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Average

#3747 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 39% in state

Bear River High

High School · Nevada Joint Union High

11130 Magnolia Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95949

Enrollment

634

Student-Teacher

20.5:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,747 of 9,539

In Grass Valley

#8 of 21

public schools

In district

#2 of 5

Nevada Joint Union High

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Bear River High

6.9/10

High School in Grass Valley · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Magnolia Intermediate

5.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cottage Hill Elementary

4.4/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bear River High

Bear River High is a public high school in Grass Valley, CA, part of Nevada Joint Union High. Bear River High serves approximately 634 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Bear River High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,747 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Bear River High show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Bear River High runs 20.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Bear River High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+7.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.8 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation18.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,126
Chronic Absenteeism18.8%

Bear River High — Students at Bear River High score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 75.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 28 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
82%
2020*
ELA
67%
2021*
ELA
67%
2024
Math
35.8%
ELA
68.7%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Bear River High Compares

See how Bear River High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
61th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.6
Sports
4
3 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
18.1% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
3 boys'·1 girls'·24 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. WEIMAR ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Weimar), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Colfax High (rated 7.1/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Colfax), with a very similar rating. 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 5.2
Cottage Hill Elementary Grass Valley 0.6 mi 4.4
Forest Lake Christian School Auburn 1.9 mi
Arete Charter Academy Grass Valley 2.7 mi 7.7
Sierra Hills Elementary Meadow Vista 4.7 mi 6.4
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 5.1
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 5.5
PINE HILLS ADVENTIST ACADEMY Auburn 7.3 mi 5.4
Pine Hills Adventist Academy Auburn 7.3 mi
Wolf Mountain Christian School Grass Valley 7.3 mi
Bowman Charter Auburn 7.8 mi 7.7
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn 7.9 mi 5.7
Clear Creek Elementary Grass Valley 7.6 mi 6.8
Auburn Elementary Auburn 8.1 mi 3.9
Colfax High Colfax 7.3 mi 7.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aspire Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA 6.9
Big Bear High Big Bear Lake, CA 6.9
Escalon High Escalon, CA 6.9
Middletown High Middletown, CA 6.9
ST JOSEPH NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Alameda, CA 6.9
Santa Cruz County Community Santa Cruz, CA 6.9

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 ranks #3,747 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Bear River High's MySchoolScout rating?

Bear River High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bear River High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bear River High has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.8%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Nevada Joint Union High
District Enrollment
2,544
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,126
District Rank
#2 of 5

How we rate schools

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