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Bear River High

Q: Is Bear River High a good school?

Bear River High ranks 443 rd of 2137 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

443^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,137 California High Schools

Better than 79% of California high schools

Summary

Bear River High serves 664 students in grades 9–12 in Grass Valley, in the Nevada Joint Union High district. Its 2025–2026 results are above state and district averages in English language arts (ELA), math, and science; its graduation rate is 96%, and chronic absenteeism is 10%. ELA is a clear strength, at 68% proficiency—19 points above the state and 10 above the district—while science is 50%, 14 points above the state. The key caution is math: despite strong results compared with many nearby high schools, its 40% proficiency is only 1 point above the state average.

Among five nearby conventional high schools, Bear River’s math result ranks second, behind William & Marian Ghidotti High and ahead of Colfax High, Placer High, Nevada Union High, and Foresthill High. Its 40% is 4 points below the five-school average. In ELA, Bear River’s 68% is below four of those schools, and 7 points below their average; in science, its 50% is higher than Placer’s but below three peers, and 5 points below the group average. So its local advantage is clearest in math, while it is competitive but not a local leader in ELA or science.

Science has improved most over time, rising 30 points from 20% in 2022–2023 to 50% in 2025–2026, moving from below to above state and district results. ELA remains strong but is down 7 points from its 2024–2025 high, and math has risen only modestly over the four reported years. SchoolDigger rates Bear River at the 79th percentile with 4 stars, below Ghidotti, Colfax, and Placer, but above Nevada Union; its percentile fell 4 points from the prior year. SchoolDigger’s statewide ranking for Hispanic students is 62nd percentile versus 79th overall, a 35-point drop since 2023–2024; for special education students, it is 50th percentile versus 79th overall. In 2024–2025, the student-teacher ratio was 24.1, among the highest nearby, and 25% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible, the second-lowest rate among nearby schools reporting that measure.

664

Students ?

24.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$26,354

Per pupil spending ?

25.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

11130 Magnolia Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95949-8366

(530) 268-3700

District: Nevada Joint Union High

Feeder schools for Bear River High:

Elementary:	Alta Sierra Elementary
	Clear Creek Elementary
	Cottage Hill Elementary
Middle:	Magnolia Intermediate

Racial breakdown:

White:

73.2%

Hispanic:

17.2%

Two or more races:

5.7%

See top rated California high schools

Compare Bear River High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 61st percentile in 2022 → 79th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (52% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 21% of California high schools

✓96% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Large classes — about 24 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg47%

California avg42%

443^rd of 2,137

California public high schools ?

Top 21%▼ down 6 pts since 2016

From top 15% (2016) to top 21% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 6High Schools in the Nevada Joint Union High

380^th of 968Nevada Joint Union High among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	78.5	443 of 2137	79.3%	★★★★☆
2025	82.4	370 of 2162	82.9%	★★★★☆
2024	75.8	473 of 2159	78.1%	★★★★☆
2023	67.6	615 of 2170	71.7%	★★★★☆
2022	55.2	819 of 2123	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	76.3	283 of 1290	78.1%	★★★★☆
2019	85.4	269 of 2133	87.4%	★★★★☆
2018	74.0	514 of 2017	74.5%	★★★★☆
2017	86.4	277 of 2021	86.3%	★★★★☆
2016	84.3	302 of 2039	85.2%	★★★★☆
2015	85.3	267 of 1994	86.6%	★★★★☆
2013	61.1	513 of 2426	78.9%	★★★★☆
2012	65.5	404 of 2354	82.8%	★★★★☆
2011	61.3	477 of 2367	79.8%	★★★★☆
2010	61.7	476 of 2281	79.1%	★★★★☆
2009	68.0	288 of 2238	87.1%	★★★★☆
2008	70.9	261 of 2117	87.7%	★★★★☆
2007	75.5	185 of 2063	91.0%	★★★★★
2006	62.2	421 of 1968	78.6%	★★★★☆
2005	58.5	433 of 1901	77.2%	★★★★☆
2004	57.2	382 of 1653	76.9%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	59.0	290 of 1161	75.0%	★★★★☆
2021	85.5	50 of 555	91.0%	★★★★★
2018	47.8	415 of 1052	60.6%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	76.8	406 of 1865	78.2%	★★★★☆
2025	82.0	318 of 1906	83.3%	★★★★☆
2024	73.6	450 of 1915	76.5%	★★★★☆
2023	68.8	533 of 1915	72.2%	★★★★☆
2022	41.9	1004 of 1858	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	80.3	185 of 1054	82.4%	★★★★☆
2019	83.3	270 of 1833	85.3%	★★★★☆
2018	73.2	478 of 1760	72.8%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	58.4	722 of 1880	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	79.9	305 of 1900	83.9%	★★★★☆
2024	95.9	61 of 1902	96.8%	★★★★★
2023	54.9	792 of 1917	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	40.7	1083 of 1861	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	90.3	122 of 1814	93.3%	★★★★★
2018	74.7	410 of 1742	76.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	74.4	465 of 1999	76.7%	★★★★☆
2025	63.6	673 of 2013	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.4	631 of 2026	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	78.7	346 of 2030	83.0%	★★★★☆
2022	56.0	729 of 1943	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	89.0	97 of 1126	91.4%	★★★★★
2019	84.1	222 of 1937	88.5%	★★★★☆
2018	70.5	507 of 1862	72.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	75.0	446 of 1932	76.9%	★★★★☆
2025	78.7	379 of 1942	80.5%	★★★★☆
2024	75.3	435 of 1948	77.7%	★★★★☆
2023	63.0	621 of 1963	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.4	656 of 1916	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	67.1	318 of 1122	71.7%	★★★★☆
2019	81.3	298 of 1880	84.1%	★★★★☆
2018	70.4	521 of 1834	71.6%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	55.7	275 of 588	53.2%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	41.5	617 of 1235	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	57.5	376 of 1252	70.0%	★★★★☆
2024	63.5	289 of 1216	76.2%	★★★★☆
2023	59.2	313 of 1197	73.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	65.4	403 of 1132	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	63.3	427 of 1155	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.4	684 of 1173	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	51.0	589 of 1193	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	33.3	812 of 1204	32.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	63.1	445 of 1222	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.4	610 of 1173	48.0%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2026)78th percentile~ school

Male (2026)77th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)77th percentile-3 vs school

Disabled (2022)75th percentile+14 vs school

White (2026)64th percentile-15 vs school

Hispanic (2026)62nd percentile-18 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)53rd percentile-26 vs school

Special Education (2026)50th percentile-29 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy68%+19 vs state

Science50%+14 vs state

Mathematics40%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Bear River High

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CAST Science (2026)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)		Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bear River High	Public	9-12	11130 Magnolia Rd.	Grass Valley	95949	Nevada County	Nevada Joint Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 268-3700	664	27	24.1	25.2%	486 (73.2%)	1 (0.2%)	114 (17.2%)	14 (2.1%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	38 (5.7%)	78.5	443^rd of 2137 public high schools	79.3%		82.4	370^th of 2162 public high schools	82.9%	73	48.8		49.7	67.8	67.8	39.7	39.7	$26,354	$25,158	$1,196
Colfax High	Public	9-12	24995 Ben Taylor Rd.	Colfax	95713	Placer County	Placer Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 346-2284	611	28	22.0	21.3%	465 (76.1%)	3 (0.5%)	61 (10.0%)	5 (0.8%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (11.1%)	81.2	376^th of 2137 public high schools	82.4%		83.9	337^th of 2162 public high schools	84.4%	39	50.0		50.0	77.5	77.5	37.7	37.7	$27,330	$26,630	$700
Confluence Continuation High	Public	10-12	332 Finley St.	Auburn	95603	Placer County	Placer Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 885-8401	103	5	20.1	58.3%	60 (58.3%)	2 (1.9%)	26 (25.2%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (10.7%)	9	2007^th of 2137 public high schools	6.1%		9.8	2028^th of 2162 public high schools	6.2%	21	5.9		7.3	5.9	5.9	3.0	3.0	$21,034	$17,968	$3,066
Maidu Virtual Charter Academy	Public, Virtual, Charter	9-12	275 Orange St.	Auburn	95603	Placer County	Maidu Virtual Charter Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(530) 745-5763	114	8	14.8	43.9%	78 (68.4%)	1 (0.9%)	19 (16.7%)	2 (1.8%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (9.6%)								(n/a)								$30,658	$30,372	$286
Placer High	Public	9-12	275 Orange St.	Auburn	95603	Placer County	Placer Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 885-4581	1,265	57	22.2	29.9%	719 (56.8%)	12 (0.9%)	366 (28.9%)	27 (2.1%)	13 (1.0%)	5 (0.4%)	115 (9.1%)	78.8	437^th of 2137 public high schools	79.6%		76.9	463^rd of 2162 public high schools	78.6%	26	48.2		47.6	73.1	73.1	37.4	37.4	$23,666	$22,466	$1,200
John Muir Charter	Public, Charter	6-12	960 McCourtney Rd.	Grass Valley	95949	Nevada County	John Muir Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 272-4008	629	38	16.6	94.3%	56 (8.9%)	56 (8.9%)	459 (73.0%)	6 (1.0%)	4 (0.6%)	2 (0.3%)	40 (6.4%)								(n/a)
Silver Springs High (Continuation)	Public	9-12	130 Park Ave.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Nevada Joint Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 272-2635	80	9	8.4	97.5%	59 (73.8%)	1 (1.3%)	8 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.3%)	1 (1.3%)	6 (7.5%)	7.8	2069^th of 2137 public high schools	3.2%		13.5	1855^th of 2162 public high schools	14.2%	214	3.0		5.6	9.1	9.1	0.0	0.0	$79,519	$74,964	$4,555
Bitney Prep High	Public, Charter	9-12	135 Joerschke Dr.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Bitney Prep High District	Yes	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(530) 477-1235	0			—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Foresthill High	Public	9-12	23319 Foresthill Rd.	Foresthill	95631	Placer County	Placer Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 367-5244	190	11	17.2	36.8%	138 (72.6%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (18.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (7.9%)	51.8	1000^th of 2137 public high schools	53.2%		69.3	614^th of 2162 public high schools	71.6%	386	26.8		26.2	69.1	69.1	17.1	17.1	$38,019	$36,612	$1,407
William & Marian Ghidotti High	Public	9-12	250 Sierra College Dr.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Nevada Joint Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 274-5270	155	5	32.0	21.3%	115 (74.2%)	1 (0.6%)	20 (12.9%)	6 (3.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (6.5%)	99.2	7^th of 2137 public high schools	99.7%		99.4	3^rd of 2162 public high schools	99.9%	4	100.0		100.0	96.6	96.6	93.1	93.1	$17,899	$17,522	$377

Frequently Asked Questions about Bear River High

What is the racial makeup of Bear River High?

Students at Bear River High are 73% White, 17% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Is Bear River High a good school?

Bear River High ranks 443^rd of 2137 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Bear River High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 664 students attended Bear River High.

What schools feed into Bear River High?

Bear River High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Alta Sierra Elementary
Elementary : Clear Creek Elementary
Elementary : Cottage Hill Elementary
Middle : Magnolia Intermediate

What district is Bear River High in?

Nevada Joint Union High

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Latest California data All new data »

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNewOct 15, 2026

2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresNewOct 15, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataMar 13, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.