Best Schools in Nevada City, California
13 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Nevada City?
Use this page to compare every school in Nevada City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Nevada City School of the Arts
Elementary · Nevada City School of the Arts District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Seven Hills Intermediate
Middle · Nevada City Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Forest Charter
Other · Nevada County Office of Education. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Nevada City for 2026 are Nevada City School of the Arts (7.9/10), Seven Hills Intermediate (6.3/10), and Forest Charter (5.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
13
9 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$603,200
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Schools
13
9 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$603,200
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Rates 7.9/10 despite 47% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Nevada City schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Nevada City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 rated schools; 13 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada City School of the Arts | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Seven Hills Intermediate | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Forest Charter | 5.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning | 5.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Grizzly Hill | 5.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Twin Ridges Home Study Charter | 4.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Nevada County Special Education | 4.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Deer Creek Elementary | 3.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $79,509
- Median home value
- $603,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 45%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Nevada City compares
California rank
#555 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$80k
80% of California median
Schools in this city
8
Nevada City's public schools split across 5 districts
No single ISD owns Nevada City. The public campuses divide among 5 districts.
The largest shares: Nevada County Office of Education (4), Nevada City Elementary (2), Nevada City School of the Arts District (1).
Among 8 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.7 to 7.9 — the spread is inside Nevada City, not a citywide average.
- Nevada County Office of Education4 public · 44%
- Nevada City Elementary2 public · 22%
- Nevada City School of the Arts District1 public · 11%
- Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning District1 public · 11%
- Twin Ridges Elementary1 public · 11%
About Schools in Nevada City, California
Nevada City, California is home to 13 schools, including 9 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Nevada City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Nevada City is Nevada City School of the Arts with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Nevada City is served by 5 school districts. These districts collectively serve 2,660 students.
Nevada City's community shows 45% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,509. The poverty rate in the area is 10.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 460 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 110 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.1 | ||
| 3 | 220 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.6 | ||
| 4 | 68 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.3 | ||
| 5 | 274 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 3.7 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Echo Ridge Christian SchoolPrivate 29 students · Kindergarten–7th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 431 students · 4th–8th | 6.3 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 197 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 2 | 3 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Mountain Valley SchoolPrivate 27 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Mountain Valley SchoolPrivate 20 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 806 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.4 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Ananda Living Wisdom SchoolPrivate 20 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Nevada City
Nevada City, California · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$79,509
Median Home Value
$603,200
Median Rent
$1,715/mo
Population
18,017
College Educated
45%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Community Profile
Nevada City has a median household income of $79,509. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $603,200, with a median rent of $1,715/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 4
- Other
- 2
Resources
School Districts (5)
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Nevada City, California
How many schools are in Nevada City, California?
Nevada City has 13 schools, including 9 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Nevada City, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Nevada City is 5.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Nevada City, California?
The top-ranked school in Nevada City on MySchoolScout is Nevada City School of the Arts with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Nevada City, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Nevada City on MySchoolScout is Nevada City School of the Arts with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Nevada City, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Nevada City on MySchoolScout is Seven Hills Intermediate with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best high school in Nevada City, California?
The top-ranked high school in Nevada City on MySchoolScout is Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve Nevada City, California?
Nevada City is served by 5 school districts: Twin Ridges Elementary, Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning District, Nevada City School of the Arts District, Nevada City Elementary, Nevada County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Nevada City, California?
According to Census data, 45% of adults in Nevada City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Nevada City, California?
The median household income in Nevada City is approximately $79,509 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Nevada City, California?
Yes, Nevada City has 4 private schools alongside 9 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Nevada City, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Nevada City is 13.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Nevada City, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.