An Introduction to SPJUSD

Sierra County lies northeast of Sacramento and borders the State of Nevada on the east. Located in the heart of the Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, it contains one-half million acres of forest land, forty-five mountain lakes, and an estimated seven hundred miles of trout streams. The eastern quarter of Plumas County lies within the boundaries of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District, and children from the towns of Vinton and Chilcoot attend school in Loyalton.

Elevations within the District range from 2000 to nearly 9000 feet. Heavy snowfall and extreme temperatures are the general rule during the winter at the higher elevations. Eastern Sierra and Plumas counties include the great Sierra Valley, once an ancient lake bed but now the largest alpine valley in the Sierra Nevada range, a natural area for agricultural, timber production and mineral extraction operations. The western portion of Sierra County is heavily forested, has timber management areas, and contains both lode and placer gold mining operations.Gold was discovered here in 1849, and the area is rich in early California history.

Recreational activities abound including fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking, camping, boating, and visits to points of historical interest.

The District

The Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District serves all of Sierra County and the eastern quarter of Plumas County. The District is governed by a seven person Governing Board, each member of which represents a defined geographical area of the District. The District Governing Board also serves as the Sierra County Board of Education. The District Superintendent's Office is located in Sierraville at the Sierraville School.

Schools Of The District

Downieville Schools
a K-12 school, which is located in Downieville, the Sierra County seat, and serves the communities of Downieville, Sierra City, Goodyears Bar, and surrounding rural areas. The staff includes the principal, three teachers for the elementary grades K-5, six teachers for grades 7-12, one special education teacher and seven classified employees. In 1989 the California Department of Education recognized the High School as a "Distinguished School". Enrollment is 150-160.

Loyalton Elementary School
Serves grades K-6. The school is located in the City of Loyalton adjacent to Loyalton High School. Children come from Vinton and Chilcoot in Plumas County, the rural areas of Sierra Valley, and the City of Loyalton. In addition to the principal, eleven teachers and twenty-one classified employees,the staff includes one part-time special education teacher. Enrollment is approximately 225 students..

Loyalton Middle School
Located in the City of Loyalton and serving the same attendance area as Loyalton Elementary Schools for students in grades 7-8. The "core" school is staffed by the half-time principal, four teachers and four classified employees, plus a part-time special education teacher and one aide. Loyalton Middle School was recognized in 1992 by the California Department of Education as a "Distinguished School." Enrollment is approximately 80 students.

Loyalton High School
The only separate high school facility in the District, accommodates students in grades 9-12 from the eastern section of Sierra and Plumas counties. The staff includes a principal, ten teachers, and four classified employees, plus a special education teacher with an aide. A variety of industrial arts and business classes are offered through the Plumas-Sierra Regional Occupation Program. Loyalton High was recognized as a "Distinguished School" in 1993-94. Enrollment is 155-166.

Sierra Pass Continuation High School
The alternative high school facility in the District, accommodates students in grades 9-12 from the eastern section of Sierra and Plumas counties.

Sierra Crest Independent Study School
Sierra Crest offers independent study options for students in grades K-12 countywide.

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