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Below Average

#613 of 691 schools in NV

Donner Springs Elementary

Elementary School · Washoe County

5125 Escuela Way, Reno, NV 89502

Enrollment

470

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Nevada schools

#613 of 691

In Reno

#70 of 77

public schools

In district

#99 of 109

Washoe County

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Donner Springs Elementary

4.4/10

Elementary School in Reno · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Edwin S. Dodson Elementary

6.9/10

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

Lighthouse Baptist Academy

Nearby

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

About Donner Springs Elementary

Donner Springs Elementary is a public elementary school in Reno, NV, part of Washoe County. Donner Springs Elementary serves approximately 470 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Donner Springs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #613 of 691 schools in NV.

Structured state assessment records for Donner Springs Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • NV avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Donner Springs 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 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19% (2025 SBAC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.6% (2025 SBAC)
Math vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2025 SBAC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 SBAC)
vs. Expected-13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,870
Chronic Absenteeism38.7%

Donner Springs Elementary — Students at Donner Springs Elementary score 21% 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

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NV SBAC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.6% (2025 SBAC)
ELA Proficiency 46.5% (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
68%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
28%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
28%
2025
Math
19%
ELA
23.6%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Donner Springs Elementary Compares

See how Donner Springs Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
11th percentile in NV
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.5/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.7%

Location

5125 Escuela Way, Reno, NV 89502

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Donner Springs Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NICK POULAKIDAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEVADA SAGE WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRIAD SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Reno, see our Reno schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
EDWIN S. DODSON ELEMENTARY Reno 1.0 mi 6.9
LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST ACADEMY Reno 1.4 mi
TRUCKEE MEADOWS SCHOOL Reno 1.9 mi 5.9
KENDYL DEPOALI MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno 2.0 mi 7.5
NORTH STAR ONLINE SCHOOL Reno 1.7 mi 5.0
TRIAD SCHOOL Reno 2.1 mi 7.5
ACADEMY OF ARTS CAREERS & TECH Reno 2.1 mi 7.3
NEVADA SAGE WALDORF SCHOOL Reno 2.1 mi 7.6
DOUBLE DIAMOND ELEMENTARY Reno 2.4 mi 6.4
NICK POULAKIDAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Reno 2.3 mi 9.2
WASHOE INSPIRE ACADEMY Reno 2.5 mi 3.5
Mariposa Language and Learning Academy Reno 2.0 mi 6.9
HIDDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY Reno 2.2 mi 7.2
EDWARD L. PINE MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno 2.0 mi 3.7
Coral Academy Elementary-South Reno 2.0 mi 5.3
SMITHRIDGE S.T.E.M. ACADEMY Reno 2.1 mi 7.5
Nevada State High School II Meadowwood Reno 2.3 mi 9.0
Nevada Connections Academy Reno 2.6 mi 4.1
Coral Academy High School Reno 2.2 mi 8.9
Academy For Career Education Reno 3.0 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 89502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,719

Median Home Value

$389,200

Median Rent

$1,243/mo

Population

45,708

College Educated

18.6%

Homeownership

34.7%

Avg Commute

19.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

35.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bell Rex ES Las Vegas, NV 4.5
Bendorf Patricia A ES Las Vegas, NV 4.5
ECHO LODER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Reno, NV 4.5
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA SCHOOL ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI Henderson, NV 4.5
Cottonwood Elementary School Fernley, NV 4.3
LINCOLN PARK ELEMENTARY Sparks, NV 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Donner Springs Elementary

What grades does Donner Springs Elementary serve?

Donner Springs Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Donner Springs Elementary?

Donner Springs Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 470 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Donner Springs Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Donner Springs Elementary is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Donner Springs Elementary rank in NV?

Donner Springs Elementary ranks #613 of 691 schools in NV.

What is Donner Springs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Donner Springs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Donner Springs Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Donner Springs Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Donner Springs Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Donner Springs Elementary a Title I school?

No, Donner Springs Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Donner Springs Elementary?

100.0% of students at Donner Springs 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
470
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Washoe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.7%

District

Washoe County
District Enrollment
63,777
Schools in District
115
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,870
District Rank
#99 of 109

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