Nevada High Schools: 2026 Complete Rankings, NSPF Scores & District Guide
In the latest 2025 NSPF cycle, Nevada State High School Downtown Henderson leads Nevada with 5★ and an index score of 100/100 on official Nevada accountability measures. The full top 5 high schools in Nevada for 2026: 1. Nevada State High School Downtown Henderson (5★) · 2. College of So NV HS South (5★) · 3. Davidson Academy (5★). 5 public, magnet, and charter campuses are tracked statewide on the same framework, so you can compare any school directly on math, ELA, and student growth. Nevada schools are part of the same NSPF system as Clark & Washoe Counties. Use the NevadaSchools.org comparison tool to confirm the metrics that matter most to your family, then visit the campus before committing.
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Official 2026 rankings and comprehensive guide to Nevada high schools across Clark County, Washoe County, and rural districts. Compare NSPF index scores, graduation rates, math and ELA proficiencies, and magnet vs. zoned options.
Nevada High Schools: 2026 Complete Rankings, NSPF Scores & District Guide
> Quick Answer (AEO Summary): Nevada evaluates public and charter high schools using the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) on a 100-point index scale. For the 2025–2026 academic year, top-ranked campuses include Advanced Technologies Academy (97.0), West Career & Technical Academy (97.0), Coral Academy High School (99.5), and CSN High School South (98.1), leading the state in math proficiency and graduation rates.
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Choosing a high school in Nevada involves navigating one of the nation's most diverse secondary education landscapes. Across Clark County School District (CCSD), Washoe County School District (WCSD), the State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA), and rural county systems, parents and students choose between comprehensive neighborhood schools, specialized Career & Technical Academies (CTAs), early college high schools, and STEM-focused charter academies.
Under the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF), high schools are rated on a rigorous 100-point index combining 11th-grade ACT performance, 4-year and 5-year graduation rates, college and career readiness (CCR) credentials, and chronic absenteeism.
Below are the official 2026 rankings, school profiles, and district comparisons based on audited Nevada Department of Education accountability metrics.
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How Nevada Rates High Schools: The 100-Point Secondary Framework
Unlike elementary and middle schools—which rely heavily on Smarter Balanced (SBAC) exams and growth percentiles—Nevada high schools are evaluated on postsecondary readiness and on-time completion:
1. Academic Achievement (25 Points): Grade 11 ACT exam performance across Mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA), and Science. 2. Graduation Rates (30 Points): 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (25 points) and 5-year extended cohort rate (5 points). 3. College & Career Readiness (25 Points): Completion of Advanced Placement (AP) courses with an exam score of 3+, International Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas, dual-credit college courses, or state-recognized Career & Technical Education (CTE) industry certifications. 4. English Language Progress (10 Points): Growth on the WIDA ACCESS exam for English language learners toward English proficiency. 5. Student Engagement & Attendance (10 Points): Chronic absenteeism penalty, tracking the percentage of students who miss 10% or more of enrolled days (18+ days per school year).
To simulate how individual exam scores or graduation benchmarks alter a campus rating, explore the interactive Nevada NSPF Star Rating Decoder.
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2026 Statewide Nevada High School Rankings (Top 12 Performers)
The table below details official 2025/2026 accountability data from the Nevada Department of Education for the state's highest-performing secondary campuses:
| School Name | District / Sector | Location / Campus | Star Rating | NSPF Index | Math Prof. | ELA Prof. | Chronic Absenteeism | Profile Link | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :--- | | Coral Academy High School | Washoe County | Reno (89512) | 5 Stars | 99.5 / 100 | 46.9% | 70.3% | N/A | View Profile | | CSN High School South | Clark County (CCSD) | Henderson (89002) | 5 Stars | 98.1 / 100 | 52.7% | 93.0% | 9.5% | View Profile | | Advanced Technologies Academy (A-Tech) | Clark County (CCSD) | Las Vegas (89106) | 5 Stars | 97.0 / 100 | 66.4% | 92.1% | 12.9% | View Profile | | West Career & Technical Academy | Clark County (CCSD) | Summerlin West (89135) | 5 Stars | 97.0 / 100 | 62.0% | 89.8% | 9.2% | View Profile | | Academy of Arts, Careers & Tech (AACT) | Washoe County | Reno (89512) | 5 Stars | 97.0 / 100 | 44.9% | 72.6% | 11.2% | View Profile | | CSN High School West | Clark County (CCSD) | Las Vegas (89146) | 5 Stars | 96.2 / 100 | 50.0% | 92.2% | 16.1% | View Profile | | TMCC Magnet School | Washoe County | Reno (89512) | 5 Stars | 96.2 / 100 | 75.2% | N/A | 17.5% | View Profile | | Southwest Career & Technical Academy | Clark County (CCSD) | Enterprise (89113) | 5 Stars | 96.0 / 100 | 42.5% | 84.8% | 11.4% | View Profile | | Northwest Career-Technical Academy | Clark County (CCSD) | Centennial Hills (89149) | 5 Stars | 95.5 / 100 | 43.4% | 84.4% | 10.6% | View Profile | | Coronado High School | Clark County (CCSD) | Henderson (89052) | 5 Stars | 87.0 / 100 | 41.0% | 64.8% | 22.5% | View Profile | | Galena High School | Washoe County | Reno (89511) | 5 Stars | 85.5 / 100 | 47.0% | 74.1% | 18.9% | View Profile | | Incline High School | Washoe County | Incline Village (89451) | 5 Stars | 85.0 / 100 | 34.6% | 50.0% | 20.7% | View Profile |
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Clark County (Las Vegas) High Schools: Magnets vs. Zoned Options
Clark County School District (CCSD) operates more than 50 high schools serving over 100,000 secondary students across Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin.
Specialized Magnet & Career-Technical Academies (CTAs)
CCSD's Career and Technical Academies are among the nation's highest-performing public magnet schools. Campuses such as Advanced Technologies Academy (A-Tech), West Career & Technical Academy (WCTA) in Summerlin West, and Southwest Career & Technical Academy (SWCTA) in Enterprise admit students valley-wide through a centralized lottery system. These schools do not charge tuition, offer transport zones, and focus on practical career pipelines including software development, biomedical science, nursing, engineering, and digital media.
Top Comprehensive Neighborhood High Schools in Clark County
For families seeking traditional neighborhood high schools with full NIAA 5A athletic programs, marching bands, and large-campus student life:
- Coronado High School (Henderson, 89052): Earns a 5-star NSPF rating with an 87.0 index score, a 91.4% graduation rate, and 41.0% math proficiency. It serves master-planned communities including Green Valley Ranch and Seven Hills.
- Palo Verde High School (Summerlin, 89144): Earns 4 stars with an 80.5 index score, 66.2% ELA proficiency, and a robust Advanced Placement curriculum serving the master-planned Summerlin community.
- Foothill High School (Henderson, 89002): Provides strong CTE programs in robotics and veterinary science, serving southeast Henderson and Horizon Ridge.
To check the exact high school assigned to your residential address, use our Nevada School Zone Finder.
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Washoe County (Reno & Sparks) High Schools
Northern Nevada secondary schools are centered around Reno, Sparks, and Lake Tahoe, offering both signature academy pathways and top-ranked neighborhood campuses:
- Coral Academy of Science High School (Reno): Leads Washoe County with an exceptional 99.5 NSPF index score, 70.3% ELA proficiency, and a strong college-prep STEM curriculum.
- Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology (AACT): Located in central Reno, AACT posts a 97.0 index score and 72.6% ELA proficiency with specialized academies in culinary arts, medical careers, and communication arts.
- TMCC Magnet High School: Operated on the Truckee Meadows Community College campus, TMCC Magnet posts a state-leading 75.2% math proficiency through dual-credit enrollment.
- Galena High School (South Reno): The highest-performing comprehensive zoned high school in northern Nevada, earning 5 stars with an 85.5 index score, an 89.7% graduation rate, and 74.1% ELA proficiency.
- Incline High School (Lake Tahoe): Serving the Incline Village community on Lake Tahoe's north shore, Incline High earns 5 stars with an 85.0 index score and exceptional AP participation.
- Reno High School (Old Southwest Reno): Washoe County's oldest high school campus earns 5 stars with an 83.5 index score and 58.0% ELA proficiency.
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Dual Enrollment & Early College Pathways
Nevada offers two standout early college models that allow students to graduate high school with an associate degree or up to 60 transferrable college credits: 1. College of Southern Nevada High Schools (East, South, West): Operating directly on CSN college campuses in Cheyenne, Henderson, and Charleston, these dual-enrollment programs boast 5-star ratings, index scores above 96.0, and ELA proficiencies exceeding 87%. 2. Nevada State High School Network: Public charter network with campuses across Las Vegas, Henderson, and Reno that transitions high school juniors and seniors full-time into college lecture halls.
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Comparing Nevada High Schools: Key Parent Checklist
When comparing high schools on NevadaSchools.org, review these core indicators before making a commitment: 1. Graduation Rate vs. State Benchmark: Nevada's statewide average graduation rate is 77.0%. Look for campuses exceeding 85% to 90%. 2. Chronic Absenteeism Rates: Attendance directly impacts classroom pacing. Campuses with absenteeism below 15% provide far more consistent instructional continuity than schools where 30% to 40% of students miss 18+ days. 3. Advanced Coursework (AP & Dual Credit): Review whether the campus offers College Board Advanced Placement, dual college credits, or industry CTE credentials. 4. Compare Side-by-Side: Benchmark any two schools head-to-head using our Side-by-Side School Comparison Engine. 5. Explore Community Partners: Discover local test-prep, tutoring, and college counseling services in our Education Directory & Partner Portal.
rankingsTop 5 High Schools in Nevada (2026)
- Nevada State High School Downtown Henderson — 5-star NSPF rating · 100/100 index · Henderson · Charter
- College of So NV HS South — 5-star NSPF rating · 99.3/100 index · Henderson
- Davidson Academy — 5-star NSPF rating · 98.8/100 index · Reno
- Coral Academy Sandy Ridge — 5-star NSPF rating · 98.5/100 index · Henderson · Charter
- College of So NV HS West — 5-star NSPF rating · 98.1/100 index · Las Vegas
Source: Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) index scores, latest reporting year. Compare every Nevada school →
Quick answers
chevron_rightWhat is the main takeaway from Nevada High Schools: 2026 Complete Rankings, NSPF Scores & District Guide?
Official 2026 rankings and comprehensive guide to Nevada high schools across Clark County, Washoe County, and rural districts. Compare NSPF index scores, graduation rates, math and ELA proficiencies, and magnet vs. zoned options.
chevron_rightWhere does NevadaSchools.org get its school information?
NevadaSchools.org uses official Nevada school accountability data, including NSPF star ratings, index scores, proficiency metrics, graduation rates, and related public school profile information.
chevron_rightWhat is the top-rated high school in Nevada?
Nevada State High School Downtown Henderson is currently the highest-rated high school in Nevada on the Nevada School Performance Framework, with an index score of 100/100. Use the NevadaSchools.org comparison tool to see math, ELA, and performance detail on every school in the top 10.
chevron_rightHow do Nevada schools compare to Clark & Washoe Counties schools?
Nevada and Clark & Washoe Counties both report to the same statewide Nevada accountability system — the NSPF — but typically diverge on student-teacher ratios, ELL population, and graduation rate. Nevada generally posts higher district-wide math and ELA proficiency rates than Clark & Washoe Counties, although Clark & Washoe Counties has expanded its 5-star magnet school options in recent years. Use the NevadaSchools.org district-comparison tool for a head-to-head.
chevron_rightHow is the Nevada NSPF star rating calculated?
The Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) assigns 1 to 5 stars using a weighted composite of academic achievement, academic growth, English-language progress, chronic absenteeism (elementary/middle), and graduation rate (high school). A school's index score combines the same indicators on a 0–100 scale, and star tier is bucketed from that score.
chevron_rightWhat are the highest-rated high schools in Nevada?
Nevada's highest-rated high schools on the 2026 NSPF index include Coral Academy of Science High School (99.5), CSN High School South (98.1), Advanced Technologies Academy (97.0), West Career & Technical Academy (97.0), and AACT Reno (97.0).
chevron_rightHow do Nevada magnet and CTA high schools differ from zoned high schools?
Nevada magnet and Career & Technical Academies (CTAs) require no tuition and admit students through district lotteries rather than residential zones. They offer specialized programs in engineering, biotechnology, cyber security, and nursing, consistently posting state-leading ACT scores and graduation rates.
chevron_rightWhat is the graduation rate benchmark for Nevada high schools?
Nevada evaluates high schools on their 4-year and 5-year adjusted cohort graduation rates under the NSPF. The statewide average high school graduation rate is 77.0%, while top-ranked 5-star high schools routinely exceed 90% to 95%.
Ready to compare specific Nevada schools?
Search over 980+ public, charter, and magnet schools across Clark, Washoe, and rural counties by academic score and star rating.
Sources and next steps
NevadaSchools.org uses official Nevada school accountability data, including NSPF ratings, proficiency metrics, graduation rates, and public school profile information. For the original state source, review the Nevada Report Card.