Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Inspirada earned the top spot among all Nevada elementary schools in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings released Oct. 20.
The K-8 charter school at 2840 Via Contessa in Henderson's Inspirada community ranked No. 1 out of 370 elementary schools statewide. Five Henderson schools landed in the top 10, more than any other city in the state.
According to the U.S. News profile, 85% of Pinecrest Inspirada students scored at or above the proficient level in reading and 82% hit that mark in math. Those figures far exceed statewide averages of 38% in reading and 30% in math, according to the school's ranking page. The school earned a "Well Above Expectations" rating in both subjects at both the elementary and middle school levels.
Pinecrest Inspirada enrolls 1,193 students and has a 22-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 54 full-time teachers, according to U.S. News. The school, led by Principal Mr. Albrecht, holds national STEM certification and earned a National Blue Ribbon School award in 2021, according to the school's website.
The rankings draw on state assessment data from the 2023-2024 school year and school profile data from the Common Core of Data (2025), according to U.S. News. The methodology evaluates student performance in math and reading alongside student demographic context, according to a U.S. News press release. Student-teacher ratios break ties in overall scores.
Eric Brooks, U.S. News director of education data analysis, said in the press release that the 2027 edition incorporates direct state data across all proficiency levels for a broader view of student performance.
Other Henderson schools in the top 10
Henderson dominated the statewide list. Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Sloan Canyon, another charter school at 675 E. Dale Ave., placed No. 4 with 74% reading proficiency and 65% math proficiency.
Three Clark County School District campuses in Henderson also cracked the top 10. Smalley James E. & A. Rae Elementary ranked No. 6 with an overall score of 98.64 out of 100. McCaw Gordon Elementary came in at No. 7 with a 98.37. Wolff Elise L. Elementary, located on Seven Hills Drive, placed No. 9 with a 97.83.
All three of those public schools enroll 100% economically disadvantaged students, according to U.S. News.
Nevada's top 10 elementary schools
- Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Inspirada, Henderson
- Caughlin Ranch Elementary, Reno
- Vassiliadis Billy & Rosemary Elementary, Las Vegas
- Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Sloan Canyon, Henderson
- Gehring Roger D Academy of Science & Technology Elementary, Las Vegas
- Smalley James E. & A. Rae Elementary, Henderson
- McCaw Gordon Elementary, Henderson
- Coral Academy Tamarus, Las Vegas
- Wolff Elise L. Elementary, Henderson
- Florence Drake Elementary, Sparks
U.S. News analyzed about 46,000 public elementary schools nationwide for the 2027 edition. Full school profiles and methodology details are available on the U.S. News education website.
