For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public charter schools serving 4,275 students in Nevada County, CA.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Nevada County, CA are Sierra Expeditionary Learning, Nevada City School Of The Arts and Grass Valley Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Nevada County, CA public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the California public charter school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 48% statewide average). Charter schools in Nevada County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of California public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public charter school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Charter Schools in Nevada County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sierra Expeditionary Learning
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
11603 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-3701
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
13032 Bitney Springs Rd. Bldg.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 273-7736
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 273-7736
Gr: K-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Grass Valley Charter
Charter School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
225 South Auburn St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-8723
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-8723
Gr: K-8 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Yuba River Charter
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10085 Adam Ave.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 272-6060
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 272-6060
Gr: K-8 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #55.
Forest Charter
Charter School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
470 Searls Ave.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-4823
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-4823
Gr: K-12 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #66.
Twin Ridges Home Study Charter
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
111 New Mohawk Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 478-1815
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 478-1815
Gr: K-8 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #77.
Union Hill Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11638 Colfax Hwy.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-8456
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-8456
Gr: K-6 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #88.
Sierra Academy Of Expeditionary Learning
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
505 Main St.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 268-2200
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 268-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 191 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #99.
Arete Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
16229 Duggans Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 268-2805
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 268-2805
Gr: K-8 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1010.
Chicago Park Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
15725 Mount Olive Rd.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 346-2153
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 346-2153
Gr: K-8 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Bitney Prep High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
135 Joerschke Dr.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 477-1235
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 477-1235
Gr: 9-12 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Vantage Point Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
10862 Spenceville Rd.
Penn Valley, CA 95946
(530) 432-5312
Penn Valley, CA 95946
(530) 432-5312
Gr: K-12 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1313.
John Muir Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
960 Mccourtney Rd., Ste. E
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 272-4008
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 272-4008
Gr: 6-12 | 629 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Nevada County, CA?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Nevada County, CA include Sierra Expeditionary Learning, Nevada City School Of The Arts and Grass Valley Charter.
How many public charter schools are located in Nevada County?
13 public charter schools are located in Nevada County.
What is the racial composition of students in Nevada County?
Nevada County public charter schools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public charter schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Which public charter schools in Nevada County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public charter schools in Nevada County include: Forest Charter vs. Nevada City School Of The Arts, Yuba River Charter vs. Nevada City School Of The Arts, Nevada City School Of The Arts vs. Forest Charter
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