Best Public Schools in Sparks, NV

Sparks, Nevada has 35 schools serving roughly 22,773 students: 25 elementary schools (about 48% of enrollment), 5 middle schools (18%), and 5 high schools (34%). Nearly all belong to Washoe County, with two charter campuses in State Sponsored Charter Schools and one very small school in Storey. The district itself ranks 4 of 12 statewide at the 67th percentile, while the charter district ranks 2 of 12 at the 83rd percentile.

The strongest schools cluster at the top. Marvin Moss Elementary leads elementary and middle schools with 64.7% Math and 66.1% Reading, plus low chronic absenteeism of 12.8%. Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada posts 59.3% Math, 59.7% Reading, and the highest reported Science score (50.6%) while spending just $8,334 per student. Florence Drake Elementary is a notable equity example: 100% free/reduced lunch yet 62.5% Math and 62.5% Reading. Spanish Springs Elementary, Alyce Taylor Elementary, Van Gorder Elementary, and Bud Beasley Elementary also perform well. Sky Ranch Middle School is clearly the strongest middle school (41.5% Math, 57.1% Reading, 45.5% Science), and Spanish Springs High School is the strongest comprehensive high school (88.9% graduation; ACT 32.1% Math, 64.2% English).

At the other end, Procter R. Hug High School (66.6% chronic absenteeism), Sparks High School (54.5%), Sparks Middle School, George L. Dilworth S.T.E.M Academy, and Lois Allen Elementary rank in the bottom few percentiles statewide. Chronic absenteeism is the clearest warning signal — district 27.5% and state 25.5% versus 12–14% at top schools — though exceptions exist. Spending alone doesn't explain results: Lois Allen spends the most ($36,371) with the lowest rank percentile, while Pinecrest spends $8,334 and ranks in the 86th percentile. Science is a relative weakness across Sparks, and several scores are suppressed, so comparisons should be cautious.