CARSON CITY, Nev. – Beginning in the fall of 2018, two non-profit neighborhood-option charter schools will provide additional school choices to students and families in Clark County. Nevada Prep Charter School and Nevada Rise Academy were approved this past fall by an independent review committee and both non-profit organizations have launched strong community outreach plans and are on track to open in the fall of 2018.

Urban Prep Academy – Las Vegas was also approved last fall as a neighborhood option with initial plans to open in 2018, but will now open in the fall of 2019. Urban Prep Academies will use the coming year to build on the community outreach efforts they have initiated and continue to establish a local presence.

“We’re excited for these non-profit organizations to join the efforts by Clark County School District (CCSD) and other charter schools in the district to ensure that each child has a high quality school option in their neighborhood.” said Brett Barley, Esq., Deputy Superintendent for Student Achievement. “In community meetings last month, it was clear that many families and community leaders are excited by the opportunities that these schools will provide.”

Each of the schools will open as neighborhood options schools under the Nevada Achievement School District. This means that each school will be matched with at least one Rising Stars School and will offer students living in that school zone with the opportunity to enroll in a new, free public school in their community. The Rising Stars Schools will continue to operate in their existing locations and continue to be managed by CCSD.

Nevada Prep Charter School (Grades 5-8), Opening Fall 2018

Nevada Prep Charter School, led by Las Vegas local, David Blodgett, will open a new school in the fall of 2018 initially serving students in grades five and six. Nevada Prep has been paired with Rising Stars Schools Hal Smith Elementary School and Jerome Mack Middle School and will offer students living in these school zones with a high quality fifth through eighth grade middle school option that is focused on preparing students to excel in high school, college, and life.

Nevada Rise Academy (Grades K-5), Opening Fall 2018

Led by long-time Clark County educator Justin Brecht, Nevada Rise Academy’s mission is to place every kindergarten through fifth grade student on a path to college, and ensure all students have access to life’s fullest opportunities. In the fall of 2018, Nevada Rise Academy will offer kindergarten and first grade and will add a grade each year until reaching the full Kindergarten to fifth grade configuration. Nevada Rise Academy will be matched with Hal Smith Elementary School to provide students zoned to this Rising Stars School with a high quality neighborhood option.

Urban Prep Academy – Las Vegas (Grades 9-12), Opening Fall 2019

With a strong track record of serving minority male students in three schools in Chicago, Urban Prep Academies is expanding to Las Vegas and will continue their commitment to preparing students for college. It’s with that commitment that Urban Prep Academy – Las Vegas will open in the fall of 2019 as a neighborhood option charter school.