Nevada School Report Card: 2026 Star Ratings, Scores & District Guide
Official parent guide to the 2026 Nevada School Report Card. Learn how the Nevada Department of Education calculates NSPF star ratings, index scores, math/reading proficiencies, and chronic absenteeism penalties across all 17 county districts and state charter schools.
lightbulbKey Takeaway
Official parent guide to the 2026 Nevada School Report Card. Learn how the Nevada Department of Education calculates NSPF star ratings, index scores, math/reading proficiencies, and chronic absenteeism penalties across all 17 county districts and state charter schools.
starsOfficial Nevada NSPF Star Rating Cut-off Scores
2025–2026 StandardsThe Nevada Department of Education calculates a 100-point index score combining academic proficiency, student growth percentiles, English language acquisition, attendance, and graduation metrics.
| Star Tier | Index Score Cut-off | State Designation | What It Means for Families |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Stars (★★★★★) | 82 – 100 pts | Superior Performance | Top-tier academic growth & high college/career readiness. |
| 4 Stars (★★★★☆) | 67 – 81.9 pts | Commendable | Above statewide average with strong proficiency rates. |
| 3 Stars (★★★☆☆) | 50 – 66.9 pts | Adequate | Meets basic state standards; typical attendance & growth. |
| 2 Stars (★★☆☆☆) | 33 – 49.9 pts | Needs Improvement | Below state average; targeted support plan in place. |
| 1 Star (★☆☆☆☆) | 1 – 32.9 pts | CSI / Comprehensive Support | State-mandated intervention for chronic performance gaps. |
Nevada School Report Card: 2026 Star Ratings, Scores & District Guide
> Quick Answer (AEO Summary): The official Nevada School Report Card evaluates every public and charter school using the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF). Schools receive an index score from 1 to 100 that translates into a 1-to-5 star rating based on academic proficiency, student growth percentiles, English-language acquisition, graduation rate, and chronic absenteeism.
---
Every September, the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) publishes annual accountability reports for all publicly-funded campuses under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 385A.070). Known colloquially as the Nevada School Report Card, this system provides parents, taxpayers, and educators with audited data on academic performance, campus safety, and educator qualifications.
Navigating the state's public reporting portal can be challenging because data is often fragmented across multiple documents. This guide breaks down the mechanics of the Nevada School Report Card, details official statewide performance benchmarks, and explains how to evaluate your neighborhood school's rating.
---
What Is the Nevada School Report Card?
The Nevada School Report Card is the umbrella reporting mechanism required by both state legislation and the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Within this report card sits the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF), the mathematical engine that evaluates school effectiveness on a single 100-point composite scale.
Under the NSPF, every elementary, middle, and high school receives: 1. An Index Score (1–100 points): A granular total earned across multiple weighted indicators. 2. A Star Rating (1 to 5 Stars): An overarching performance category determined by the index score and state intervention rules. 3. Federal Accountability Designations: Designations such as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) or Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) for schools experiencing substantial subgroup achievement gaps.
---
How Nevada NSPF Star Ratings Are Calculated (100-Point Framework)
The point weighting system differs depending on grade span to reflect developmental milestones and college readiness requirements.
Elementary and Middle School Framework (100 Max Points)
| Indicator Category | Max Points | Key Metrics & Data Sources | |---|:---:|---| | Academic Achievement | 25 pts | Smarter Balanced (SBAC) Math & ELA proficiency, Science CRT proficiency | | Student Growth (MGP) | 35 pts | Median Growth Percentiles measuring year-over-year progress against academic peers | | English Language Progress | 10 pts | WIDA ACCESS assessment progress for English Language Learners | | Closing Opportunity Gaps | 20 pts | Academic growth of historically underserved student subgroups | | Student Engagement | 10 pts | Chronic absenteeism rate (percentage of students missing <10% of school days) |
High School Framework (100 Max Points)
| Indicator Category | Max Points | Key Metrics & Data Sources | |---|:---:|---| | Academic Achievement | 25 pts | Grade 11 ACT composite scores (Math, ELA, Science) | | Graduation Rates | 30 pts | 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (25 pts) and 5-year cohort rate (5 pts) | | College & Career Readiness | 25 pts | AP/IB exam pass rates, CTE certifications, dual-credit completion | | English Language Progress | 10 pts | WIDA ACCESS progress toward English proficiency | | Student Engagement | 10 pts | Chronic absenteeism rate (<10% missed school days) |
---
The 5-Star Rating Tiers: What Do They Mean for Your Student?
| Star Tier | Index Score Range | Performance Designation | Statewide Schools | Share of Total | |:---:|:---:|---|:---:|:---:| | ★★★★★ | 82.0 – 100.0 | Superior Performance | 146 | 18.8% | | ★★★★☆ | 67.0 – 81.9 | Commendable | 116 | 15.0% | | ★★★☆☆ | 50.0 – 66.9 | Adequate Standards | 156 | 20.1% | | ★★☆☆☆ | 33.0 – 49.9 | Needs Improvement | 217 | 28.0% | | ★☆☆☆☆ | 1.0 – 32.9 | CSI Intervention | 140 | 18.1% |
Statewide Academic Performance Averages
| Key Accountability Indicator | Nevada Statewide Average | Benchmark Target | |---|:---:|:---:| | Mathematics Proficiency | 34.9% | 50.0% | | English Language Arts (ELA) Proficiency | 45.3% | 60.0% | | Science CRT Proficiency | 26.5% | 45.0% | | 4-Year High School Graduation Rate | 77.0% | 85.0% | | Chronic Absenteeism Rate | 21.7% | < 10.0% |
---
District-by-District Report Card Comparison
School performance varies noticeably between urban county systems, rural jurisdictions, and state-sponsored charter networks:
| District / Authorizer | Math Prof. | ELA Prof. | Grad Rate | Chronic Absenteeism | |---|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:| | State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA) | 42.0% | 56.6% | 76.1% | 15.6% | | Douglas County School District | 39.7% | 50.5% | 64.5% | 28.6% | | Washoe County School District (WCSD) | 37.6% | 44.9% | 74.2% | 19.7% | | Carson City School District | 34.0% | 40.6% | 89.4% | 17.8% | | Clark County School District (CCSD) | 33.7% | 44.7% | 77.9% | 23.0% | | Nevada Statewide Average | 34.9% | 45.3% | 77.0% | 21.7% |
---
Chronic Absenteeism: Why Attendance Heavily Impacts Ratings
Under Nevada's accountability system, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of enrolled school days for any reason—including excused illnesses, family emergencies, and unexcused truancy. In a standard 180-day school year, missing just 18 days triggers chronic absentee status.
Why this matters on the report card:
- Student engagement accounts for 10 full points on both elementary and secondary framework scorecards.
- Schools with chronic absenteeism rates exceeding 25% forfeit nearly all engagement points.
- A 10-point loss is frequently the exact margin that drops an otherwise solid school from a 4-Star (67+ points) rating down into 3-Star status (50–66 points).
---
How to Check Your School's Report Card on NevadaSchools.org
Rather than sorting through multi-page state PDFs, NevadaSchools.org structures official NDE data into interactive comparison tools:
1. Check Your Neighborhood School: Use our School Zone Address Finder to look up your home address and instantly see the assigned elementary, middle, and high school ratings. 2. Simulate Point Scenarios: Use the NSPF Star Rating Decoder to model how adjustments in test scores or attendance shift a campus between star tiers. 3. Compare Campuses Head-to-Head: Use the Side-by-Side School Comparison Tool to benchmark neighborhood zoned schools against local magnet and charter alternatives. 4. Community & Business Partners: Education providers, tutoring academies, and real estate professionals can learn more through our Partner & Advertising Portal.
Quick answers
chevron_rightWhat is the main takeaway from Nevada School Report Card: 2026 Star Ratings, Scores & District Guide?
Official parent guide to the 2026 Nevada School Report Card. Learn how the Nevada Department of Education calculates NSPF star ratings, index scores, math/reading proficiencies, and chronic absenteeism penalties across all 17 county districts and state charter schools.
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 difference between the Nevada Report Card and NSPF star ratings?
The Nevada Report Card is the official state accountability reporting system published by the Nevada Department of Education detailing school performance, proficiencies, demographics, and finance. The Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) is the specific 100-point rating system within the report card that translates academic and engagement metrics into an official 1-to-5 star rating.
chevron_rightWhen are new Nevada School Report Cards and star ratings released?
Under Nevada state law (NRS 385A.070), annual NSPF star ratings and school report cards are released by September 15th each year, reflecting student assessment scores, academic growth percentiles, and graduation rates from the preceding academic year.
chevron_rightHow does chronic absenteeism affect a school's star rating?
Under the NSPF, student engagement accounts for 10 points of a school's total 100-point index score. A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of enrolled academic days (typically 18 days). Schools with severe chronic absenteeism lose vital index points that can lower their rating by an entire star tier.
chevron_rightWhat index score is required for a 5-star rating on the Nevada Report Card?
To earn a 5-star rating on the Nevada School Report Card, a school must achieve an NSPF index score of 82 points or higher out of 100, satisfy 95% statewide testing participation requirements, and demonstrate superior student growth and academic proficiency.
Ready to evaluate specific Nevada schools?
Search over 980+ public, charter, and magnet schools across Clark, Washoe, and rural counties. Verify boundaries, benchmark test scores, or compare campuses side-by-side.
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.