Average
#472 of 691 schools in NV
Desert Heights Elementary
Elementary School · Washoe County
13948 MOUNT BISMARK STREET, Reno, NV 89506
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Nevada schools
#472 of 691
In Reno
#54 of 77
public schools
In district
#76 of 109
Washoe County
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Desert Heights Elementary
Elementary School in Reno · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sierra Nevada Academy Charter
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Silver Lake Elementary
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Heights Elementary
Desert Heights Elementary is a public elementary school in Reno, NV, part of Washoe County. Desert Heights Elementary serves approximately 507 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #472 of 691 schools in NV.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Heights Elementary show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- NV avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Desert Heights Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Heights Elementary — Students at Desert Heights Elementary score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NV SBAC (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NV 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: 5.9/10.
How Desert Heights Elementary Compares
See how Desert Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
13948 MOUNT BISMARK STREET, Reno, NV 89506
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Heights Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ROLLAN MELTON ELEMENTARY (rated 9.2/10, 7.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MAMIE TOWLES ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 8.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MICHAEL INSKEEP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Reno, see our Reno schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Nevada Academy Charter Reno | 0.2 mi | 3.2 |
| SILVER LAKE ELEMENTARY Reno | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| STEAD ELEMENTARY Reno | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| WILLIAM OBRIEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno | 2.1 mi | 4.4 |
| LEMMON VALLEY ELEMENTARY Reno | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| ALICE SMITH ELEMENTARY Reno | 4.0 mi | 5.4 |
| NORTH VALLEYS HIGH SCHOOL Reno | 4.5 mi | 3.3 |
| COLD SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno | 5.0 mi | 4.1 |
| NANCY GOMES ELEMENTARY Reno | 4.9 mi | 5.4 |
| MICHAEL INSKEEP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Reno | 5.6 mi | 8.7 |
| ROLLAN MELTON ELEMENTARY Reno | 7.5 mi | 9.2 |
| ESTHER BENNETT ELEMENTARY Sparks | 6.1 mi | 5.5 |
| TMCC MAGNET SCHOOL Reno | 7.2 mi | 7.1 |
| ROBERT MCQUEEN HIGH SCHOOL Reno | 8.2 mi | 5.8 |
| MAMIE TOWLES ELEMENTARY Reno | 8.2 mi | 8.8 |
| LOIS ALLEN ELEMENTARY Sparks | 7.2 mi | 3.9 |
| DESERT SKIES MIDDLE SCHOOL Sun Valley | 6.6 mi | 6.1 |
| ARCHIE CLAYTON PRE-A.P. ACADEMY Reno | 8.3 mi | 6.1 |
| PEAVINE ELEMENTARY Reno | 8.2 mi | 7.5 |
| ST ALBERT THE GREAT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Reno | 8.4 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 89506 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,557
Median Home Value
$377,500
Median Rent
$1,733/mo
Population
45,349
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
71.3%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
36.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ESTHER BENNETT ELEMENTARY Sparks, NV | 5.5 |
| Earl Ira J ES Las Vegas, NV | 5.5 |
| Griffith E W ES Las Vegas, NV | 5.5 |
| Hummel John R ES Las Vegas, NV | 5.5 |
| Lake Robert E ES Las Vegas, NV | 5.5 |
| RITA CANNAN ELEMENTARY Reno, NV | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Heights Elementary
What grades does Desert Heights Elementary serve?
Desert Heights Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Desert Heights Elementary?
Desert Heights Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 507 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Heights Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Heights Elementary is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Heights Elementary rank in NV?
Desert Heights Elementary ranks #472 of 691 schools in NV.
What is Desert Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Desert Heights Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Heights Elementary has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Desert Heights Elementary a charter school?
No, Desert Heights Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Heights Elementary a Title I school?
No, Desert Heights Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Heights Elementary?
100.0% of students at Desert Heights Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 507
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Washoe County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.3%
- Phone
- (775) 677-5444
Resources & Links
District
Washoe County- District Enrollment
- 63,777
- Schools in District
- 115
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,870
- District Rank
- #76 of 109
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