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Pau Wa Lu Middle School

Q: Is Pau Wa Lu Middle School a good school?

Pau Wa Lu Middle School ranks 91 st of 148 Nevada middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

91^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 148 Nevada Middle Schools

Better than 39% of Nevada middle schools

Summary

Pau Wa Lu Middle School is a grades 6–8 school in Gardnerville, Nevada, in the Carson Valley area, serving about 460 students as part of the Douglas County School District. That district is one of the strongest in the state, ranked 3rd of 12 (75th percentile, 4 stars). The school itself currently ranks lower: 91st of 148 Nevada middle schools (39th percentile, 2 stars) in 2025–2026. That marks a notable decline from its own history — it was 33rd of 122 (73rd percentile, 4 stars) in 2015–2016 — and it has stayed in the 33rd–44th percentile range with 2 stars since 2021–2022.

The school's academic profile is split. Science is a genuine and consistent strength: 36.9% of students were proficient in 2025–2026, above the district (27.1%) and the state (25.5%). Math (25.3%) and reading (31.8%) go the other way, both below the district (37.6% and 48.5%) and the state (36.2% and 45.2%). The contrast with Carson Valley Middle School, which is in the same district, is striking: Carson Valley ranks 62nd of 148 (58th percentile, 3 stars) and posts higher math (36.9%) and reading (49.1%) proficiency, even though Pau Wa Lu has lower chronic absenteeism (17.2% vs. 19.0%).

Attendance is a real bright spot. Chronic absenteeism of 17.2% in 2025–2026 is below the district (19.2%), the state (25.5%), Carson Valley Middle School, Eagle Valley Middle School (27.0%), and Carson Middle School (33.2%). Pau Wa Lu has the smallest enrollment among these schools and the highest per-student spending ($15,754 in 2023–2024, versus $12,656 at Carson Valley), with a student-teacher ratio of 18.7. About 41.09% of students qualified for free or reduced lunch in 2024–2025 — higher than Carson Valley (29.27%) but lower than Eagle Valley (46.96%). The open question is whether the science strength and improved attendance can be paired with stronger math and reading instruction.

460

Students ?

18.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,754

Per pupil spending ?

41.1%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

701 Long Valley Rd
Gardnerville, NV 89460

(775) 265-6100

District: Douglas

Students who attend Pau Wa Lu Middle School usually attend:

High:

Douglas High School

Feeder schools for Pau Wa Lu Middle School:

Elementary:	C. C. Meneley Elementary School
	G. L. Scarselli Elementary School
	Minden Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

60.2%

Hispanic:

26.5%

Two or more races:

7.2%

See top rated Nevada middle schools

Compare Pau Wa Lu Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 73rd percentile in 2016 → 39th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Nevada average (30% vs 39% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 34 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school30%

District avg41%

Nevada avg39%

91^st of 148

Nevada public middle schools ?

Bottom 39%▼ down 34 pts since 2016

From top 27% (2016) to bottom 39% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Nevada Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Middle Schools in the Douglas

3^rd of 12Douglas among Nevada 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	Nevada percentile	Rating
2026	31.6	91 of 148	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	30.6	98 of 151	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	28.7	103 of 153	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.3	86 of 152	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.7	85 of 151	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	43.5	74 of 145	49.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.4	76 of 159	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	46.9	56 of 114	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	59.0	38 of 126	69.8%	★★★★☆
2016	66.5	33 of 122	73.0%	★★★★☆
2014	71.3	31 of 117	73.5%	★★★★☆
2013	71.2	28 of 121	76.9%	★★★★☆
2012	82.1	13 of 84	84.5%	★★★★☆
2011	80.5	11 of 82	86.6%	★★★★☆
2009	87.8	8 of 83	90.4%	★★★★★
2008	83.0	11 of 82	86.6%	★★★★☆
2006	89.0	4 of 71	94.4%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Nevada percentile	Rating
2018	49.0	49 of 106	53.8%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Nevada percentile	Rating
2018	35.5	59 of 95	37.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Nevada percentile	Rating
2018	44.7	53 of 100	47.0%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Nevada percentile	Rating
2018	46.3	52 of 108	51.9%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Nevada percentile	Rating
2018	41.4	39 of 60	35.0%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Nevada percentile	Rating
2018	68.8	3 of 7	57.1%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Nevada percentile	Rating
2018	56.6	26 of 84	69.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Nevada percentile	Rating
2018	37.4	62 of 105	41.0%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2018)69th percentile+18 vs school

Native American (2018)57th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2018)54th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2018)52nd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2018)47th percentile-4 vs school

White (2018)41st percentile-10 vs school

Hispanic (2018)38th percentile-13 vs school

Multi-racial (2018)35th percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs Nevada (2025-2026) ?

Science37%+11 vs state

Reading32%-13 vs state

Mathematics25%-11 vs state

★

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Schools Near Pau Wa Lu Middle School

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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)				SBAC Mathematics (2026)				SBAC Reading (2026)				SBAC Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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	SBAC Mathematics 6th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 7th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 8th Grade	SBAC Mathematics All Grades	SBAC Reading 6th Grade	SBAC Reading 7th Grade	SBAC Reading 8th Grade	SBAC Reading All Grades	SBAC Science 8th Grade	SBAC Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Pau Wa Lu Middle School	Public	6-8	701 Long Valley Rd	Gardnerville	89460	Douglas County	Douglas	No	No	No	Yes	(775) 265-6100	460	25	18.7	41.1%	277 (60.2%)	2 (0.4%)	122 (26.5%)	2 (0.4%)	19 (4.1%)	5 (1.1%)	33 (7.2%)	31.6	91^st of 148 public middle schools	38.5%		30.6	98^th of 151 public middle schools	35.1%	7	26.2	24.3	25.8	25.3	30.0	29.1	36.9	31.8	36.9	36.9	$15,754	$1,568	$14,186
Carson Valley Middle School	Public	6-8	1477 Hwy 395	Gardnerville	89410	Douglas County	Douglas	No	No	No	No	(775) 782-2265	591	28	21.2	29.3%	381 (64.5%)	3 (0.5%)	147 (24.9%)	16 (2.7%)	8 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.1%)	56.2	62^nd of 148 public middle schools	58.1%		58.2	59^th of 151 public middle schools	60.9%	3	34.2	40.7	36.2	36.9	47.1	54.2	46.1	49.1	31.1	31.1	$12,656	$882	$11,774
Douglas Nevada Online	Public, Virtual	6-8	1680 Bently Parkway	Minden	89423	Douglas County	Douglas	No	No	Yes	No	(775) 392-1480	5	0		—	2 (40.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (40.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (20.0%)								(n/a)											$11,020	$265	$10,755
Eagle Valley Middle School	Public	6-8	4151 E. Fifth St.	Carson City	89701	Carson City	Carson City	No	No	No	No	(775) 283-2600	854	48	17.6	47.0%	366 (42.9%)	2 (0.2%)	422 (49.4%)	14 (1.6%)	16 (1.9%)	1 (0.1%)	33 (3.9%)	27.6	100^th of 148 public middle schools	32.4%		34.4	95^th of 151 public middle schools	37.1%	5	23.9	21.3	17.7	20.8	32.6	37.5	34.0	34.7	28.7	28.7	$13,314	$971	$12,343
Carson Middle School	Public	6-8	1140 W. King St.	Carson City	89703	Carson City	Carson City	No	No	No	No	(775) 283-2800	833	47	17.6	—	358 (43.0%)	10 (1.2%)	376 (45.1%)	8 (1.0%)	19 (2.3%)	1 (0.1%)	59 (7.1%)	41.3	83^rd of 148 public middle schools	43.9%		34.4	94^th of 151 public middle schools	37.7%	11	29.0	29.4	29.9	29.4	32.8	44.0	44.3	40.4	32.4	32.4	$13,812	$1,047	$12,765

Frequently Asked Questions about Pau Wa Lu Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Pau Wa Lu Middle School?

Students at Pau Wa Lu Middle School are 60% White, 27% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 4% American Indian, 1% Pacific Islander.

What high school do graduates of Pau Wa Lu Middle School attend?

Students who attend Pau Wa Lu Middle School usually go on to attend Douglas High School

How many students attend Pau Wa Lu Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 460 students attended Pau Wa Lu Middle School.

Is Pau Wa Lu Middle School a good school?

Pau Wa Lu Middle School ranks 91^st of 148 Nevada middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Pau Wa Lu Middle School in?

Douglas

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Latest Nevada data All new data »

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataSep 14, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 14, 2026

2025–26 ACT, EOC Science Exam & SBAC scoresSep 14, 2026

2024–25 ACT, EOC Science Exam & SBAC scoresOct 1, 2025

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