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Excellent

#85 of 689 schools in NV

Top 12% in state

Van Gorder Elementary

Elementary School · Washoe County

7650 CAMPELLO DRIVE, Sparks, NV 89436

Enrollment

558

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sparks

#9 of 31

public schools

Nevada elementary schools

#66 of 414

In district

#24 of 109

Washoe County

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Van Gorder Elementary

Van Gorder Elementary stands as one of Nevada's top-performing elementary schools, serving 558 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Sparks. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking 15th among Nevada's 696 elementary schools, the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement that places it in the 98th percentile statewide. The school's strong academic performance is reflected in its test scores, with 69% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 66% reaching proficiency in Mathematics.

These results contribute to Van Gorder's outstanding academic score of 9.6 out of 10. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers supporting the diverse learning needs of its student body. Van Gorder Elementary serves families in an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $105,324 and the median home value is $482,000.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects a well-educated population, with 34% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.6%. The school is situated in Washoe County's large suburban setting, providing students with access to both educational excellence and community resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+23.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,957

Van Gorder Elementary — Students at Van Gorder Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NV EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 69.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.0%
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
73%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
66%
ELA
69%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Van Gorder Elementary Compares

See how Van Gorder Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
88th percentile in NV
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

7650 CAMPELLO DRIVE, Sparks, NV 89436

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Van Gorder Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MARVIN MOSS ELEMENTARY (rated 9.1/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SPANISH SPRINGS ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BUD BEASLEY ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sparks, see our Sparks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
SPANISH SPRINGS ELEMENTARY Sparks 1.5 mi 8.8
ALYCE TAYLOR ELEMENTARY Sparks 2.5 mi 5.9
SKY RANCH MIDDLE SCHOOL Sparks 2.4 mi 7.7
JOHN BOHACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sparks 2.5 mi 8.7
YVONNE SHAW MIDDLE SCHOOL Sparks 2.7 mi 8.1
BUD BEASLEY ELEMENTARY Sparks 3.4 mi 8.8
JESSE HALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sparks 2.9 mi 7.3
Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada Sparks 3.4 mi 7.3
SPANISH SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Sparks 3.1 mi 6.4
PEBBLES PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Sparks 3.6 mi
IMAGINATION STATION Sparks 3.6 mi 5.8
MIGUEL SEPULVEDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sparks 3.9 mi 7.6
JERRY WHITEHEAD ELEMENTARY Sparks 4.5 mi 5.0
MARVIN MOSS ELEMENTARY Sparks 5.2 mi 9.1
EDWARD C. REED HIGH SCHOOL Sparks 5.1 mi 6.4
LOU MENDIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Sparks 5.3 mi 3.9
LLOYD DIEDRICHSEN ELEMENTARY Sparks 5.3 mi 7.4
VIRGINIA PALMER ELEMENTARY Sparks 4.4 mi 5.5
DESERT SKIES MIDDLE SCHOOL Sun Valley 4.4 mi 6.4
EXCEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sparks 5.4 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 89436 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,485

Median Home Value

$546,600

Median Rent

$2,011/mo

Population

48,221

College Educated

35.9%

Homeownership

74%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Van Gorder Elementary has a median household income of $109,485. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $546,600, with a median rent of $2,011/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Batterman Kathy L ES Las Vegas, NV 8.1
Hinman Edna F ES Henderson, NV 8.1
J G Johnson Elementary School Pahrump, NV 8.1
Smalley James E & A Rae ES Henderson, NV 8.1
Walker J Marlan Int'l School ES Henderson, NV 8.1
ALICE MAXWELL ELEMENTARY Sparks, NV 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Van Gorder Elementary

What grades does Van Gorder Elementary serve?

Van Gorder Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Van Gorder Elementary?

Van Gorder Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 558 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Gorder Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Van Gorder Elementary is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Van Gorder Elementary rank in NV?

Van Gorder Elementary is ranked #85 out of 689 schools in NV.

What is Van Gorder Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Gorder Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Van Gorder Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Gorder Elementary has 69.0% math proficiency and 71.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Van Gorder Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Van Gorder Elementary a Title I school?

No, Van Gorder Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Gorder Elementary?

14.3% of students at Van Gorder 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat 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
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
558
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.3%
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
#24 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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