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Below Average

#619 of 691 schools in NV

Cottonwood Elementary School

Elementary School · Lyon

925 Farm District Road, Fernley, NV 89408

Enrollment

575

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Nevada schools

#619 of 691

In Fernley

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#15 of 18

Lyon

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Cottonwood Elementary School

4.3/10

Elementary School in Fernley · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lyon County Adult Education

Nearby

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

Fernley High School

4.2/10

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

About Cottonwood Elementary School

Cottonwood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fernley, NV, part of Lyon. Cottonwood Elementary School serves approximately 575 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 19.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Cottonwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #619 of 691 schools in NV.

Structured state assessment records for Cottonwood Elementary School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • NV avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Cottonwood Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.6% (2025 SBAC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.7% (2025 SBAC)
Math vs. State Avg-9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.1 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2025 SBAC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 SBAC)
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,944
Chronic Absenteeism48%

Cottonwood Elementary School — Students at Cottonwood Elementary School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NV SBAC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.6% (2025 SBAC)
ELA Proficiency 50.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (2025 SBAC)

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
75%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2025
Math
26.6%
ELA
28.7%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Cottonwood Elementary School Compares

See how Cottonwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
11th percentile in NV
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

Location

925 Farm District Road, Fernley, NV 89408

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cottonwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lahontan Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Fallon), which scores notably higher. Another option is VAN GORDER ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 24.3 miles away, in nearby Sparks), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillside Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 22.7 miles away, in nearby Sparks), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fernley, see our Fernley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Lyon County Adult Education Fernley 1.1 mi
Fernley High School Fernley 1.0 mi 4.2
A STEP AHEAD Fernley 1.1 mi 3.2
Fernley Elementary School Fernley 1.3 mi 5.6
Fernley Intermediate School Fernley 1.3 mi 4.3
Silverland Middle School Fernley 1.7 mi 5.3
NATCHEZ ELEMENTARY Wadsworth 4.4 mi 6.4
East Valley Elementary School Fernley 4.9 mi 6.6
Silver Stage Middle School Silver Springs 14.2 mi 4.7
Silver Stage Elementary School Silver Springs 14.3 mi 3.8
Silver Stage High School Silver Springs 14.4 mi 6.0
Eagle Ridge High School Silver Springs 14.4 mi
Pyramid Lake High School Nixon 17.7 mi
Riverview Elementary School Dayton 25.1 mi 4.9
Hillside Elementary School Sparks 22.7 mi 7.4
Oasis Academy Fallon 24.7 mi 8.3
LOGOS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fallon 24.9 mi 6.0
VAN GORDER ELEMENTARY Sparks 24.3 mi 8.5
Northside Early Learning Center Fallon 24.8 mi 4.5
Lahontan Elementary School Fallon 25.0 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 89408 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,723

Median Home Value

$352,600

Median Rent

$1,504/mo

Population

24,025

College Educated

15.7%

Homeownership

70.4%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

35.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LINCOLN PARK ELEMENTARY Sparks, NV 4.3
Battle Mountain Elementary School Battle Mountain, NV 4.2
Cunningham Cynthia ES Las Vegas, NV 4.2
Katz Edythe & Lloyd ES Las Vegas, NV 4.2
King Jr Martin Luther ES Las Vegas, NV 4.2
Yerington Elementary School Yerington, NV 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary School

What grades does Cottonwood Elementary School serve?

Cottonwood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary School?

Cottonwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 575 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cottonwood Elementary School rank in NV?

Cottonwood Elementary School ranks #619 of 691 schools in NV.

What is Cottonwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottonwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Cottonwood Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cottonwood Elementary School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cottonwood Elementary School a charter school?

No, Cottonwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cottonwood Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Cottonwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Elementary School?

99.7% of students at Cottonwood Elementary School 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Lyon County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

District

Lyon
District Enrollment
9,085
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,944
District Rank
#15 of 18

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