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
Enrollment
1,278
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Sparks High School — Students at Sparks High School score 8% 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
↓ 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: 7.8/10.
How Sparks High School Compares
See how Sparks High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 8% (2019) to 6% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (775) 353-5550
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washoe County- District Enrollment
- 63,777
- Schools in District
- 115
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,870
- District Rank
- #95 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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