‘Encouraging news’: Many Nevada schools improved their ratings, state data shows

Schools across Nevada saw significant increases in performance ratings compared with previous years, new data from the Nevada Department of Education shows.

The state judges schools using the Nevada School Performance Framework star rating system. This system rates a school’s performance on a scale of one to five based on factors including chronic absenteeism, graduation rate and assessment results for English Language Arts, math and science.

The data released by the Nevada Department of Education showed the number of one-star schools dropped statewide from 232 in the 2023-2024 school year to 140 in the following year. While low-performing one- and two-star schools constituted about half of all schools in the state in the 2023-2024 school year, they now make up 41.6 percent of all schools.

Gains were made toward increasing the amount of four- and five-star schools, with 74 more schools earning the distinction since the 2023-2024 school year, according to the state’s data. The percentage of schools with those ratings rose to over 30 percent this year, up from 21.9 percent last year.

“It’s encouraging news that more of our state’s public schools are earning higher star ratings,” interim Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Canavero said in a news release. “This reflects the hard work and dedication of our educators, administrators, staff, students and families. I am also grateful for the historic state investment in public education and initiatives such as early literacy that aim to ensure that our students and educators have the resources they need to succeed.”

The data released Monday gives insight into state education trends as school district leaders wait for the Nevada Department of Education’s annual Nevada Report Card, which provides details about subject matter proficiency, school discipline rates and diversity, among other topics. The full Report Card, which is usually released in mid-September, was delayed this year by the cyberattack on state computer systems, according to the Nevada Department of Education.

One factor driving rating improvements across the state is increased performance on assessments, the Nevada Department of Education noted. Smarter Balanced Assessment results showed improvements in math proficiency across all grade levels for the third year in a row, and all grade levels showed improvement in English Language Arts proficiency.

CCSD improvements

In Clark County, school officials said 136 schools raised their star ratings from last year, constituting 37 percent of all Clark County School District schools. The school district now has 48 five-star schools, 20 more than last year.

“These results demonstrate that the investments our state and community have made in public education have paid off,” superintendent Jhone Ebert said in a press release. “Our talented educators are ensuring our students are making the academic progress they need to succeed in life. We are proud of the progress our students have made as we work to become the Destination District for students and families.”

Darnell, Goldfarb and Kim elementary schools all made three-star increases in the past year to become four-star schools. Six state public charter schools in Clark County also made three-star jumps: CIVICA Academy Elementary and Middle Schools, Legacy Traditional School-North Valley, Quest Academy Northwest, Mater Academy Bonanza and Somerset Academy Losee. Another 45 schools across the state — including 16 in Clark County — made two-star performance leaps.

Jane Fernandez, principal at Goldfarb Elementary, said frequent small group learning activities, strengthening student-teacher relationships and coaching sessions to develop teachers’ skills have been essential keys to her school’s three-star performance leap.

“We will always try our best to do what’s best for students,” Fernandez said.

Contact Spencer Levering at slevering@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0253.