Dr. Sarah Jenkins is an education policy researcher and consultant specializing in state accountability frameworks, academic growth modeling, and student assessment systems. She has spent over a decade analyzing how public school performance metrics translate to classroom realities, with a focus on helping parents understand standardized testing data.
Dr. Jenkins earned her Ph.D. in Education Policy and has worked with various academic institutions to evaluate the efficacy of school rating systems. She is a strong advocate for balancing raw academic proficiency indicators with growth metrics, ensuring that schools serving diverse student populations are evaluated fairly.
Her work on NevadaSchools.org aims to demystify complex state test scores (like the Smarter Balanced Assessment) and translate policy details into actionable insights for Nevada parents navigating public, charter, and magnet school options.
Areas of focus
- Standardized testing systems (Smarter Balanced Assessment)
- Academic Growth Percentile (AGP) modeling
- Nevada school accountability policy
- K-12 educational assessment
Guides by Dr. Sarah Jenkins
- School Rankings
Best Middle Schools in Reno & Sparks: 2026 Washoe County Rankings & Transition Guide
A 2026 parent guide to the top-rated middle and K-8 schools across Reno, Sparks, and Incline Village, analyzing NSPF star ratings, math/ELA proficiency, and high school transition credits.
- School Rankings
Best Schools in Henderson NV: 2026 Family Relocation & Zoning Guide
A comprehensive family relocation guide to Henderson, Nevada schools, covering top-rated elementary, middle, and high schools across Green Valley, Inspirada, Anthem, Seven Hills, and Cadence.
- School Rankings
Best Charter Schools in Nevada: 2026 Rankings by NSPF Star Rating
The definitive 2026 guide to Nevada's top-performing public charter schools, ranked by official Nevada Department of Education NSPF index scores across elementary, middle, and high school levels in Clark County and Washoe County.
- School Rankings
Best Middle Schools in Nevada: 2026 Rankings & Complete Guide
Discover Nevada's highest-performing middle schools for 2026 ranked by official NDOE Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) index scores, SBAC math and reading proficiency, and student growth across Clark County, Washoe County, and top charter campuses.
- School Choice
CCSD Magnet Schools & Career Academies: 2026-2027 Application Guide
Complete parent guide to Clark County School District (CCSD) magnet schools and Career & Technical Academies (CTA). Learn about lottery selection, audition requirements, transportation zones, and deadlines.
- School Choice
Washoe County Signature Academies & CTE Programs: 2026 Parent Guide
A complete guide to Washoe County School District's Signature Academy programs, Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways, and specialty high schools including TMCC Magnet High School and Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology (AACT).
- Accountability & Data
How to Look Up Nevada School Report Cards (NSPF Accountability Guide)
Step-by-step guide to finding and interpreting official Nevada School Report Card data, NSPF star ratings, test proficiency scores, and district accountability metrics.
- Magnet Programs
Clark County Magnet Schools Playbook: Deadlines, Admissions & Specialized Academies
A practical guide to applying for CCSD magnet programs, CTA academies, and specialized middle school lotteries across Clark County.
- School Rankings
Best High Schools in Las Vegas and Clark County (2026 NSPF Rankings)
Using official Nevada Department of Education NSPF data, we break down the highest-rated public magnet, charter, dual-credit, and zoned high schools across Las Vegas and Clark County.
- Academic Guide
Demystifying Standardized Test Scores: A Parent's Guide to Growth vs. Proficiency
Understanding percentiles, proficiency bands, and growth metrics so you can read your child's test report with confidence.