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Average

#272 of 689 schools in NV

Top 39% in state

Smith Valley Schools

School · Lyon

20 Day Lane, Smith, NV 89430

Enrollment

189

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Nevada schools

#7 of 22

In district

#8 of 18

Lyon

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Smith Valley Schools

Smith Valley Schools, located in the rural community of Smith, Nevada, offers education from preschool through high school. With an enrollment of 189 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 21 to 1, the school provides personalized attention for each learner. Despite having only nine full-time equivalent teachers, the small class sizes foster a close-knit community where students receive individualized support.

Smith Valley Schools has received a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks 37th percentile among Nevada schools. The school's academic performance shows that 39% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading, while only 22% meet or exceed proficiency standards in math. These scores suggest there is room for improvement in the curriculum and instructional methods.

Smith Valley Schools is situated in a remote rural area where community ties run deep. The school serves as a central hub for education and social activities, making it an integral part of local life.

What's said publicly about Smith Valley Schools

Sources: Wayback Machine

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Lyon County School District (LCSD) celebrated Laina Perez, a paraprofessional at Fernley Elementary School, as a recipient of the Grow Your Own Scholarship, which supports classified employees and substitute teachers in becoming licensed educators 2 . Fernley High School hosted a career fair allowing students to connect with industry professionals and explore career paths 2 . Students Mari Basaca Fuentes from Yerington High School and Blake Palmer from Dayton High School were selected to serve on Nevada’s Superintendent’s Advisory Group of Education (NV SAGE), providing student perspectives on educational policies 2 . At Silver Stage Middle and High Schools, teacher Rachel Leach leads a one-acre community garden program in partnership with Green Our Planet and the Healthy Communities Coalition, focusing on sustainability and agriculture 2 . The American Dream Network filmed this initiative at Silver Stage Schools 2 . Silver Stage High School also hosted an Options Fair for students 2 . Additionally, Trey Lundeen, a student-athlete from Dayton High School, was named the NIAA Western Representative 2 .
Sources (1)
  1. web.archive.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 189 students, Smith Valley Schools is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Smith Valley Schools is 21:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Smith Valley Schools may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness7.2Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,928

Smith Valley Schools — Students at Smith Valley Schools score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NV EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NV state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
42%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Smith Valley Schools Compares

See how Smith Valley Schools performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
61th percentile in NV
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

20 Day Lane, Smith, NV 89430

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smith Valley Schools may also want to explore other schools in the area. Gardnerville Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 24.3 miles away, in nearby Gardnerville), which scores notably higher. Another option is G. L. Scarselli Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Gardnerville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Coleville High (rated 7.4/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Coleville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Smith, see our Smith schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Yerington Elementary School Yerington 15.6 mi 7.2
Yerington High School Yerington 15.8 mi 4.4
Yerington Intermediate School Yerington 15.8 mi 6.9
Coleville High Coleville 18.9 mi 7.4
Antelope Elementary Coleville 19.0 mi 5.3
Jacobsen High School Gardnerville 18.0 mi
Pau Wa Lu Middle School Gardnerville 22.1 mi 6.1
G. L. Scarselli Elementary School Gardnerville 22.2 mi 7.7
C. C. Meneley Elementary School Gardnerville 22.7 mi 4.2
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gardnerville 22.9 mi 4.2
ALT School Minden 24.2 mi
ASPIRE Academy High School Minden 24.2 mi 6.0
Douglas County Adult School Minden 24.2 mi
Douglas Nevada Online Minden 24.2 mi
Gardnerville Elementary School Gardnerville 24.3 mi 7.9
Carson Valley Middle School Gardnerville 24.8 mi 6.5
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHILD CARE CTR & KINDERGARTEN Gardnerville 25.0 mi 5.4
Minden Elementary School Minden 25.6 mi 4.5
Pinon Hills Elementary School Minden 27.0 mi 7.2
Douglas High School Minden 26.6 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 89430 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$170,571

Median Home Value

$670,800

Population

84

College Educated

0%

Homeownership

75.9%

Poverty Rate

0%

Median Age

47.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smith Valley Schools has a median household income of $170,571. It is a community where 0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $670,800. The local poverty rate of 0.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Stewart Helen J Las Vegas, NV 6.8
EXCEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sparks, NV 6.9
MONTESSORI VISIONS ACADEMY Las Vegas, NV 6.9
WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Las Vegas, NV 7.3
CALVARY CHAPEL GREEN VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Las Vegas, NV 7.4
SAGE RIDGE SCHOOL Reno, NV 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smith Valley Schools

What grades does Smith Valley Schools serve?

Smith Valley Schools serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Smith Valley Schools?

Smith Valley Schools has an enrollment of approximately 189 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith Valley Schools?

The student-teacher ratio at Smith Valley Schools is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smith Valley Schools rank in NV?

Smith Valley Schools is ranked #272 out of 689 schools in NV.

What is Smith Valley Schools's MySchoolScout rating?

Smith Valley Schools has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Smith Valley Schools?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith Valley Schools has 22.0% math proficiency and 38.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Smith Valley Schools a charter school?

No, Smith Valley Schools is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smith Valley Schools a Title I school?

No, Smith Valley Schools is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smith Valley Schools?

13.2% of students at Smith Valley Schools 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

County Safety
Elevated (892/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Lyon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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