Schools & Education
Southern Nevada is home to some of the best schools in the state, with the Clark County School District – one of the largest in the United States – serving a wide range of communities. The region offers numerous highly rated public and private institutions, with nearly $1.5 million of the district’s revenue dedicated to classroom, student, and teacher support.
Schools throughout Southern Nevada consistently outperform those in other areas of the state, surpassing national averages in key academic areas like math, reading, and graduation rates. With a diverse array of educational options, including numerous elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges and universities, residents have access to a broad spectrum of learning opportunities. The area is also home to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, offering an extensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 27,000 students.
Known for its strong academic programs, committed teachers, and a focus on student achievement, schools in Southern Nevada provide an enriching and supportive learning environment. With innovative curricula and a variety of extracurricular activities, the region’s schools foster growth, creativity, and a passion for learning, making Southern Nevada a top destination for families seeking exceptional education.
Fun Fact: The average classroom in Clark County has 20.1 students per teacher, compared to 25.6 in Ventura County.
Clark County Schools
Explore schools in Clark County and nearby cities with our interactive map. Zoom in to uncover a variety of options, from charter schools to public schools, making it easier to navigate the diverse educational choices available.
Nevada School Choice
School choice allows public education funds to follow students to the schools or services that best fit their needs – whether that’s to a public school, private school, charter school, home school, or any other learning environment parents choose for their kids.
Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program
Nevada’s Educational Choice Scholarship program was enacted and launched in 2015. The tax-credit scholarship program allows corporations to claim a 100 percent tax credit when they contribute to approved scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs). The SGOs then provide private school scholarships to families who meet the income requirements. Learn more about the program’s funding, eligibility, and regulations on this page.
A list of registered scholarship-granting organizations can be found here.
Clark County School District
Established in 1956, Clark County School District is the fifth-largest school district in the country, educating 298,000 students, or about two out of every three students in the state of Nevada. The district is approximately 8,000 square miles in southern Nevada, and encompasses 374 schools. CCSD is also the largest employer in the state, with more than 40,000 employees.
CCSD is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of seven members who represent different geographic regions within the county. The mission of the board is to ensure “all students progress in school and graduate prepared to succeed and contribute in a diverse global society.” The district offers nationally recognized Magnet Schools and Career & Technical Academies, as well as an online secondary school (Nevada Learning Academy), and several International Baccalaureate programs available to elementary, middle, and high school students.
Services offered by the district also include a school police department, adult education courses, special education, and partnerships with higher education institutions and community organizations, such as Vegas PBS and the Public Education Foundation. As the largest school district in Nevada, CCSD plays a pivotal role in ensuring the future success, growth, and advancement of the state.
Use our interactive map to easily find schools in Clark County and the surrounding cities. You can also explore the menu to view school zoning by grade level, helping you navigate educational options in the area with ease.
Magnet Schools and Career & Technical Academies
In 1993, Mabel Hoggard, Clark High School, and the Las Vegas Academy were the first magnet programs to open in the Las Vegas Valley. Because of the tremendous success of our magnet programs, the demand has greatly exceeded the available seats for students. Since 2014, CCSD has added even more magnet schools and programs to provide more choice and access for the students of CCSD. There are currently 42 Magnet Schools and CTAs, including:
34 Magnet Schools (10 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 1 K-8 school, and 10 high schools)
8 Career and Technical Academies (high school)
Additional Choice Options Include:
1 Central Technical Training Academy (non-traditional high school)
1 Nevada Learning Academy at CCSD (Online School Grades 6-12)
Southern Nevada offers a wide range of educational programs designed to prepare students for diverse careers. These programs include Advanced Manufacturing, Animation, Architectural Design, Aviation, Biomedical Sciences, Business Management, Community Health Science, Computer Science, Construction Technology, Culinary, Cybersecurity, Diesel Technology, Energy Technologies, Engineering, Fashion Design, Finance, Global Communication, Hospitality & Tourism, Human and Social Services, Industrial Maintenance, International Studies, Law Enforcement & Public Safety, Leadership and Law, Logistics, Nursing, Performing Arts, Pre-Medical, Radio Production, Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Sports Medicine, Video Game Technology, and Video Production. These programs cater to a variety of interests and industries, equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in their chosen fields.
Charter schools in Nevada are public schools funded by the state, and created to meet the unique educational needs of students. These schools operate independently from the Clark County School District (CCSD), with six CCSD-sponsored charter schools in Greater Las Vegas. They are managed by separate leadership and school boards, offering parents a choice in their child’s education.
The State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA) authorizes and oversees charter schools across Nevada, ensuring positive academic outcomes and proper stewardship of public funds. Currently, the SPCSA oversees 78 charter school campuses serving approximately 60,000 students statewide. Charter schools in Nevada have the freedom to adopt innovative curricula, but are held accountable for academic performance and student achievement.
These schools are mission-focused, with specialized programs, such as science and technology, project-based learning, vocational training, and dual-credit college courses. As public schools, charter schools must be open to all students. If demand exceeds available seats, a lottery or non-discriminatory selection process is used to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants. Students from other counties may attend charter schools in Clark County, if space is available.
The Charter School Association of Nevada provides information on the state’s charter schools, which are sponsored either by local school districts or the state. The SPCSA, created in 2012, has adopted quality standards and a performance framework to raise the level of education in Nevada’s charter schools, following recommendations from the National Association of Charter School Authorizers.
Private Schools
77 Private Schools in Las Vegas
Bishop Gorman High School, The Meadows School, The Adelson Educational Campus, Calvary Chapel Christian School, and Lake Mead Christian Academy are just some of the private schools offered to K-12 students in the Las Vegas area. These institutions are classified as either Private Exempt Schools (connected to a church or ministry, a government agency, or a fraternal/benevolent entity) or Private Schools (sponsored by a business entity or sole proprietor).
Serving More Than 17,632 Students
All private schools are licensed by the Nevada Department of Education, and are required to provide: at least the curriculum required of our public schools, 180 days of instruction, and the same number of minutes of instruction per day that is required of public schools. While some schools offer tuition assistance, parents who enroll their children in private schools agree to pay tuition and fees the school requires.
“Clark County School District is the fifth-largest school district in the country, educating 298,000 students across 374 schools.”
Exceptional Education in Henderson:
Where Students Thrive
Henderson is an excellent place to raise a family, thanks to its top-tier educational system. Schools in Henderson consistently outperform local, state, and national averages, making it one of the best communities for student success. For the 2022-2023 school year, Henderson’s public high schools reported a remarkable graduation rate of 90%, surpassing both the Clark County School District (82%) and Nevada’s state average (82.4%). Charter schools in Henderson performed even better, with an impressive 98.6% graduation rate.
Henderson students excel in both academic achievements and standardized testing. In reading, 56.7% of fifth graders in Henderson achieved proficiency, significantly higher than the rates for CCSD (41.5%) and the state of Nevada (43.7%). Seventh graders in Henderson also outperformed their peers, with 59.8% meeting proficiency standards. In math, Henderson’s fifth and seventh graders continue to lead, with 42% and 41.6% of students achieving proficiency, respectively – well above the local and state averages.
Additionally, 55% of Henderson public high school juniors were ready for college-level English, outperforming the national average of 47% and the local district. With a growing number of Henderson’s schools receiving 5-star ratings – 39.4% of charter schools and 16.7% of public schools – it’s clear that Henderson places a strong emphasis on high-quality education.
By choosing Henderson, you’re investing in a community that prioritizes education, and provides your children with the tools they need to succeed academically and beyond. Whether it’s top-rated public schools, excellent charter school options, or high graduation rates, Henderson offers a nurturing environment for students to thrive.
