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Below Average

#568 of 689 schools in NV

Sparks High School

High School · Washoe County

820 15TH ST, Sparks, NV 89431

Enrollment

1,278

Student-Teacher

22.8:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sparks

#27 of 31

public schools

Nevada high schools

#120 of 140

In district

#95 of 109

Washoe County

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Sparks High School

Sparks High School serves 1,278 students in grades 9-12 in the large suburban community of Sparks, Nevada. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.8 to 1, providing a substantial high school experience in Washoe County. The school currently faces significant academic challenges, with room for considerable growth in student achievement.

Only 10% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 6% achieve proficiency in mathematics across grade levels. These results place Sparks High School at #680 out of 696 Nevada high schools, indicating the school is focusing on fundamental student development and improvement strategies. The surrounding 89431 zip code reflects a working-class suburban environment, with a median household income of $61,968 and median home values around $303,200.

The community of over 40,000 residents has a 14.5% poverty rate, while 14% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting a neighborhood where educational advancement represents meaningful opportunity for families. Sparks High School sits in Nevada's second-largest city, part of the greater Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, offering students access to the resources and opportunities of a substantial suburban setting while maintaining a strong connection to the local Sparks community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sparks High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Sparks High School is 22.8:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-23.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,957

Sparks High School — Students at Sparks High School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
8%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
4%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
10%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Sparks High School Compares

See how Sparks High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in NV
Academic
1.7/10
1.7/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

820 15TH ST, Sparks, NV 89431

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sparks High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WASHOE INSPIRE ACADEMY (rated 5.9/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Reno), which scores notably higher. Another option is PROCTER R. HUG HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Academy For Career Education (rated 4.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Reno), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sparks, see our Sparks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
ROBERT MITCHELL ELEMENTARY Sparks 0.2 mi 4.7
KATE SMITH ELEMENTARY Sparks 0.5 mi 8.5
ALICE MAXWELL ELEMENTARY Sparks 0.8 mi 8.2
SPARKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Sparks 0.8 mi 4.1
AGNES RISLEY ELEMENTARY Sparks 0.8 mi 4.7
GREENBRAE ELEMENTARY Sparks 0.9 mi 6.8
GEORGE L. DILWORTH S.T.E.M ACADEMY Sparks 0.8 mi 5.5
LINCOLN PARK ELEMENTARY Sparks 0.9 mi 7.0
BERNICE MATHEWS ELEMENTARY Reno 0.9 mi 6.9
FLORENCE DRAKE ELEMENTARY Sparks 1.2 mi 8.9
Mater Academy of Northern Nevada Reno 1.1 mi 6.8
High Desert Montessori Reno 1.3 mi 6.7
PROCTER R. HUG HIGH SCHOOL Sparks 1.7 mi 5.2
RITA CANNAN ELEMENTARY Reno 1.4 mi 7.3
LENA JUNIPER ELEMENTARY Sparks 1.6 mi 8.7
FRED W. TRANER MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno 1.7 mi 5.1
WASHOE INSPIRE ACADEMY Reno 2.1 mi 5.9
Academy For Career Education Reno 2.1 mi 4.8
GLENN DUNCAN S.T.E.M. ACADEMY Reno 1.8 mi 4.5
EXCEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sparks 1.9 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 89431 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,496

Median Home Value

$332,000

Median Rent

$1,276/mo

Population

40,772

College Educated

14.3%

Homeownership

46.6%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

15%

Median Age

35.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sparks High School has a median household income of $64,496. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,000, with a median rent of $1,276/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Nevada Connections Academy Reno, NV 4.8
West Preparatory Institute J-SHS Las Vegas, NV 4.8
Churchill County High School Fallon, NV 5.1
Pahrump Valley High School Pahrump, NV 4.5
Fernley High School Fernley, NV 5.2
Elko High School Elko, NV 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sparks High School

What grades does Sparks High School serve?

Sparks High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Sparks High School?

Sparks High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,278 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sparks High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sparks High School is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sparks High School rank in NV?

Sparks High School is ranked #568 out of 689 schools in NV.

What is Sparks High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sparks High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Sparks High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sparks High School has 6.0% math proficiency and 13.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sparks High School a charter school?

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

Is Sparks High School a Title I school?

No, Sparks High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sparks High School?

100.0% of students at Sparks High 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
84 Very Walkable
Bike Score
64 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,987/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sparks). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,278
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Washoe County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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