Tackling challenges with eyes
BY THE NUMBERS
Washoe County School District is one of the largest in the nation. How big is it?
62,166
ON THE FUTURE
students
103
Washoe County School District helps students thrive during difficult time
schools
370
BY DEBBIE ARRINGTON
F
rom a population boom to a pandemic, Washoe ease overcrowding due to Nevada’s population surge. County School District has faced its share of chal- Washoe County grew by more than 13.5% since 2010. lenges. But through it all, students in the sprawlThe building program represents an $800 million ing district have thrived. investment in local schools. Dr. Kristen McNeill takes great pride in the accomAmong the current projects is the new Procter R. plishments of the district’s Hug High School, the first students, teachers and staff. new high school built by “We’re one of the largest the district in nearly two districts in the country and decades. With room for one of the fastest to get back 2,200 students, the stateto in-person (instruction),” of-the-art, 295,000-squaresays the WCSD superintenfoot facility will open in Fall dent. “We opened a new 2022 and will replace the elementary school during a old Hug High School. pandemic.” Schools are an investDr. Kristen McNeill Serving more than ment in Washoe County’s Superintendent, Washoe County 62,000 students in 103 future. In addition to basic School District schools, WCSD missed about education, career technical four months of in-person training and other specialinstruction, March-June 2020, due to COVID-19 ized programs will help restrictions. But as soon as possible, kids were back prepare the county’s needed workforce. Coming soon in their classrooms. All of the 2020-21 school year, the is the district’s new Debbie Smith Career and Technical district’s elementary schools held in-person classes. Education Academy, slated to open in Fall 2024 on the Middle- and high schools hosted hybrid learning as old site of Procter R. Hug High School. students gradually returned to campus. “Our students are college- and career ready when As a community leader, WCSD impacts many more they graduate,” McNeill says. “They’re set up for success.” people than just families with school-age kids. With WCSD educators and students have earned national 8,000-plus employees, it also is the largest employer in acclaim for their achievements in such areas as music Northern Nevada. education, STEM, and social-emotional learning. “We can’t do it without them,” says McNeill, who plans Educators, many of whom are board-certified, offer to retire at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. “Washoe quality to their students and create a nurturing, caring, County School District is a family; I truly, truly believe and safe environment at WCSD schools. it. Our whole organization; we’re all in this together. We “What I’ll remember most is working with some of could not do what we did without such a strong team.” the most dedicated people, educators and professionKnown for innovation, WCSD continues to make als in all areas,” says McNeill, a former teacher. “And great strides. “I’m very proud of our work around incluobviously, the time with students is very special.” sion, equity and diversity, social and emotional learning,” WCSD continues to meet its challenges head on. McNeill notes. McNeill notes the district is in a strong position to Thanks to Washoe County voters for approving thrive along with its students, adding, “Challenges the 2016 capital funding ballot initiative, the district open doors for opportunity.” has aggressively built and opened new schools to
school buses TRANSPORT
18,000
students daily
“Our students are college and career ready when they graduate. They’re set up for success.”
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Great Place to Live, Work, Learn
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Washoe County School District
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A Special Advertising Supplement
5 Million
meals served in 2020-21 school year
#8 in Nation
for Advanced Placement Performance in 2020
TEACHER SNAPSHOT
4,630
instructional staff
408
nationally board certified teachers
70%
teachers with a Master’s Degree or higher
99%
teaching within license area
