EDUCATION

50 Standout Schools

While health and safety protocols have become commonplace in our personal and professional environments, and terms including hybrid-learning and virtual play dates are today part of our collective lexicon, it is important to recognize the tremendous resiliency and adaptiveness demonstrated by the Vegas Valley education community during the challenges brought on by Covid-19.

Parents and teachers came together to facilitate online learning for students despite their location, and these groups collaborated to help students maintain important social connections via laptop, mobile-phone and tablet interfaces. Many of us turned to already existing websites including khanacademy.org for additional learning & teaching resources, and local organizations including Vegas PBS created new web portals for at-home learning that are still available today at vegaspbs.org/education.

Flexible learning spaces and on-demand lessons are now a complimentary piece of the learning-experience for students around the world. Schools in the Vegas Valley have adopted many elements of these virtual offerings into the daily teaching curriculum, but the importance of in-person learning remains an integral part of the student experience. Of this, we can all agree.

Included in this special Education Today section is a handpicked selection of Vegas Valley schools with programs that range from pre-k to advanced degrees. While not wholly comprehensive, this list can help narrow the Southern Nevada school choices as you navigate the options for your child or for yourself.

● ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES ACADEMY (1411 Robin Street, Las Vegas, NV 89106) is a magnet public high school serving grades 9-12. U.S. News and World Report rated ATECH as the top high school in the Las Vegas Metro and the #147 high school in the nation. A-TECH offers eight magnet CTE programs in Architectural Design, Business Management, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Graphic Design, Biomedical, and IT Networking. A-TECH Digital Game Development students collaborated to design and produce a 3D game in Blender and Unity to create a virtual tour of the school, which is accessible from the academy’s website.

● ● Serving pre-school through eighth grade students, the ALEXANDER DAWSON SCHOOL at Rainbow Mountain (10845 West Desert Inn Road, Las Vegas, NV 89135), an independent school located on 33-acres in the community of Summerlin, is Nevada’s first Stanford University

Challenge Success partner school for students in early childhood through grade eight. Utilizing the unique Challenge Success framework, Dawson uses research-based strategies and programs that emphasize student academics, wellbeing, and a healthy school-life balance to create more engaged, motivated, and resilient learners and leaders.

● ● ● Beginning as a small home school group, AMERICAN HERITAGE ACADEMY (2100 Olympic Ave, Henderson 89014) has grown into a Christian private school for pre-kindergarten to high school students in North Las Vegas, Las Vegas, and Henderson. The curriculum is based on the Foundation for American Christian Education (FACE) methodology. AHA differentiates itself by not having school on Mondays, teaching cursive handwriting and Latin, requiring annual community service projects, and by hosting an annual etiquette dinner for upper grammar students. Students consistently test in the top 10% of the nation academically, and 100% of the Academy’s graduates have been accepted into college.

● ● ● Founded by native Las Vegan and tennis player Andre Agassi, ANDRE AGASSI COLLEGE PREPARATORY

ACADEMY (1201 W Lake Mead Blvd, Las Vegas, 89106) is a tuition-free public charter school for K – 12th grade scholars. In 2017, Democracy Prep, a Harlem-based network of nonprofit public charter schools, partnered with the Andre Agassi College Prep Academy. Democracy Prep’s academic program is rooted in researchproven curricula that have been shown to accelerate progress to mastery for lowincome students, including those with disabilities and English language deficits. The students attending Democracy Prep are selected by a public computer-based lottery system. Preference is given to children living in a two-mile radius from the school. There are no entrance tests or tuition fees required for students to attend.

● Also known as Basic Academy and Basic High School, BASIC ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (400 Palo Verde Dr, Henderson 89015) was the first high school in Henderson and serves grades 9-12. Basic Academy is a candidate school for three International Baccalaureate programs. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a five-year programme that features a curriculum comprised of eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for early adolescents. The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous, college-preparation course of study that emphasizes critical analysis and communication skills across six subject areas. In the Career-Related Programme (CP), students undertake a minimum of two IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses, a core consisting of four components and a career-related study, preparing them for further education, apprenticeships, or employment.

● Featuring programs that include Information Technology, Medical, Business and Associate of Applied Science degrees, ASHER COLLEGE (6029 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, 89146) is a vocational college and career trade school. With a mission to deliver a quality, market-driven career education, Asher provides classroom and hands-on training experiences that focus on the skills identified by an advisory board of local Las Vegas employers. To ensure its students’ success, Asher offers free tutoring and comprehensive career services assistance designed to help graduates land a position after completing their degree.

● Opened in 1954, BISHOP GORMAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (5959 S Hualapai Way, Las Vegas 89148) has been serving the Las Vegas community for nearly 70 years as the oldest Catholic high school in the Diocese of Las Vegas. As a college preparatory school, Bishop Gorman has a 98% college-bound rate.

The Class of 2021 boasts 31 Scholars and 129 Honors Graduates, two National Merit Scholarship Finalists, and four National Merit Scholarship Commended Students. Students have received $25 million in scholarship offers. The Class of 2021 also had 30 seniors receive athletic scholarships to play at the college level. Fine art classes include ceramics, drawing, digital photography, guitar, orchestra, theatre, dance, and more.

● Serving grades 6-8, BROWN ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (307 N. Cannes St, Henderson, 89015), is an

International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) school and home of the Bears. The IB MYP comprises eight subject groups to create a well-rounded education that introduces students to many subject areas: Language acquisition (Spanish), Language and Literature, Individuals and Societies (history), Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health education, and Design. Robotics, T.V. productions with a studio, musical theater, foreign languages, award-winning fine arts, show choir, and jazz band are among the school’s unique offerings.

● Home to the Leadership and Law Preparatory Academy, a college preparatory magnet program with a four-year program in legal studies, CANYON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL (350 E Alexander Rd, North Las Vegas, 89032) serves students in grades 9-12. The Canyon Springs Career & Technical Education department provides a handson, skills-based curriculum that offers opportunities for students to earn College of Southern Nevada college credits, industry-recognized certifications, and work-based learning experiences. Other majors include Cybersecurity, Forensic Science, International Studies, Landscape Design, Military Leadership, and Robotics. Through its Pioneer Pals program, potential students are partnered with an interested eighth grader to tour the school, attend classes, and get a taste of the Canyon Springs campus life.

● Specializing in healthcare education, CARRINGTON COLLEGE (5740 S Eastern Ave #140, Las Vegas, 89119) has two locations in Nevada: Reno and Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Campus is geared toward students in the medical industry and those looking for a career in criminal justice. The Las Vegas Campus boasts a 28,000-squarefoot facility with state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. Labs are outfitted with microscopes, anatomy models, simulation manikins, and other equipment to approximate each subject areas’ professional settings. Additionally, the campus learning resource center provides 78 computers with internet access, and an inventory of books, journals, CDs, and other media. The Las Vegas campus partners with area hospitals, facilities, and businesses to accommodate students who want hands-on clinical experience.

● CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL (10200 W Centennial Pkwy, Las Vegas, 89149) is a public high school serving grades 9-12 and home of the Bulldogs. Students have received National Merit Finalist Recognitions, scholarships, and Military Academy Appointments. The school’s NJROTC Program has frequently been selected as the number one unit in the nation. BARK!, the school’s newsletter, is published by the advanced journalism students at Centennial High School, with additional contributions from Journalism I students. To prepare students for life after high school, Centennial provides information on Pathway Planning, Apprenticeships, Internships, Credentials, Military, College, Testing, and NCAA/NAIA.

● Home of the Cowboys, CHAPARRAL HIGH SCHOOL (3850 Annie Oakley Dr, Las Vegas, 89121) is a public high school serving grades 9-12. The school focuses on rigorous instruction, relevant content, meaningful relationships, and personal responsibility Along with foundational coursework, Chaparral offers Automotive Technology, CADD, Culinary Arts, Geoscience, Japanese, Mariachi, and Marketing classes. Chaparral’s athletics department offers spring, fall and winter sports, including flag football, soccer, golf, wrestling, and more. Other activities include Billiards Club, Ceramics, Garden Club, and more.

● COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA (csn.edu) is the largest and most ethnically diverse college in Nevada. Their priority is to deliver an affordable, collaborative, and welcoming environment that allows all students to shine. CSN is a fully accredited institution offering hundreds of degrees and certificates in 70 academic programs—with 26 degrees and certificates available entirely online. CSN is also extremely accessible with three main campuses in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson, as well as multiple sites and centers throughout Southern Nevada. Outside the classroom, CSN has a variety of clubs, activities and organizations to keep students engaged and connected. CSN’s baseball team has taken home a national championship, and the Coyotes are also represented in basketball, softball, soccer and volleyball.

● CORONADO PREP PRESCHOOL (2650 Sunridge Heights Pkwy, Henderson, 89052) provides Infant Care, Toddler Care, Two’s Care and

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Schools in Las Vegas, CHALLENGER SCHOOL – SUMMERLIN (9900 W Isaac Newton Way, Las Vegas, 89129) serves preschool through 8th grade students The curriculum is designed to teach children self-reliance, selfworth, honesty, rationality, integrity, justice, and productivity. The school incorporates science, speech, literature, geography, music, art, and physical education into its well-rounded academic education. Projects and events like Science Fair, Young Author, and Speech Festival span multiple grades (kindergarten–8th) and annually provide students with growth opportunities in the skills the activities promote.

● At DEL SOL ACADEMY OF THE PERFORMING ARTS (3100 E Patrick Ln, Las Vegas, 89120) magnet students in grades 9-12 have the unique opportunity to study the performing arts along with participating in athletics, visual arts, service organizations, clubs, and countless student activities. Students may pursue majors in Costume Design, Dance, Mariachi, Band, Orchestra, Vocal, Cinematic Arts/Music Production, Technical Theatre, and Theatre. Magnet students also have access to community internships, Artistin-Residence programs, and numerous performance opportunities.

Preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds. Developmental milestones in Gross and Fine Motor Skills, Language and Hearing, Social and Emotional Abilities, and Cognition, are used as progress guidelines for school professionals as well as parents. To ensure the safety of students, Coronado Prep is a nut-free facility. Coronado Prep Families can keep up with their students’ progress through a live video monitoring system which can be accessed via cell phone or desktop computer.

● ● ● Serving K-12 students, CORAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

LAS VEGAS (8965 S. Eastern Ave, Ste. 280, Las

Vegas, 89123) is a tuition-free school focused on Math and Science. Technology is also integrated throughout the curriculum. CASLV has eight campuses throughout the Las Vegas valley and boasts a student/teacher ratio of 20 to 25 students per class. Students have participated in many academic competitions, winning awards at Science Olympiads, Science Fairs, statewide Science Bowls, Math Counts competitions, and

● CULINARY ACADEMY OF LAS

VEGAS (710 West Lake Mead Blvd, North Las Vegas, 89030) is the country’s leading non-profit hospitality training institute offering 15 different programs in hospitality work, digital and employability skills training, and language instruction. Students receive real-world training through applied learning sites and partners. The Westside Bistro is a student-run, full-service restaurant located on the main CALV campus. Culinary Arts

Catering and Events is a professional catering service that provides onsite banquet service at their Events Center or off-site at a venue of choice. Students complete applied learning hours throughout the duration of their program and refine skills that are directly applicable in future jobs.

Lego Robotics competitions. CASLV has been rated the #1 Elementary School and the #6 Nevada Middle School in the U.S. News and World Report 2022 Best Schools Rankings.

● Founded in 1983 in New Orleans, CRESCENT SCHOOL OF GAMING AND BARTENDING (4180 S. Sandhill Rd, Ste. B8, Las Vegas, 89122) is the largest, most comprehensive bartending and gaming school in the United States. With two locations in Las Vegas, the school offers both bartending and casino gaming courses. Crescent is an accredited school by ACCET (the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training). Crescent has two bartending programs: a 3-Week Bartending Course and a 12-Week Bartending and Beverage Management Course. Crescent’s Casino Dealer Training programs include a 350-hour Two-Game Dealing Program and a 750hour Comprehensive Dealing Program. Crescent has a fulltime Placement Director at each campus.

● DESERT PINES MAGNET ACADEMY is part of Desert Pines High School (3800 Harris Ave, Las Vegas, 89110), an urban public high school serving grades 9-12. Desert Pines Magnet Academy is rated by the Magnet Schools of America as a “Magnet

School of Excellence” and a “Magnet School of Distinction”. Students can participate in competitive performance groups, such as Marine Corp JROTC, band, and theater. More than 40 extracurricular clubs and activities, including DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, Student Council, National Honors Society, are available, and the school also has strong athletic programs, including football, basketball, track, baseball, soccer and more. Magnet program students have a 100% graduation rate, and Desert Pines High School graduates have been awarded millions of dollars in scholarships.

● EAST CAREER & TECHNICAL ACADEMY (6705 Vegas Valley Dr, Las Vegas, 89142) is a magnet high school serving grades 9-12. When applying for admission, students select their program of choice and can select coursework in Construction Technology, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Health Information Management, Information Technology, Marketing & Hospitality, Mechanical Technology, Medical Professions, Sports Medicine, and Teaching & Training. Students gain handson experience through rigorous coursework, hands-on projects, job-shadowing, and internships. Through the Tiny Titan Preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds, Junior Education Program students prepare and present lessons and take turns being the day director for the early childhood education laboratory school.

● ● FAITH LUTHERAN MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL (2015

S Hualapai Way, Las Vegas, 89117) is a private, Christian school for grades 6-12. In addition to a challenging academic curriculum, students can participate in choir, band, handbells, drama, football, hockey, volleyball, cross country, golf, cheerleading, dance, tennis, soccer, basketball, wrestling, baseball, softball, golf, track, swimming, and lacrosse. The college prep curriculum features 36 Honors and 21 Advanced Placement courses. Together, the Class of 2022 was accepted into over 200 different colleges and universities.

● “The Arts: A Way to Learn, A Way to Live, A Way to Achieve!” is the motto of GILBERT MAGNET SCHOOL FOR COMMUNICATION AND CREATIVE ARTS (2101 W Cartier

Ave, North Las Vegas, 89032), an elementary magnet school for K-5. Students learn via Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a teaching method that improves critical thinking skills through teacher-facilitated discussions of visual images. VTS encourages participation through a group problem-solving process, using art to teach thinking, communication skills, and visual literacy.

● ● HENDERSON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

(1165 Sandy Ridge Ave, Henderson 89052) is a preschool – 8th grade private school. The school’s STEAM curriculum focuses not only on science, technology, engineering, and math but also on art. Every student receives instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics, and multiple times per week in science, social studies, Spanish, performing and fine arts, and physical education. The academic disciplines are complemented by extra- and co-curricular activities, creating well-rounded students.

● HYDE PARK ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS (900 Hinson St, Las Vegas, 89107) is a STEM academy for students in grades six through eight. The program serves students who require an academically demanding and challenging curriculum in the four core content areas: mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. Advanced Placement (AP) strategies are incorporated into the instructional methodology. Hyde Park Panthers distinguish themselves in classrooms and competitions, in the arts, on the athletics fields, and in giving to the school and community.

● ● JO MACKEY ACADEMY

Of Leadership And Global Communication

(2726 Englestad St, North Las Vegas, 89030) is the first K-8 magnet school in Clark County. Jo Mackey is a leadershipfocused educational community that fosters positive character through social responsibility and 21st-century skills. The school is named for Mrs. Jo Mackey, who devoted her life to the underprivileged and handicapped, being handicapped herself. Her legacy lives on through student participation in service projects at every grade level. In addition to their coursework, students can participate in Drill Team, Girls Who Code, Robotics, and the Rubik’s Cube Club.

● ● KIDDIE ACADEMY OF HENDERSON (870 Coronado Center Dr, Henderson, 89052) is an educational daycare modeled on the Life Essentials® educational philosophy. Core curriculum is delivered via learning through play, developmentally appropriate classrooms, positive guidance, science, technology, engineering, and math skills, all supplemented with Music & More, weekly 30-minute lessons filled with music and stories. The academy also created an information resource for parents with helpful tips on everything from enriching the school’s STEM program at home to introducing lifelong healthy eating and fitness habits.

● ● FOOTHILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL (1401 Amador Ln, Henderson, 89012) serves students from three to fourteen years of age. Areas of study include math, science, geogåraphy, social studies, history, language, foreign language, music, art, and physical education, delivered in a diverse and age-appropriate manner. The Spanish immersion program offers students the opportunity to become bilingual. Students learn a second language in a natural manner through classroom conversational situations and academic instruction.

● ● ● ● KHAN ACADEMY (khanacademy.org) provides a world-class education for anyone – kindergartenthrough-8th grade, high school, college students, and adult learners – located anywhere in the world, all 100% free. Courses are delivered through an educational website with practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard, all of which empowers learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. Coursework covers math, science, computing, history, art history, economics, and more, including K-14 and test preparation (SAT, Praxis, LSAT) content.

● ● LEGACY TRADITIONAL SCHOOL (7077 W. Wigwam Ave, Las Vegas, 89113) is a tuition-free public charter school in Southwest Las Vegas. Students benefit from an accelerated pace of study, high expectations for academics and behavior, self-contained K-6 classrooms, bell-to-bell instruction, integrated Language Arts curriculum (Spalding), accelerated mathematics (Saxon), and more. Students also learn and live the principles found in the school’s Standards of Citizenship, which include citizenship, loyalty, responsibility, and service.

● A public high school serving grades 9-12, LAS VEGAS HIGH SCHOOL (6500 E Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, 89142) offers challenging academic classes, and students can participate in sports, CTE courses, the school’s performing arts program, or its AJROTC program. The school’s sports team, the Wildcats, has won numerous championships, and their athletics programs are recognized as some of the best in Nevada. Students can also join one of the 38 different clubs and organizations.

● ● ● THE MEADOWS SCHOOL (8601 Scholar Ln, Las Vegas, 89128) is a pre-k through 12th grade private school that follows the motto: In pursuit