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Below Average

#7767 of 9,533 schools in CA

Nevada Union High

High School · Nevada Joint Union High

11761 Ridge Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95945

Enrollment

1,457

Student-Teacher

23.9:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grass Valley

#19 of 21

public schools

California high schools

#1,646 of 1,892

In district

#4 of 5

Nevada Joint Union High

About Nevada Union High

Nevada Union High serves 1,457 students in grades 9-12 in Grass Valley, California, operating with 61 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 23.9:1. This regular public high school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks in the 53rd percentile statewide, placing it at #4,477 among California's 9,566 schools. Academically, the school shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 58% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents more significant challenges, with 29% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating room for growth in STEM subjects. The school's overall academic score of 6.7 out of 10 reflects these mixed results. Nevada Union High sits in a community where the median household income is $59,943 and about one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The local poverty rate stands at 12.5%, while median home values reach $474,100, suggesting a mix of economic circumstances among families in the area. Located on Ridge Road in this Nevada County town of nearly 27,400 residents, the school serves a community nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, where students experience both small-town familiarity and access to the natural beauty of Northern California.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Nevada Union High is 23.9:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.7%
Math vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,765

Nevada Union High — Students at Nevada Union High score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 59.9%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
39%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
53%
2024
Math
28.5%
ELA
57.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Nevada Union High Compares

See how Nevada Union High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
19th percentile in CA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers

Location

11761 Ridge Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95945

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nevada Union High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bitney Prep High (rated 8.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is William & Marian Ghidotti High (rated 7.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Silver Springs High (Continuation) (rated 6.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grass Valley, see our Grass Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
North Point Academy Grass Valley 0.1 mi 4.2
ECHO RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nevada City 0.4 mi 5.5
Echo Ridge Christian School Nevada City 0.4 mi
William & Marian Ghidotti High Grass Valley 0.5 mi 7.6
Bitney Prep High Grass Valley 0.8 mi 8.3
Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley 1.7 mi 6.7
Lyman Gilmore Middle Grass Valley 1.6 mi 6.3
Earle Jamieson Educational Options Nevada City 1.5 mi
Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley 1.8 mi 8.1
Nevada County Special Education Nevada City 1.6 mi 6.0
Deer Creek Elementary Nevada City 1.6 mi 5.3
Seven Hills Intermediate Nevada City 1.6 mi 5.9
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary Grass Valley 1.7 mi 4.5
Mount St. Mary Academy Grass Valley 1.9 mi
Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley 2.0 mi 6.7
Yuba River Charter Grass Valley 1.8 mi 7.5
Forest Charter Nevada City 2.0 mi 4.6
John Muir Charter Grass Valley 2.3 mi 6.4
Union Hill Elementary Grass Valley 2.6 mi 6.7
Union Hill Middle Grass Valley 2.6 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95945 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,068

Median Home Value

$496,600

Median Rent

$1,420/mo

Population

27,675

College Educated

32.4%

Homeownership

56.4%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

49.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nevada Union High has a median household income of $61,068. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $496,600, with a median rent of $1,420/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Arleta High Arleta, CA 4.9
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL Sacramento, CA 4.9
Cabrillo High Lompoc, CA 4.9
Center High Antelope, CA 4.9
Cesar Chavez High Stockton, CA 4.9
Grace M. Davis High Modesto, CA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nevada Union High

What grades does Nevada Union High serve?

Nevada Union High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Nevada Union High?

Nevada Union High has an enrollment of approximately 1,457 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nevada Union High?

The student-teacher ratio at Nevada Union High is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nevada Union High rank in CA?

Nevada Union High is ranked #7767 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Nevada Union High's MySchoolScout rating?

Nevada Union High has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Nevada Union High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nevada Union High has 30.3% math proficiency and 59.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nevada Union High a charter school?

No, Nevada Union High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Nevada Union High a Title I school?

No, Nevada Union High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nevada Union High?

39.3% of students at Nevada Union 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,743/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grass Valley). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,457
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
61
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Nevada County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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