Average
#6852 of 9,533 schools in CA
Bear River High
High School · Nevada Joint Union High
11130 Magnolia Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95949
Enrollment
634
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
634
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grass Valley
#17 of 21
public schools
California high schools
#1,473 of 1,892
In district
#3 of 5
Nevada Joint Union High
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Bear River High
Bear River High serves 634 students in grades 9-12 in Grass Valley, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1 and 31 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 76th percentile statewide at #2249 out of 9566 California schools. Academically, Bear River High shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 69% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents more opportunity for growth, with 36% of students reaching proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 7.7 out of 10 reflects a commitment to student achievement with room for continued improvement in certain subject areas. The school draws from a stable community in Nevada County where the median household income reaches $90,293 and median home values sit at $508,300.
About one-third of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 7.6%. The ZIP code area encompasses over 21,000 residents who value educational opportunities for their children. Bear River High is situated in a rural setting near the historic Gold Country town of Grass Valley, providing students with both natural beauty and small-town community connections.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Bear River High is 20.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Bear River High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Bear River High — Students at Bear River High score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 7 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.7/10.
How Bear River High Compares
See how Bear River High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 35.76% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 68.67% (2024).
Location
11130 Magnolia Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95949
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bear River High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Colfax High (rated 8.1/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Colfax), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WEIMAR ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Weimar), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grass Valley, see our Grass Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Magnolia Intermediate Grass Valley | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Cottage Hill Elementary Grass Valley | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Forest Lake Christian School Auburn | 1.9 mi | — |
| Arete Charter Academy Grass Valley | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Sierra Hills Elementary Meadow Vista | 4.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Christian Encounter High School Grass Valley | 5.1 mi | — |
| CHRISTIAN ENCOUNTER HIGH SCHOOL Grass Valley | 5.1 mi | — |
| Alta Sierra Elementary Grass Valley | 5.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Live Oak Waldorf School Meadow Vista | 5.0 mi | — |
| LIVE OAK WALDORF SCHOOL Meadow Vista | 5.0 mi | 6.3 |
| WEIMAR ACADEMY Weimar | 5.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Weimar Hills Weimar | 5.2 mi | 5.6 |
| PINE HILLS ADVENTIST ACADEMY Auburn | 7.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Pine Hills Adventist Academy Auburn | 7.3 mi | — |
| Wolf Mountain Christian School Grass Valley | 7.3 mi | — |
| Bowman Charter Auburn | 7.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn | 7.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Grass Valley | 7.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Auburn Elementary Auburn | 8.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Colfax High Colfax | 7.3 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95949 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,309
Median Home Value
$551,700
Median Rent
$1,827/mo
Population
20,709
College Educated
32.3%
Homeownership
86.2%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
54.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bear River High has a median household income of $90,309. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $551,700, with a median rent of $1,827/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Launch Virtual Academy San Diego, CA | 5.4 |
| PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Burbank, CA | 5.4 |
| S.F. International High San Francisco, CA | 5.4 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Lakewood, CA | 5.4 |
| Yreka High Yreka, CA | 5.4 |
| ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE San Diego, CA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bear River High
What grades does Bear River High serve?
Bear River High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Bear River High?
Bear River High has an enrollment of approximately 634 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bear River High?
The student-teacher ratio at Bear River High is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bear River High rank in CA?
Bear River High is ranked #6852 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Bear River High's MySchoolScout rating?
Bear River High has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bear River High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bear River High has 41.2% math proficiency and 71.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bear River High a charter school?
No, Bear River High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bear River High a Title I school?
No, Bear River High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bear River High?
27.0% of students at Bear River High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,743/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grass Valley). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 634
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Nevada County
- Phone
- (530) 268-3700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nevada Joint Union High- District Enrollment
- 2,544
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,126
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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