Best High Schools in Reno and Washoe County (2026 NSPF Rankings)

Best Schools in Reno and Washoe County (2026 Rankings & Comparison)

Washoe County School District serves the Reno-Sparks metro area and surrounding communities, from Incline Village on Lake Tahoe to the high desert north of Reno. Washoe County consistently produces some of the highest-rated public high schools and elementary schools in Nevada.

> Parent Nudge: New to Washoe County? Compare all Reno schools side-by-side at NevadaSchools.org →

2026 Washoe County Top Schools Overview Table

| School Name | Level & Type | NSPF Rating | Math Proficiency | ELA Proficiency | Grad Rate | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Davidson Academy of Nevada | Magnet (Grades 5-12) | 5 Stars | 95.0%+ | 95.0%+ | >95% | | AACT High School | Magnet (Grades 9-12) | 5 Stars | 68.4% | 84.1% | 98.5% | | Roy Gomm Elementary | Public (Grades K-5) | 5 Stars | 78.2% | 82.5% | N/A | | Caughlin Ranch Elementary | Public (Grades K-5) | 5 Stars | 74.1% | 79.8% | N/A | | Galena High School | Public (Grades 9-12) | 4 Stars | 42.1% | 61.5% | 93.2% | | Reno High School | Public (Grades 9-12) | 4 Stars | 38.5% | 58.2% | 91.8% | | Incline High School | Public (Grades 9-12) | 4 Stars | 41.0% | 62.0% | 94.0% |

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Davidson Academy of Nevada

Reno | Public Magnet (University of Nevada campus) | Grades 5-12

Davidson Academy is Nevada's crown jewel in public education — and by national measures, one of the finest public high schools in the United States. Niche.com consistently ranks it among the top public high schools in America.

Davidson serves profoundly gifted students housed directly on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Students take university-level coursework, interact with UNR faculty, and graduate with a substantial college transcript already complete. Average ACT scores at Davidson are among the highest in the nation.

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Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology (AACT)

Reno | Magnet | Grades 9-12

AACT is Washoe County's flagship career and technical magnet high school, holding a 5-star NSPF rating. It offers pathways in culinary arts, digital media, engineering, and healthcare — with dual-credit college course access and industry certifications.

View AACT's full NSPF profile at NevadaSchools.org →

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Galena High School & Reno High School

South & Midtown Reno | Traditional Public | Grades 9-12

• Galena High School: Serves affluent south Reno communities near Double Diamond and Damonte Ranch with strong AP offerings, robust athletics, and high graduation rates.
• Reno High School: Nevada's oldest public high school (est. 1902) in midtown Reno, offering strong AP participation, competitive sports, and high university placement.

Search and compare Galena and Reno High at NevadaSchools.org →

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Top Elementary Options: Roy Gomm & Caughlin Ranch

For families seeking top elementary preparation in Reno, Roy Gomm Elementary and Caughlin Ranch Elementary consistently earn 5-star NSPF ratings with math and reading proficiency rates exceeding 75%.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Reno School Ratings)

What is the #1 public school in Reno, Nevada?

Davidson Academy of Nevada (located on the UNR campus) is the #1 ranked public school for profoundly gifted students in Reno and Nevada. For career and technical education, AACT is the top magnet high school.

How do Washoe County schools compare to Clark County?

Washoe County (Reno/Sparks) generally posts higher average district-wide math and ELA proficiency rates than Clark County (Las Vegas), although Clark County has significantly expanded its 5-star magnet school options.

How do I compare schools in Washoe County?

Use the Nevada School Explorer interactive comparison tool to filter by star rating, grade level, and math/reading proficiency rates across all Reno public and charter schools.

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Search and compare every Washoe County school at NevadaSchools.org →