For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 403 students in Sierra County, CA.
The top-ranked public schools in Sierra County, CA are Downieville Junior-senior High School, Downieville Elementary School and Loyalton High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sierra County, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Sierra County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Sierra County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Downieville Junior-senior High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
130 School St.
Downieville, CA 95936
(530) 289-3473
Downieville, CA 95936
(530) 289-3473
Gr: 7-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
Downieville Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
130 School St.
Downieville, CA 95936
(530) 289-3473
Downieville, CA 95936
(530) 289-3473
Gr: K-6 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #33.
Loyalton High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
700 Fourth St.
Loyalton, CA 96118
(530) 993-4454
Loyalton, CA 96118
(530) 993-4454
Gr: 7-12 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #44.
Loyalton Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
111 Beckwith St.
Loyalton, CA 96118
(530) 993-4482
Loyalton, CA 96118
(530) 993-4482
Gr: K-6 | 199 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: n/an/a
Sierra County Special Education
Special Education School
111 Beckwith St.
Loyalton, CA 96118
(530) 993-4485
Loyalton, CA 96118
(530) 993-4485
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Sierra Pass (Continuation School)
Alternative School
700 Fourth St.
Loyalton, CA 96118
(530) 993-1660
Loyalton, CA 96118
(530) 993-1660
Gr: 9-12 | 5 students Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: n/an/a
William R. Rouse Rop
Vocational School
305 South Lincoln St.
Sierraville, CA 96126
(530) 944-3398
Sierraville, CA 96126
(530) 944-3398
Gr: 10-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Sierra County, CA?
The top-ranked public schools in Sierra County, CA include Downieville Junior-senior High School, Downieville Elementary School and Loyalton High School.
How many public schools are located in Sierra County?
7 public schools are located in Sierra County.
What is the racial composition of students in Sierra County?
Sierra County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.