Average
#243 of 689 schools in NV
Top 35% in state
Wells High School
High School · Elko
PO Box 338, Wells, NV 89835
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wells
#3 of 3
public schools
Nevada high schools
#51 of 140
In district
#13 of 28
Elko
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Wells High School
Wells High School serves 99 students in grades 9-12 in the small rural community of Wells, Nevada, located in Elko County. With just 14 full-time teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, allowing for highly personalized attention and close relationships between students and faculty. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a strong 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #70 out of 696 Nevada high schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.
This impressive ranking reflects the school's ability to effectively serve its student body despite its small size and rural location. Wells High School operates as a regular public school in a community where the median household income is $56,797 and median home values are $215,600. The surrounding area has a college education rate of 24% among adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, while facing economic challenges with a poverty rate of 34.4%.
The school's intimate size creates a tight-knit environment where every student is known and supported. Wells High School sits in Nevada's remote rural landscape, serving as an educational cornerstone for families in this close-knit community of approximately 1,330 residents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 99 students, Wells High School 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, Wells High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Wells High School 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 metricsView breakdown
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Wells High School — Students at Wells High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NV EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 3.4/10.
How Wells High School Compares
See how Wells High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 30% (2021).
Location
PO Box 338, Wells, NV 89835
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wells High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wells Jr High School (rated 7.6/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wells Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wells, see our Wells schools guide .
Nearby Schools
2 within 0.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Jr High School Wells | 0.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Wells Elementary School Wells | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 89835 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,583
Median Home Value
$234,600
Median Rent
$977/mo
Population
1,481
College Educated
14.7%
Homeownership
70.6%
Poverty Rate
24.1%
Median Age
39.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wells High School has a median household income of $64,583. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,600, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cowan Academic Center J-SHS Las Vegas, NV | 6.9 |
| Carlin High School Carlin, NV | 6.8 |
| Lund High School Lund, NV | 6.8 |
| South Academic Center J-SHS Las Vegas, NV | 6.8 |
| College of So NV HS South Henderson, NV | 7.2 |
| Juvenile Detention 6-12 J-SHS Las Vegas, NV | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wells High School
What grades does Wells High School serve?
Wells High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Wells High School?
Wells High School has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wells High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Wells High School is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wells High School rank in NV?
Wells High School is ranked #243 out of 689 schools in NV.
What is Wells High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Wells High School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Wells High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wells High School has 30.0% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wells High School a charter school?
No, Wells High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wells High School a Title I school?
No, Wells High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wells High School?
29.3% of students at Wells 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 99
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Elko County
- Phone
- (775) 752-3477
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Elko- District Enrollment
- 9,908
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,020
- District Rank
- #13 of 28
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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