Lifestyle, Nevada County Schools, Real Estate
Nevada County Schools Rank High
The high quality of schools in Nevada County, and diversity of selection especially in Elementary Education, of is well known. Below we detail key grades given to our local schools in Nevada City, Grass Valley, Penn Valley, and surrounding communities as ranked by www.niche.com.
Elementary Schools in Nevada City, Grass Valley & Penn Valley.
Clear Creek Elementary School, Public, Grass Valley – K-8 Overall Grade A, 149 students, 19:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Nevada City Charter School, Public Charter, Nevada City – K-8 Overall Grade B+, 55 students, 21:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Alta Sierra Elementary School, Public, Grass Valley – K-5 Overall Grade B+, 289 students, 21:1 StudentTeacher ratio.
Cottage Hill Elementary School, Public, Grass Valley – K-5 Overall Grade B+, 474 students, 22:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Deer Creek Elementary School, Public, Nevada City – K-4 Overall Grade B, 410 students, 21:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Yuba River Charter School, Public Charter, Nevada City – K-8 Overall Grade B, 292 schools, 24:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Ready Springs Elementary School, Public, Penn Valley – K-8 Overall Grade B, 212 students, 24:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Grass Valley Charter School, Grass Valley, Public – K-8 Overall Grade B, 511 Students, 23:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Nevada City School Of the Arts, Public, Nevada City – K-8 Overall Grade B, 390 students, 23:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Bell Hill Academy, Public, Grass Valley – K-4 Overall Grade B, 201 students, 22:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Sierra Montessori Academy, Public, Grass Valley, K-8 Overall Grade B, 100 students, 16:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Chicago Park Elementary School, Public, Grass Valley, K-8, Overall Grade B, 121 students, 22:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Twin Ridges Home Study Charter School, Public Charter, K-8,Nevada City, Overall Grade B, 118 students, 26:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Forest Charter School, Public Charter, Nevada City, K-12, Overall Grade B-, 720 students, 19:1 students, 19:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary School, Grass VAlley, Public, K-4, Overall Grade C+, 500 students, 22:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Union Hill Elementary School, Grass Valley, Public, K-6, Overall Grade C+, 486 students, 26:1 Studnent/Teacher ratio.
Chicago Park Elementary School, Public, Grass Valley, K-8, Overall Grade C, 52 students, 22:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Grizzly Hill, Nevada City, Public, K-8 Overall Grade C, 91 students, 22:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Union Hill Home Charter School, Grass Valley, K-8 Overall Grade B, 16 students, 7:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Williams Ranch Elementary School, Public, Penn Valley, K-3 Overall Grade B, 218 students, 22:1 Student Teacher ratio.
High Schools
Nevada Union High School, Public, Grass Valley, 9-12 Overall Grade B-.
William & Marian Ghiddotti High School, Grass Valley, Public Alternative, Overall Grade A+. Ghiddotti High is a college prep high school component of Nevada Union High, considered by many to be one of the best High Schools in the state of California.
Bear River High School, Public, Grass Valley Overall Grade B.
Niche.com has a wealth of information. Visit the site to view expanded grading categories and methodology the site uses to evaluate schools and assign grades. What is cool about this site is that it connects with Realtor.com to allow you to view houses in each vicinity and to gather neighborhood data.
Johnson & Geare’s Sierra Lifestyle team has personal experience with many of the local schools here and is happy to share experience and impressions with you. Please contact us with any questions.
Community Events, Events In Nevada County, Important News and Info, Lifestyle
Summer…my favorite time of the year for fresh fruit and vegetables! And Nevada County offers a huge selection of farmers markets to choose from. Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley and other
surroundings area host farmers markets where we can gather great fruit, vegetables and other food items to enjoy. Farm to table at it’s purest and best.
Farmers from around California come to sell their farm fresh items. Here is Nevada County we are blessed to have farmers markets available to us on several different days of the week, and a variety of locations make it convenient. From South Nevada County to Penn Valley the farmers market are sprinkled through out the week in various locations.
My favorite is Thursday Night Market in Downtown Grass Valley. This event takes place On Thursdays evening 5:30pm to 9pm in Historic downtown Grass Valley. Similar to other events downtown Grass Valley throughout the year, Mill Street is closed to traffic and all sorts of vendors set up booths selling everything from fresh fruits to homemade bath soap and more. They are also offer street concerts for your listening enjoyment. Thursday Night Market takes the usual farmers market to a whole new level, supported by Grass Valley’s Downtown Association.
So take a peek below at all your choices. I encourage you to check out the various markets. We are so lucky to have in our back yard so many talented, hard-working local farmers committed to bringing fresh-picked food to out tables!
Local Nevada County Farmers Markets
Tuesdays:
Nevada County Horseman (Nevada County Certified Growers Market)
May 2 – September 26, 2017
Tuesdays, 9:00am – 1:00 pm
10600 Bubbling Wells Road, Grass Valley
Thursdays:
Western Gateway Park (Nevada County Certified Growers Market)
May 4 – November 16, 2017
Thursdays, 9:00am – 1:00 pm
18560 Penn Valley Drive, Penn Valley
Thursday Night Market
June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27 & August 3, 2017
5:30pm – 9:00pm
Downtown Grass Valley
Saturdays:
Historic North Star House (Nevada County Certified Growers Market)
Saturdays, April 15 – November 18, 2017
8:00am – 12:30 pm
12075 Auburn Road, Grass Valley
Downtown Nevada City Summer Farmers Market
Saturdays, June 3rd – November 18th 2017
Hours 8:30am – 1:00pm
Contact information for farmer’s markets
Foothill Farmers Market Association
Lake of the PInes Farmers Market
Nevada City Farmers Market
Nevada County Certified Growers Market
Important News and Info, Lifestyle, Real Estate
Selling your home in Nevada County can feel like a daunting task. With the right agents, and by following a few “rules” it can be not only easy, but pleasant as well! The info graphic to the right is an excellentstarting point for what some turn-offs for sellers are.
Stained and/or damp patches on ceilings and walls.
Painting is one of the most affordable updates you can do for your home. Clean walls in neutral colors can not only make the home feel new, but it helps buyers envision their possessions in this space.
It’s important to resolve any leaks prior to painting. If you need a referral for a repair service, let us know.
Odors
Odors can also be mitigated by painting. Cleaning or replacing carpets may be necessary as well depending on the strength and source of the odors. While this seems like an expense, it can not only be the difference on if your home sells, but how quickly, and for how much.
Dull Lighting
Dull or dim lighting can be a huge turn off for buyers. Even a dark house can be well-lit with the right wattage of bulbs. The new LED style bulbs are excellent as they save money while providing the same, or even more light than a standard incandescent bulb. Also, make sure drapes and blinds are open in all areas to bring in more natural lighting as well.
Outdated Bathrooms
Out dated bathrooms with stained sinks, bathtubs, showers and floors are a huge turn off. Sometimes something as simple as new faucets and a new light fixture can be all that is needed to update and beautify this space. Also, make sure there is plenty of light in the bathroom as well. Also, install a nice smelling scent dispenser like a plugin or essential oil diffuser to help with unpleasant odors.
Cluttered Rooms
Cluttered rooms can kill a sale very quickly. A potential buyers needs to be able to not only comfortably walk through your home, but also not be distracted by too many photos, knickknacks and decor. If they can’t see the floors and the walls because of too much stuff, they cannot envision how they would use the space. Counters and tables should be cleared, art work should be kept neutral, and to a minimum, and corners need to be cleared. Put the shoes in the closet, and keep throw blankets out of sight as well. Less is more!
Over The Top Decor
This also falls in with clutter. Even if orange is your favorite color, cover the walls with a more neutral shade of paint. Keep the cheetah prints, furry rugs and pillows and things of that nature tidied away. Too many distractions will chase a potential buyer out the door very quickly!
Thinking of selling your home in Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley or the surrounding areas?
Give us a call and we will be happy to not only meet with you, but share more secrets on a quick sale! We have buyers waiting for homes to come on the market, so give us a call today! We would love to show you what our Sierra Lifestyle Team can do!
Community Events, Events In Nevada County, Important News and Info, Lifestyle
Empire Mine State Park
50 countries around the world celebrate Mothers Day each year. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a more lovely way to spend the day celebrating mothers than right here in Grass Valley at the historic Empire Mine State Park.
Gold Rush History
The Empire Mine is the oldest, largest, deepest, longest and richest gold mine in the state of California, producing 8.5 million ounces of gold from its opening in 1850 until closed to operations in 1956. Hard rock miners, brought in from Cornwall, England to work the mines settled in Grass Valley. You can still purchase Pasties in Grass Valley, a lunch item well suited to work in mines. Mine owners and managers settled in Nevada City and gave the town it’s Victorian character that still abounds.
Mother’s Day in Nevada County
When I first moved to the area we stumbled on this amazing Mothers Day event while trying to find a California historical site for my daughter’s 4th grade school project. Wow, did we hit a jack-pot right here in Nevada County! The stunning grounds are nature at their finest, historical buildings and characters in full dress eager to share the gold rush history, live jazz musicians play and local vendors sell tasty treats. Bonus – it’s one of only two days a year you can bring food into the park. My family can’t imagine a better way to spend Mother’s Day…we go back every year with family of all ages. Bring a blanket, picnic and your favorite mom(s)
Activities at Empire Mine State Park
The Empire Mine State Park is located at 10791 E. Empire Street, Grass Valley, CA 95949. it is open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 5 PM. Miles of trails are open to hiking, biking and 
horseback exploration on its 853 acres. Most visitors plan a two hour visit to see the mines grounds, buildings and sights. Docent tours are available.
Call 916-653-6995 for more information. See you there!
Visit http://www.empiremine.org/events/spring-open-house
Lifestyle, The Arts
OMG…Nevada City Picked As #1 Best Place To Live!
Check out the February 2017 issue of SUNSET MAGAZINE http://sunset.com. Nevada City’s NATIONAL HOTEL has never looked better than it’s full cover bleed on Sunset’s Front Cover. Denizens of Nevada City, Grass Valley, Alta Sierra, Southern Nevada County and Penn Valley have long known it to be true that our wonderful little slice of these great United States (already great despite naysayers to the contrary) tops the list of best place to live!
The Sierra Lifestyle Team has worked with many clients who have looked for homes all over the United States, and in some cases abroad, and settle on Western Nevada County as best. Why? Close proximity to outdoor activities: Hiking, Skiing, Snowboarding, Fishing, Biking, Birding, Astronomy, Gardening…An hour and a half away from the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe that offer a plethora of outdoor activity opportunities for active families. Coupled those with entertainment options at area Casinos (including shows by top headliners such as Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder) and dining from outdoor stands to sophisticated restaurants and you have a recipe for exceptional lifestyle choices that makes our area the best place to live.
From the High Sierra to the Pacific Ocean in hours!
Three hours drive to the San Francisco Bay Area affords access to the constellation of shopping, dining and cultural activities well known to just about all. And of course to the Pacific Ocean and it’s communities South to Santa Cruz and Monterey or north to Fort Bragg.
But we digress. Back to the best place to live. Sunset’s article emphasizes Nevada City and it’s roots in the back to the land movement of the 60s and 70s. But that doesn’t begin to touch the depth of character of those of us who live here in Nevada City or Grass Valley or Alta Sierra or Penn Valley or Southern Nevada County. People from all walks of life, socio-economic levels, backgrounds, and interests mingle happily and consider all those areas as parts of the greater good. Nevada City and Grass Valley host the Wild and Scenic Film Festival as Well as the Nevada City Film Festival, both recognized nationally and internationally. Some quote us as the Sundance of the West. The Center Of The Arts is a cultural jewel we have written about several times, bringing a wide range of music and dance shows to town, attended by patrons who often come to town from Truckee/Tahoe, Sacramento and as far as the SF Bay. We were hugely entertained last evening by Robert Earl Keen and his phenominal band in the 250 seat venue in town and will look forward to cast members from Jersey Boys entertaining us with song and dance from the Do Wop days next week.
Come join the party!
