Lincoln, NV - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln

Lincoln County School District is a small rural district in eastern Nevada, serving students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across a handful of communities. The district's schools cluster in towns spread through the county: Caliente, Panaca, Pioche, and the Pahranagat Valley area. Each of these places is small, and the schools function as community anchors in a region where the nearest urban centers are hours away. The enrollment is modest, with the student body distributed across elementary, middle, and high schools, plus an adult high school and an adult corrections program that round out the district's offerings.

The student population is overwhelmingly white, with a smaller Hispanic presence and very few students from other racial or ethnic backgrounds. The district did not report free-or-reduced-price lunch data, so a direct read on economic need is unavailable. Special education and English learner counts were also missing from the data we received. A parent evaluating support services for either of those populations may want to ask the district directly.

On state assessments, Lincoln County's results tell a mixed but generally legible story. English language arts proficiency sits above the midpoint, with a solid share of tested students clearing the proficiency bar. Math is more middling, with fewer than half of tested students proficient. Science trails both, with a smaller portion of students reaching proficiency. Participation rates were strong in math and English, though science participation dipped. No multi-year trend data was available, so it is hard to say whether these results represent improvement, decline, or a steady state. A parent wanting to understand the direction of things should ask the district for several years of results.

Graduation rate data was not provided, which is a gap a family would want to fill before making a high school decision. The district operates two high schools: Lincoln County High School and Pahranagat Valley High School, plus C O Bastian High School, whose name and placement suggest an alternative or specialized program. The district also lists adult education programs, which speaks to a mission extending beyond the traditional K-12 population. Without course access or staffing data, we cannot say how broad the high school course offerings are or how loaded the teaching staff is. Program offerings, which would reveal AP, career, or dual-credit pathways, were also absent from the data. A parent whose teenager is college-bound should ask directly about what advanced coursework is available.

The housing market here is one of the most affordable in Nevada. Typical home values across the district's zip codes run far below the state benchmark and below the national figure. The price-to-income ratio sits comfortably in affordable territory, meaning a household earning the area's median income can buy a home without the kind of financial strain common in Nevada's urban corridors. Home values have been climbing recently, which may reflect growing interest in rural living, but the baseline remains low. Rental data was not available, which limits the picture for families who are not in a position to buy.

We looked for recent district-level changes that would matter to families, such as leadership transitions, bond measures, program launches, or school closures. The search turned up little of lasting impact, so there is no major shift a parent needs to factor in right now.

What this district offers is a small, rural, community-rooted education across a geographically spread set of towns. The academic results are strongest in literacy, softer in math and science. The housing is genuinely affordable. The gaps in the data, particularly around graduation rates, program offerings, and student support populations, mean a family would need to do some direct outreach to the district to get a complete picture before committing. For a family drawn to rural Nevada life and small schools, Lincoln County is a place where those values align with the setting. The question is whether the academic program meets the child's needs, and that is best answered by talking with the schools themselves.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

959

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 8%

Black 2%

White 84%

Asian 1%

Two+ 4%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 1%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

32%

68%

Gr 4

59%

47%

Gr 5

65%

66%

Gr 7

63%

72%

Gr 38

50%

61%

Math

Gr 3

45%

74%

Gr 4

49%

47%

Gr 38

37%

47%

Science

Gr 38

22%

—

Schools in this District

11 schools are officially reported under this district.

Caliente Elementary School

Lincoln County High School

C O Bastian High School

Pahranagat Valley Elementary School

Pahranagat Valley High School

Panaca Elementary School

Pioche Elementary School

Meadow Valley Middle School

Pahranagat Valley Middle School

Lincoln County Adult Corrections

Lincoln County Adult High School

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

43%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

57%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

35%

Grades 3-8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$223,546

Year-over-year change+8.0%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$208K to $244K

vs. state typical0.50x

vs. national typical0.61x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
89008	Caliente	$208K	+5.7%	40.2%
89043		$239K	+11.4%	31.9%
89001		$232K	+6.9%	11.3%
89042	Panaca	$244K	+5.4%	2.4%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,128/mo

Home price / national median income2.7x

Comparison

State typical home value$447,225 (-2.0% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.