Very Good
#215 of 689 schools in NV
Top 31% in state
Desert Heights Elementary
Elementary School · Washoe County
13948 MOUNT BISMARK STREET, Reno, NV 89506
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Reno
#32 of 68
public schools
Nevada elementary schools
#144 of 414
In district
#50 of 109
Washoe County
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Heights Elementary
Desert Heights Elementary is a public elementary school located in Reno, Nevada. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 507 students and employs 26 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1. The academic performance at Desert Heights Elementary is currently rated at 3.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it at the 45th percentile among Nevada schools with a state ranking of #384 out of 696.
While test scores in reading and math show that there's room for improvement, Desert Heights Elementary is focused on fostering student development and ensuring every child receives the support they need to succeed. The school’s location within Reno offers students access to urban resources and diverse community experiences. Desert Heights Elementary stands as an integral part of its neighborhood, serving families with a commitment to education and growth in a vibrant city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Desert Heights Elementary — Students at Desert Heights Elementary score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NV EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NV state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.5/10.
How Desert Heights Elementary Compares
See how Desert Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 21% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 28% (2019) to 29% (2022).
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. MAMIE TOWLES ELEMENTARY (rated 9.3/10, 8.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROLLAN MELTON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 7.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NANCY GOMES ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 2.9 |
| SILVER LAKE ELEMENTARY Reno | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| STEAD ELEMENTARY Reno | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| WILLIAM OBRIEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| LEMMON VALLEY ELEMENTARY Reno | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| ALICE SMITH ELEMENTARY Reno | 4.0 mi | 7.2 |
| NORTH VALLEYS HIGH SCHOOL Reno | 4.5 mi | 4.7 |
| COLD SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno | 5.0 mi | 4.1 |
| NANCY GOMES ELEMENTARY Reno | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
| MICHAEL INSKEEP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Reno | 5.6 mi | 6.7 |
| ROLLAN MELTON ELEMENTARY Reno | 7.5 mi | 8.4 |
| ESTHER BENNETT ELEMENTARY Sparks | 6.1 mi | 5.1 |
| TMCC MAGNET SCHOOL Reno | 7.2 mi | 5.4 |
| ROBERT MCQUEEN HIGH SCHOOL Reno | 8.2 mi | 7.7 |
| MAMIE TOWLES ELEMENTARY Reno | 8.2 mi | 9.3 |
| LOIS ALLEN ELEMENTARY Sparks | 7.2 mi | 5.3 |
| DESERT SKIES MIDDLE SCHOOL Sun Valley | 6.6 mi | 6.4 |
| ARCHIE CLAYTON PRE-A.P. ACADEMY Reno | 8.3 mi | 4.8 |
| PEAVINE ELEMENTARY Reno | 8.2 mi | 7.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Heights Elementary has a median household income of $86,557. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $377,500, with a median rent of $1,733/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Antonello Lee ES N. Las Vegas, NV | 7.1 |
| Bilbray James ES Las Vegas, NV | 7.1 |
| Coral Academy Elementary-South Reno, NV | 7.1 |
| Dayton Elementary School Dayton, NV | 7.1 |
| Discovery Charter School HillPointe Las Vegas, NV | 7.1 |
| East Valley Elementary School Fernley, NV | 7.1 |
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 is ranked #215 out of 689 schools in NV.
What is Desert Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Heights Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Desert Heights Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Heights Elementary has 19.0% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 10 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 27 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 32 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,979/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Reno). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (775) 677-5444
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washoe County- District Enrollment
- 63,777
- Schools in District
- 115
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,870
- District Rank
- #50 of 109
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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