Echo Ridge Christian School Photo - Kindness, friendship, and acceptance are key to a safe and happy school.

Best Nevada County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 private schools serving 673 students in Nevada County, CA (there are 46 public schools, serving 13,206 public students). 5% of all K-12 students in Nevada County, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The top-ranked private schools in Nevada County, CA include Mount St. Marys Academy and Echo Ridge Christian School.
The average acceptance rate is 90%, which is higher than the California private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
44% of private schools in Nevada County, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Other).

Top-Ranked Nevada County Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Echo Ridge Christian School
Echo Ridge Christian School Photo
(Seventh Day Adventist)
15504 Liberty Cir
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-2057
Gr: K-8 | 36 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Mount St. Marys Academy
(Catholic)
400 S Church Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-4694
Gr: PK-8 | 199 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
14618 Tyler Foote Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 478-7640
Gr: K-12 | 25 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition listed
Charis Youth Center
Special Education School
714 W Main St
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 477-9800
Gr: 7-12 | 16 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
Christian Encounter High School
(Christian)
17183 Retrac Way
Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 268-0877
Gr: 11-12 | 6 students
Mountain Valley School
All-boys | Alternative School
24077 State Highway 49
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-9057
Gr: 8-12 | 15 students
Oakhaven Montessori School
Montessori School
13345 Rough Andready Hwy Rough
Rough And Ready, CA 95975
(530) 271-1258
Gr: PK-K | 23 students Tuition listed
Sugar Bowl Academy
815 Lupine Trail
Norden, CA 95724
(530) 269-7401
Gr: 6-12 | 115 students Avg. class size: 7 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
Tahoe Expedition Academy
Tahoe Expedition Academy Photo
(19)
9765 Schaffer Mill Road
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 546-5253
Gr: PK-12 | 238 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed

Overview

This County (Nevada County)
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
673 Students
665,722 Students
% Average Students of Color
12%
51%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
67 Teachers
55,562 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
83%
59%
Average Class Size
13 students
17 students
Average SAT score
1220
(Out of 1600)
1262

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$18,450
$18,024
Average % on Financial Aid
29%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$6,700
$8,935
Average Acceptance Rate
90%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.53
0.74
# American Indian Students
n/a
3,584 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
9 Students
72,174 Students
% Asian Students
1%
11%
# Hispanic Students
18 Students
104,627 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
16%
# Black Students
10 Students
30,466 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
405 Students
236,488 Students
% White Students
60%
37%
# Hawaiian Students
4 Students
5,515 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
227 Students
190,072 Students
% of Others Students
34%
30%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
5 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
9 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Nevada County, CA?
The top-ranked private schools in Nevada County, CA include Mount St. Marys Academy and Echo Ridge Christian School.
How many private schools are located in Nevada County?
9 private schools are located in Nevada County.
How diverse are private schools in Nevada County?
Nevada County private schools are approximately 12% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of students in Nevada County go to private school?
5% of all K-12 students in Nevada County are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Nevada County?
44% of private schools in Nevada County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Other).
Which private schools in Nevada County are often viewed compared to one another?

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