
2	Twin Ridges Home Study Charter Nevada County Office of Education Culture First	8.2%	22nd percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 25/100
3	Forest Charter Nevada County Office of Education Culture First	11.5%	21st percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 25/100
4	Grizzly Hill Twin Ridges Elementary Building Momentum	6.3%	7th percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 18/100

Middle Schools (1)

avg 41.8/1001 ranked middle schools1 Solid

#	School	Exceeded	Score
1	Seven Hills Intermediate Nevada City Elementary Building Momentum	22.9%	63rd percentile · SolidScope Score 42/100

High Schools (1)

avg 42.0/1001 ranked high schools1 Needs Support

#	School	Exceeded	Score
1	Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning Nevada Joint Union High Building Momentum	13.6%	17th percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 42/100

Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 6 schools in 95959Methodology · Explore all schools

Schools in 95959 on the map

Open these schools on the map →

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.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about 95959

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 95959 (Nevada City) good?

95959 has 6 ranked schools in Nevada City, averaging a Scope Score of 32.7/100 — 8.6 points below the state average, a benchmark weighted to 95959's own mix of school levels. 14.8% of students exceed the state standard on average. Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

What is the best school in 95959?

The highest-scoring school in zip code 95959 is Nevada City School of the Arts with a Scope Score of 44/100 and 26.3% of students exceeding the state standard. See full methodology.

How do 95959 schools compare to the state average?

Schools in zip code 95959 average a Scope Score of 32.7/100 — 8.6 points below the state average of 41.3, a state average weighted to zip code 95959's own mix of school levels. The exceeded rate averages 14.8% vs. 20.4% statewide (also level-weighted).

How many schools are in zip code 95959?

Zip code 95959 has 6 ranked 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 composite rating (0–100), built from publicly available California school data across academic-performance and school-climate signals. Full methodology and weights.

All California Schools Nevada County Office of Education Nevada Joint Union High Nevada City Schools Zip 95945 Zip 95949

Guides:10 California Schools That Outperform Their Zip Code

← Explore all schools