Our Community >Education, Health Care & Retirement Services
Education
Education is an important aspect in our community’s quality of life. Our vision for a successful future establishes an education system that is challenging and distinct enough to hearten the highest levels of student achievement, and provides enduring learning opportunities.
Nevada County schools rank among the highest in the State as reported by the California Department of Education. A number of our schools have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon schools by the President and as Distinguished Schools by the Governor for academic excellence. The County boasts the greatest number of charter schools per capita in California. Charters, in addition to other special academic specialty schools, offer a variety of learning environments for our young people.
Grass Valley is home to the Nevada County Campus of Sierra College. Sierra College offers a broad selection of Associate Degree and Certificate programs. The College has agreements with 11 top Universities throughout California, allowing students guaranteed admission to transfer as juniors. The 105 acre campus Nevada County Campus was built in 1996 serves over 3,500 students.
In August 2006, Sierra College opened its doors to the Ghidotti Early College High School. Named for the Ghidotti family of Nevada County, a start-up grant of $400,000 was provided by the Foundation for California Community Colleges through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In its first year 30 students participated in the rigorous accelerated program which blends high school and college classes.
 The Nevada County Campus hosts the Robotic Observatory built in 2004. Its telescope is controlled by an on-site computer to provide tracking of planetary movements, which can be downloaded on the Internet to provide students and the public with a bird's-eye view of the sky.
Committed to the development of leadership, the Grass Valley/Nevada County Chamber, Sierra College – Nevada County Campus, Nevada County Business Association and United Way sponsor the Nevada County Community Leadership Institute (NCCLI). Founded in 1996, NCCLI was developed after researching other community leadership programs, taking the best parts, and molding them to fit our county, our culture and our people. The program explores the foundations of leadership and the many facets of business, education, government, and the arts that are integral to our community.
Our community will continue to improve the strength and diversity of our education system. Educational superiority is essential to attaining our realization of an economical health, a fit environment, self-reliant families, and an exceptional community.
Healthcare
Our idea of a healthy community focuses on allowing the people in the community to celebrate and live life to its fullest. State of the art medical equipment and technology will permit the community to care for their critical needs and to get care here in our community. Experienced and caring physicians, nurses and caregivers are at the heart of our current health care system.
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley operates a state of the art medical center for providing excellence in patient care and cancer prevention. The hospital has 124 beds and an Acute Medical and Surgery care for patients, a  Cardiac Unit, Intensive Care, Surgery, Women and Infants Care, Transitional Care and a full Outpatient Surgery Center. In addition, a number of private outpatient surgical centers and trauma centers are located throughout the region.
In 2006 the hospital opened its new state-of-the-art Imaging Center with a $2 million magnetic resonance imaging machine. The technology and services offered at the Imaging Center are recognized nationally. The center’s team of breast imaging specialists has been rated in the top five nationally.
Retirement
Nevada County has become an attractive retirement destination because of the quality of life and resources focused on the needs of an aging population. A wealth of resources is available for seniors throughout the county.
A number of modern, full service retirement facilities are located in Grass Valley and Nevada County. Search our business directory for quality Retirement and Life Care Communities. Gold Country Telecare provides specialized para transit services for seniors and persons with disabilities in western Nevada County.
Sierra College’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers a wide range of challenging, high-quality learning experiences for active older adults. The College is one of only two community colleges nationally to receive a grant from The Bernard Osher Foundation to meet the educational needs of older adults. Over 4,000 adults participate tuition free.
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