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
Enrollment
1,056
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
William Obrien Middle School — Students at William Obrien Middle School score 18% 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: 7.4/10.
How William Obrien Middle School Compares
See how William Obrien Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 9% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 26% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (775) 677-5420
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washoe County- District Enrollment
- 63,777
- Schools in District
- 115
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,870
- District Rank
- #80 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.