Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Nevada County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public middle schools serving 6,023 students in Nevada County, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Nevada County, CA are Sierra Expeditionary Learning, Nevada City School Of The Arts and Seven Hills Intermediate. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Nevada County, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Nevada County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Nevada County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sierra Expeditionary Learning
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11603 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-3701
Gr: K-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #22.
Nevada City School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
13032 Bitney Springs Rd. Bldg.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 273-7736
Gr: K-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Seven Hills Intermediate
(Math: 46% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
700 Hoover Ln.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-1840
Gr: 4-8 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Clear Creek Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
17700 Mccourtney Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 273-3664
Gr: K-8 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #55.
Alder Creek Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10931 Alder Dr.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-2750
Gr: 6-8 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #66.
Grass Valley Charter
Charter School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
225 South Auburn St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-8723
Gr: K-8 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #77.
Yuba River Charter
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10085 Adam Ave.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 272-6060
Gr: K-8 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #88.
Earle Jamieson Educational Options
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
112 Nevada City Hwy.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 272-5464
Gr: 6-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #99.
Magnolia Intermediate
(Math: 34% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
22431 Kingston Ln.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 268-2815
Gr: 6-8 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Forest Charter
Charter School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
470 Searls Ave.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-4823
Gr: K-12 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Twin Ridges Home Study Charter
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
111 New Mohawk Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 478-1815
Gr: K-8 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1212.
Chicago Park Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
15725 Mt. Olive Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 346-2153
Gr: K-8 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1313.
Ready Springs Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
10862 Spenceville Rd.
Penn Valley, CA 95946
(530) 432-1118
Gr: 4-8 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1414.
Lyman Gilmore Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
10837 Rough And Ready Hwy.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-8479
Gr: 5-8 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1515.
Arete Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
16229 Duggans Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 268-2805
Gr: K-8 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1616.
Chicago Park Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
15725 Mount Olive Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 346-2153
Gr: K-8 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1717.
Vantage Point Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
10862 Spenceville Rd.
Penn Valley, CA 95946
(530) 432-5312
Gr: K-12 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1818.
Grizzly Hill
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
16661 Old Mill Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-9052
Gr: K-8 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1919.
Nevada County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Hoover Ln.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-0611
Gr: K-8 | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2020.
John Muir Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
960 Mccourtney Rd., Ste. E
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 272-4008
Gr: 6-12 | 629 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: n/an/a
Cold Stream Alternative
Alternative School
8000 Estates Dr.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-2640
Gr: K-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 45%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Nevada County, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Nevada County, CA include Sierra Expeditionary Learning, Nevada City School Of The Arts and Seven Hills Intermediate.
How many public middle schools are located in Nevada County?
22 public middle schools are located in Nevada County.
What is the racial composition of students in Nevada County?
Nevada County public middle schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Nevada County are often viewed compared to one another?

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