The first 12 or so years of academic preparation are perhaps the most important developmental years of every child’s life. Consequently, picking the right school for your child is of utmost importance. Follow these valuable tips for students enrolling in kindergarten through college to make the
transition smooth and simple.

ENROLLMENT
Children must be 5 years old on or before September 30 to enroll in kindergarten in the Clark County School District. Parents in Clark County need to have the following information in order to enroll their child in school: two forms of proof of residence (utility bill, lease or rent receipt and sales contract), child’s identification (original certified birth certificate, passport or certified birth card) and immunization records. The following records also expedite the enrollment process and ensure proper placement if your child is transferring from another school or district: previous school records showing placement in any special classes or programs, a recent report card showing the name and address of the former school, the most recent achievement test scores and any information about special health conditions.

Under state law, to enter first grade, a child must either attend a state-approved kindergarten program or pass a development test. After assembling the required information, parents can access zoning information at www.zoning.ccsd.net or call 702/799-6430 to locate their assigned school. They should then call the school to find out when registration will be held.

IMMUNIZATIONS
All school-age children must be up-to-date on all of their immunizations in order to enroll in Las Vegas area schools. According to the Clark County Health Department, kindergartners need five DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus) vaccinations, four Polio vaccinations and two MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccinations. For people moving to the area from out of state, it’s usually the last one that gets them. Most states only require one MMR. Although they are not required, the Health Department also offers Hepatitis A and Chicken Pox vaccinations free of charge. Parents of all school-age children can take advantage of these two opportunities anytime, not just during the back-to-school rush. Matriculating college freshmen also need to make sure to get Tetanus and MMR boosters.

There are several health centers throughout the Las Vegas area and all offer free immunizations. Call 702/383-1351 to find a location nearest you. The Shadow Lane facility is the busiest by far, serving 500 children a day during the back-to-school rush. For added convenience, the Health Department sponsors mobile immunization clinics at area malls, beginning in early August. Parents need to be sure to bring children’s current immunization records to any location they choose to visit.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The Clark County School District offers a wide range of specialized programs to meet the diverse needs of its student body. The district offers a variety of magnet schools and programs at all grade levels to which students may apply based on their interests and abilities. There are three elementary magnet schools, two middle school magnet programs and seven high school magnet programs. Areas of emphasis include science and mathematics, teacher preparation, fine and performing arts, technology, tourism, aerospace and aviation.

Direct and support services are provided for students with disabilities ages 3 to 21. School teams collaborate with families and the community to offer quality learning experiences for students with disabilities to prepare them for life after school. Student success is the focus as trained teaching staff, supported by social workers, mentor teachers and vocational counselors, challenge students to meet the district’s educational speechtherapists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, nurses, adaptive physical education and assistive technology.

Additional programs offered by the district include Gifted and Talented Education; transitional bilingual and English as a Second Language programs; specialized reading programs; Credit by Exam; distance learning; independent study; community college high schools, in which students are able to earn
college credit for elective courses; alternative-setting high schools to help reduce dropout rate; and two vocational schools.

The district also uses outside resources to meet students’ needs. With the help of federal grants, for example, the district provides supplemental programs, such as Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Indian
Education, School-to-Careers, and Math and Science Enhancement.

STATEWIDE TESTING
All Nevada students in the fourth, eighth and 10th grades take the TerraNova test in October. The TerraNova is a norm-referenced test taken by children in many states to assess student achievement in reading, language, math and science. In addition, during the 11th or 12th grade, all Nevada high school students are expected to pass the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam in reading, writing and math. Students in the Clark County School District typically perform near the national average on these standardized tests, with math scores usually higher than reading or language scores. College-bound students generally perform at or above the national averages on the SAT or ACT.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is located on a 337-acre campus in the heart of Las Vegas.
In addition to the nearly 30,000 students enrolled in academic degree programs, another 19,000 people participate in continuing education classes at the University. UNLV offers 180 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs, with classes taught by faculty with degrees from the nation’s most prestigious institutions.

UNLV is known internationally as the leader in hotel administration education and offers among the finest physics, business, engineering, computer science, biological science, environmental studies and performing arts programs in the nation.UNLV also is home to the School of Dentistry and the William S. Boyd School of Law.

University of Southern Nevada
Founded in 1999, the University of Southern Nevada is a private, nonprofit higher learning institution located in Henderson. The University offers high-quality degree programs such as Doctor of Pharmacy, Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

USN sets itself apart from other institutions by offering degree programs in a block curriculum system. This learning format was developed to emphasize a student-centered, active-learning environment, where students participate in experiential education from the very beginning of their programs. Rather than multiple courses spread out through semesters or quarters, the curriculum is organized into blocks that allow students to focus on one subject at a time. The block system also
provides opportunities for students to be active participants in the learning process by facilitating the incorporation of a variety of learning activities other than the traditional lecture format.

The early pharmacy practice and clinical nursing experiences are designed to enhance and support the didactic curriculum by allowing students to actually see, feel and understand what is presented in the classroom in an actual clinical setting.

With its high-quality, comprehensive programs and exceptional faculty, USN has emerged as a leading educational institution in Nevada.

The College of Southern Nevada
At the College of Southern Nevada, education is driven by progressive, faculty-crafted learning environments in state-of-the-art facilities and is coupled with comprehensive student services and energetic community partnerships.

CSN is the fourth-largest two-year college of its kind in the United States and Nevada’s largest institution of higher learning. The College employs more than 2,800 people while operating three main campuses and multiple learning centers. The staff includes about 500 full-time faculty (nearly a third with doctorates) and more than 800 part-time instructors in more than 125 career fields.

CSN programs reflect the latest educational developments in public and private sector
professions. In surveys, students testified to the value of CSN’s hallmarks: talented faculty, small classes, individual attention, student success services, and studies relevant to career and job skills demanded by commerce and industry.

Touro University Nevada, Henderson
Touro University Nevada was established to help address critical needs in health care and education as well as a resource for community service in the state of Nevada.

A nonprofit, private institution affiliated with an international system of higher education, the University opened its doors in 2004 with 78 medical students. Today, the innovative suburban campus is not only home to the state’s largest medical school but also hosts nearly 1,300 students in a wide range of degree programs in allied health sciences, education and osteopathic medicine. The University’s programs in physician assistant studies and occupational therapy are the first of their
kind in the state.

Touro University Nevada also serves the Las Vegas community, offering a state-of-the-art, on-campus patient health care clinic staffed by practicing faculty members. The University also welcomes the community to its multidisciplinary Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. The center is designed as a one-stop source for diagnostic services, therapy, a supportive resource for families dealing with autism and other developmental disorders and also serves as a learning laboratory for students across many academic disciplines.

University of Phoenix, Nevada campus
University of Phoenix offers online learning experiences as well as a classroom experience that is specifically designed for working adults and one that encourages collaboration between students and faculty. Smaller classes combine individual and group activity to foster teamwork and meaningful discussion among students who bring varied experiences and learning styles to the classroom. The University takes an applied approach to teaching with faculty who are experts in their fields and who can help students make the connection between theory and real-world applications. With a
one-course-at-a-time approach, students are able to master concepts. Students are able to attend class and learning team meetings once per week or on their own time in the online learning environment, and most earn their degrees within two to three years.

The Nevada campus opened in March 1994 and has grown to more than 3,800
students, with five Las Vegas locations and one in Reno. The campus offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting, business, counseling, criminal justice, education, human services, management, technology and teacher education. University of Phoenix Online offers more than 90 degree programs at the associates, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the nation and reaches more than 250,000 students at 170 campuses and learning centers across the United States as well as in Puerto Rico and British Columbia.

The International School of Hospitality
The International School of Hospitality educates and trains students in the hospitality industry. With an emphasis on practical learning, this school is a little different than others. It places a high priority on teaching students in the most effective and efficient way possible. Developed by industry professionals and university professors, the curriculum is tailored to teach current industry demands with classes offered in the classroom and online. Students get the chance to interact with their peers and learn valuable lessons through internships. Certificate programs include Conference Management & Event Planning, Wedding Coordination & Design, Concierge, Hotel Operations, Hotel Services, Guest Relations, Hospitality Leadership Supervision, The Art of Food & Beverage and more.

PUBLIC SCHOOL

Clark County School District
Clark County School District (CCSD) is known for not only its outstanding educational opportunities but also for its explosive growth, adding nearly 12,000 new students each year. CCSD is the largest school district in Nevada and the fifth-largest in the United States. Almost two-thirds of Nevada students are enrolled in CCSD schools.

During the 2006-2007 school year, nearly 300,000 were enrolled, and the district operated 325 schools. In 1998, Clark County voters approved a $3.5 billion bond to support the district’s need to construct 10 to 14 schools each year and update and renovate many existing schools.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Las Vegas Day School
Accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Las Vegas Day School was founded in 1961 and was the first nonsectarian private school in Nevada.

Las Vegas Day School enjoys a long history of educational excellence, offering self-contained class instruction from preschool through fifth grade and a fully departmentalized middle school program for sixth through eighth grades.

The accelerated curriculum and college-preparatory format allow the school to offer a disciplined and challenging academic environment. A certified teaching staff provides quality instruction in the basics, as well as humanities, arts, sciences, computer literacy, Spanish and physical education.

The Meadows School
The mission of The Meadows School is to develop in its students a love of and respect for learning, inspiring them to seek knowledge independently and preparing them for higher academic pursuits.

The school maintains high standards, recognizing and attending to the various needs of its students, while also providing optimal intellectual, emotional, social and physical challenge, and development. It is the only school in Nevada to place 100 percent of its students in four-year colleges or universities.

The school seeks to instill in its students the concept that education carries with it an obligation to self, family and community. It encourages each student to become a compassionate and productive member of society. Programs cover four divisions: Beginning School for 3-, 4- and 5-year-old
students; Lower School for grades kindergarten through fifth; Middle School for sixth through eighth grades; and Upper School for ninth through 12th grades. The Meadows School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to the students.

Montessori Visions Academy
The academy is a private preschool, elementary and middle school serving students age 2 through eighth grade. Founded in 1999 by the desire to offer an education that encourages the development of the whole child, Montessori Visions Academy is dedicated to the philosophy developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. To ensure quality education, the school is a full member of the American Montessori Society (AMS). Each student is a unique individual with a distinct background whose learning methods and abilities will undoubtedly vary from his or her peers. Thus, the Montessori environment is structured so that it will address the needs of each individual.

Students are invited to learn at the pace that suits them without peer competition. Each classroom has a carefully prepared environment that seeks to stimulate students’ creativity and academic ability. Montessori Visions Academy strives to support the development of the whole person, build a sense of community and ignite a lifelong love of learning.

The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain
The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain is a not-for-profit, independent school for students age 4 through eighth grade. Dawson offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum that engages each student’s imagination and stimulates curiosity.

The school aims to teach students to think critically, express themselves with clarity and embrace the world with an independent spirit. Excellent programs in fine arts and language offer instruction in photography, ceramics, woodworking, chorus, jazz band, Latin and Spanish.

The Alexander Dawson School recruits teachers from around the world. Dawson teachers have on average 10 years of teaching experience and 40 percent have earned advanced degrees. Small classes and a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio enable teachers to address each student’s strengths and needs. Dawson graduates have been accepted to some of the best secondary schools in the nation, including Deerfield Academy, Exeter, St. Andrew’s (Delaware), Chatham Hall, Thacher, the Webb Schools and the Orme School, as well as local high schools. Admission to Dawson is based on assessment, recommendations and previous school performance.

The Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Educational Campus
The goal of The Adelson Educational Campus is to instruct and inspire new generations of students who will draw strength from a rich, Jewish heritage; use their knowledge, values and vision to fulfill their own potential; and build a better world.

The Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Educational Campus is the only pre-kindergarten (starting at 1 ? years old) to 12th grade Jewish school in Nevada. The lower school consists of pre-kindergarten through fourth grade at The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy, grades 5 through 8 make up The Adelson Middle School, and The Adelson Upper School consists of grades 9 through 12.

Henderson International School
The Henderson International School is an independent, nondenominational, college-preparatory school for students in preschool through high school.

Administrators and teachers at Henderson International believe that every child has the potential to be a leader, educator, community builder, entrepreneur and steward of the earth. Beginning in preschool and continuing through high school, every aspect of the Henderson International experience is designed to inspire each child to explore the full extent of his or her abilities.

Henderson International views extracurricular activities as a critical component of building well-rounded students; therefore, the school offers a challenging college-preparatory academic curriculum, along with a growing array of athletic programs, travel opportunities and club activities. Its team of educators provides students with the individual attention they need as they begin to take responsibility for their own learning.

Henderson International believes that the best schools have a small-town feel, where love, honesty, courage, integrity, humor and gratitude are the qualities most admired. The schools encourage families to take an active role in the educational process with town hall meetings, an interactive website for parents to track their child’s schoolwork and opportunities for the school president to meet with individual families.

Challenger School
Challenger School embraces a curriculum centered on fundamental American values that stress excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, and self-reliance.

Its uniquely structured classes yield astonishing results in young students. For example, Challenger students typically score at the 90th percentile on standardized tests. In other words, the average Challenger student out-performs 90 percent of all students nationally who take the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT). More than that, Challenger School offers programs from preschool through eighth grade that will prepare children to live happily and successfully throughout
their lives.

Challenger’s mission is to prepare children to become self-reliant, productive individuals; to teach them to think, speak and write with clarity, precision and independence; and to inspire them to embrace challenge and find joy and self-worth through achievement.

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