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Average

#451 of 689 schools in NV

William Obrien Middle School

Middle School · Washoe County

5000 Silver Lake Rd, Reno, NV 89506

Enrollment

1,056

Student-Teacher

21.1:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Reno

#52 of 68

public schools

Nevada middle schools

#70 of 113

In district

#80 of 109

Washoe County

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Strong

About William Obrien Middle School

William O'Brien Middle School serves 1,056 students in grades 6-8 in Reno's 89506 neighborhood. With 50 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1, providing a structured learning environment for middle school students navigating this pivotal academic period. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth in core subjects.

In English Language Arts and reading, 26% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics shows 9% proficiency. These results place William O'Brien among Nevada's middle schools working to strengthen academic outcomes for their student communities. The school draws from a diverse neighborhood where the median household income is $82,606 and median home value reaches $357,400.

About 20% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 12%. This ZIP code of 45,383 residents provides a suburban middle-class setting within Reno's larger metropolitan area. Located on Silver Lake Road in Nevada's second-largest city, William O'Brien Middle School serves families in an established residential community that balances urban amenities with neighborhood stability.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at William Obrien Middle 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 William Obrien Middle School is 21.1:1, 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment5.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,957

William Obrien Middle School — Students at William Obrien Middle School score 18% 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 11.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.3%
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
16%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
26%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How William Obrien Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in NV
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers

Location

5000 Silver Lake Rd, Reno, NV 89506

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering William Obrien Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MAMIE TOWLES ELEMENTARY (rated 9.3/10, 6.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROLLAN MELTON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GEORGE WESTERGARD ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 6.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Reno, see our Reno schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.7 mi
School Distance Rating
STEAD ELEMENTARY Reno 0.1 mi 5.3
SILVER LAKE ELEMENTARY Reno 1.4 mi 5.5
Sierra Nevada Academy Charter Reno 2.0 mi 2.9
DESERT HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Reno 2.1 mi 7.1
ALICE SMITH ELEMENTARY Reno 2.5 mi 7.2
LEMMON VALLEY ELEMENTARY Reno 2.7 mi 7.6
NORTH VALLEYS HIGH SCHOOL Reno 3.2 mi 4.7
ROLLAN MELTON ELEMENTARY Reno 5.4 mi 8.4
ROBERT MCQUEEN HIGH SCHOOL Reno 6.1 mi 7.7
MAMIE TOWLES ELEMENTARY Reno 6.1 mi 9.3
ARCHIE CLAYTON PRE-A.P. ACADEMY Reno 6.2 mi 4.8
ST ALBERT THE GREAT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Reno 6.2 mi 5.2
PEAVINE ELEMENTARY Reno 6.2 mi 7.0
TMCC MAGNET SCHOOL Reno 5.5 mi 5.4
ESTHER BENNETT ELEMENTARY Sparks 5.2 mi 5.1
GEORGE WESTERGARD ELEMENTARY Reno 6.7 mi 8.4
GRACE WARNER ELEMENTARY Reno 6.6 mi 6.4
CAUGHLIN PRESCHOOL Reno 6.7 mi
ELMCREST ELEMENTARY Reno 6.5 mi 6.2
THE KING'S ACADEMY Reno 6.7 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 89506 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,557

Median Home Value

$377,500

Median Rent

$1,733/mo

Population

45,349

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

71.3%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

36.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding William Obrien Middle School has a median household income of $86,557. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $377,500, with a median rent of $1,733/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. 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
Escobedo Edmundo Eddie Sr MS Las Vegas, NV 5.6
Leavitt Justice Myron E MS Las Vegas, NV 5.6
Spring Creek Middle School Spring Creek, NV 5.6
Fertitta Victoria MS Las Vegas, NV 5.4
Mack Jerome MS Las Vegas, NV 5.4
Gibson Robert O MS Leadership Academy Las Vegas, NV 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about William Obrien Middle School

What grades does William Obrien Middle School serve?

William Obrien Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend William Obrien Middle School?

William Obrien Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,056 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at William Obrien Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at William Obrien Middle School is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does William Obrien Middle School rank in NV?

William Obrien Middle School is ranked #451 out of 689 schools in NV.

What is William Obrien Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

William Obrien Middle School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 William Obrien Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, William Obrien Middle School has 11.7% math proficiency and 29.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is William Obrien Middle School a charter school?

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

Is William Obrien Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at William Obrien 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
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,979/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,056
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
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
#80 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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