The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in English language arts. The lowest is 3% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Smithridge S.t.e.m. Academy
Smithridge S.T.E.M. Academy is a regular public elementary school in the Washoe County School District, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade on Neil Road in Reno. The school's name signals a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math, though no program-specific details were available in the data to describe what that emphasis looks like day to day. A parent interested in the STEM theme would want to ask the school directly how it shapes instruction, projects, or enrichment at each grade level.
The enrollment is moderate for an elementary school, with a fairly even spread across the grade bands and a pre-kindergarten classroom that gives families an early entry point. Every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which places Smithridge firmly among schools serving communities with concentrated economic need. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with smaller shares of white, multiracial, Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. The school does not report individualized education program counts or English learner figures, so the special education and English learner populations can't be characterized here. Title I status was also not provided, though the universal free-or-reduced-price lunch rate strongly suggests the school receives federal support for high-poverty campuses.
On the most recent state assessments, roughly a third of tested students reached proficiency in math and in English language arts. Science proficiency was markedly lower, with only a small number of students testing proficient. The science result covers only fifth graders, so the tested group is a fraction of the full school, which partly explains the low count. Participation was high across all three subjects. No multi-year trend data was available, so there is no basis to judge whether performance is rising, falling, or flat. A parent weighing this school would benefit from asking how the administration is responding to the science result and what supports are in place for students performing below proficiency in math and reading.
Reno frames the setting. The city mixes a walkable downtown core, anchored by casino resorts and the Truckee River corridor, with sprawling residential and commercial areas that are largely car-dependent. Smithridge sits in the broader urban footprint rather than the compact downtown, so families should expect a driving commute for most errands and activities. Reno has absorbed major technology and logistics investment in recent years, with publicly reported projects from Tesla, Amazon, Panasonic, Microsoft, Apple, and Google reshaping the regional economy. The University of Nevada, Reno adds an academic and cultural presence. Annual events like the Reno Rodeo, Hot August Nights, and the Great Reno Balloon Races contribute to civic life, and proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada gives residents access to outdoor recreation. The city has been growing, drawing interest from Bay Area companies and workers seeking lower costs.
Housing in the school's zip code sits below the statewide benchmark for home values, and rents are also modest relative to many Nevada markets. Estimated monthly mortgage costs run well above typical rents, which reflects the current interest rate environment and makes renting a meaningfully cheaper option than buying for families considering the area. Home values have edged down slightly year over year, while rents have risen a touch.
The Washoe County School District brief returned no curriculum or strategic-plan details, so there is nothing to report on recent district-level changes that might affect Smithridge. No neighbor comparison fact-set was provided either, so the school can't be positioned against nearby campuses here. A parent reviewing this school has the assessment results and community context to work with, and would do well to fill the remaining gaps by visiting and asking about classroom practice, support services, and how the STEM identity plays out in the weekly schedule.
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