Four Nevada Public Charter Schools Awarded Funds to Serve High Need Students
The Federal Charter School Program (CSP) Grant is administered by Opportunity 180 to expand access to high-quality public charter schools in the neighborhoods that have the least access to quality options.
With the goal to make sure every kid in Nevada has access to quality schools that meet their needs, four (4) public charter schools have initially been awarded funding through the Great Schools for Nevada Charter School Program (CSP) Federal Grant administered by Opportunity 180. Opportunity 180 was awarded these funds in 2020 by the US Department of Education through a highly competitive application process and has since completed three rounds of awards to schools dedicated to providing quality education to kids in Nevada.
The Great Schools for Nevada grant provides funds to new, replicating or expanding public charter schools that demonstrate success or evidence-based plans to successfully serve historically underserved student populations. Schools must articulate a clear plan to serve a student population that is greater than or equal to the average underserved student population served by the district in which the school is located.
“Opportunity 180 is committed to ensuring every kid has access to a great school,” said Jana Wilcox Lavin, CEO of Opportunity 180. “These schools have innovative learning models, as well as a strong focus on college and career readiness, and have demonstrated significant engagement with students, parents, and potential community partners. We look forward to welcoming them to Southern Nevada.”
The awarded schools are:
3551 N Ferrell St, Las Vegas, NV 89032
Focus: Implementing the Explore Learning model, an educational framework that promotes student growth and responsibility while providing an individualized educational path for each student
4280 West Craig Rd Suite 102/103, North Las Vegas, NV 89031
Focus: Providing real collegiate experiences for high school students through students taking on-campus college courses and professors, giving students the opportunity to earn college credit and ease the transition to college while earning their high school diplomas
1580 Bledsoe Ln., Las Vegas, NV 89110
Focus: A unique curriculum that prepares students for success in construction professions and post-secondary education while meeting all the Nevada Academic Content Standards (NACS), advised by leading industry associations and stakeholders to inform and fill future workforce needs and provide direct career pathways
Address TBD, serving zip codes 89156, 89110, 89115
Focus: Providing historically underserved youth with opportunities toward financial freedom and academic success, as well as pathways to careers that enable financial independence and wealth accumulation
“Southern Nevada Trades High School is incredibly grateful for the funding from the CSP grant. It will allow us to provide increased Special Education, English Language Learning and counseling services for our students. It will also enable our faculty to engage in extensive professional development to prepare them for our unique integrated career and college ready curriculum. We look forward to welcoming our first class of Freshmen and Sophomores to SNTHS in the Fall of 2023.”
Julie Carver, Executive Director of Southern Nevada Trades High School.
Upon submitting an application, schools were selected via a 12-week external review process, in which they were required to demonstrate their commitment to serving high-need student populations through their mission, curriculum focus, and physical location. All awarded schools will be strategically placed in areas that align to the Nevada State Public Charter School Authority’s 2022 Academic and Demographic Needs Assessment and Opportunity 180’s Priority Footprint.
The Great Schools for Nevada grant aligns directly with Opportunity 180’s mission to invest in great schools and put students on track to graduate high school college and career ready. These funds will directly impact nearly 2,100 students over the course of the grant, contributing to Opportunity 180’s overall goal of ensuring 100,000 more students have access to a high-quality school by 2030.
