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Below Average

#612 of 691 schools in NV

Sparks Middle School

Middle School · Washoe County

2275 18th Street, Sparks, NV 89431

Enrollment

606

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

4.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Nevada schools

#612 of 691

In Sparks

#31 of 35

public schools

In district

#98 of 109

Washoe County

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Sparks Middle School

4.4/10

Middle School in Sparks · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Agnes Risley Elementary

5.2/10

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

Alice Maxwell Elementary

7.2/10

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

About Sparks Middle School

Sparks Middle School is a public middle school in Sparks, NV, part of Washoe County. Sparks Middle School serves approximately 606 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Sparks Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #612 of 691 schools in NV.

Structured state assessment records for Sparks Middle School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • NV avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

60% of students at Sparks Middle School 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 Progress5.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.71 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.3% (2025 SBAC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.3% (2025 SBAC)
Math vs. State Avg-24.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.5 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2025 SBAC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 SBAC)
vs. Expected-19.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,870
Chronic Absenteeism59.9%

Sparks Middle School — Students at Sparks Middle School score 16% 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 27.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.6% (2025 SBAC)
ELA Proficiency 35.2% (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
55%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
33%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
46%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
29%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
21%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
24%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
24%
2022
Math
8%
ELA
21%
2025
Math
11.3%
ELA
20.3%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Sparks Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
12th percentile in NV
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
59.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2275 18th Street, Sparks, NV 89431

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sparks Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Coral Academy Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Reno), which scores notably higher. Another option is GEORGE L. DILWORTH S.T.E.M ACADEMY (rated 5.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FRED W. TRANER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Reno), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sparks, see our Sparks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
AGNES RISLEY ELEMENTARY Sparks 0.1 mi 5.2
ALICE MAXWELL ELEMENTARY Sparks 0.4 mi 7.2
PROCTER R. HUG HIGH SCHOOL Sparks 0.9 mi 3.5
SPARKS HIGH SCHOOL Sparks 0.8 mi 3.1
KATE SMITH ELEMENTARY Sparks 0.9 mi 6.7
BERNICE MATHEWS ELEMENTARY Reno 0.9 mi 5.6
High Desert Montessori Reno 0.9 mi 6.4
ROBERT MITCHELL ELEMENTARY Sparks 1.0 mi 7.4
RITA CANNAN ELEMENTARY Reno 0.9 mi 5.5
Mater Academy of Northern Nevada Reno 1.2 mi 8.6
FLORENCE DRAKE ELEMENTARY Sparks 1.1 mi 9.0
GREENBRAE ELEMENTARY Sparks 1.1 mi 5.7
LENA JUNIPER ELEMENTARY Sparks 1.4 mi 7.0
GEORGE L. DILWORTH S.T.E.M ACADEMY Sparks 1.4 mi 5.3
FRED W. TRANER MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno 1.5 mi 4.5
LINCOLN PARK ELEMENTARY Sparks 1.5 mi 4.3
GLENN DUNCAN S.T.E.M. ACADEMY Reno 1.6 mi 6.0
Coral Academy Middle School Reno 1.8 mi 7.1
LOIS ALLEN ELEMENTARY Sparks 2.1 mi 3.9
TMCC MAGNET SCHOOL Reno 2.1 mi 7.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
E. OTIS VAUGHN MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno, NV 4.4
Spring Creek Middle School Spring Creek, NV 4.4
Cannon Helen C JHS Las Vegas, NV 4.5
Churchill County Middle School Fallon, NV 4.5
FRED W. TRANER MIDDLE SCHOOL Reno, NV 4.5
Fernley Intermediate School Fernley, NV 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sparks Middle School

What grades does Sparks Middle School serve?

Sparks Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sparks Middle School?

Sparks Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 606 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Sparks Middle School 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 Sparks Middle School rank in NV?

Sparks Middle School ranks #612 of 691 schools in NV.

What is Sparks Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sparks Middle School 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 Sparks Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sparks Middle School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sparks Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Sparks Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Sparks Middle 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
606
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Washoe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
59.9%

District

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

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