Moving is a lot, all. There are so many pieces, parts, and tasks being thrown at you, especially if you are moving to a new city and you have tiny humans to think about. Not only are you considering where your child will live, you are also thinking about amenities like parks, programming, and activities. Plus, the biggest decision (no pressure) – where your child will go to school. Whew!
With a growing population of over 2.2 million in the Las Vegas metro area, the city is home to a large number and various types of schools, each with its own unique offerings. While you are figuring out which Las Vegas neighborhood is right for you (yes, I have a guide for that) you are also considering the schools available for your children.
While some real estate listings will give you the lowdown on schools in the area, it’s always good to do your own research as well. Consider your child’s needs and learning style, the school’s distance from your home (walking vs busing to school), class size, programs available, and any unique attributes you are looking for.
Given the number of schools located within Las Vegas, breaking down the top options would be a little much (endless scroll anyone?). Let me start you off with a basic guide to the types of schools available – get in touch with your friendly real estate professional (hey, Bethany here, former teacher) for more specific neighborhood information.
Public Schools
The Clark County School District (CCSD) is the largest school district in the state of Nevada. It serves 304,276 students in Clark County, which includes the city of Las Vegas and surrounding areas. The district has over 300 schools, including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and magnet schools – more on those below. So many choices and this is just the first option!
Magnet Schools
Magnet Schools operate within the CCSD and are free to attend, regardless of zip code, but are subject a lottery system. They provide opportunities to achieve diversity and avoid racial isolation. Las Vegas has 41 magnet and Career and Technical Academies (ten elementary, thirteen middle, one K-8, and seventeen high schools).
Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently of the main Clark County School District. These schools are unique in that they are free to set their own curriculum, policies, and procedures. Charter Schools in Nevada are considered public schools and are funded by the state — like other public schools, there is no charge to attend. For the 2023 school year, there were 70 public charter schools serving 53,861 students.
Private Schools
Private schools have the second largest number of institutions in Las Vegas — there are over 84 with 17,805 students – but with a lower number of students overall.
Within Nevada, there are two basic types of private schools: Private Exempt Schools and Private Schools. Private Exempt Schools are those connected to a church or ministry, another government agency or a fraternal/benevolent entity. Private Schools without exempt status all have a sponsoring business entity or sole proprietor. Unlike public and charter schools, private schools carry a tuition cost.
The Bottom Line
With all the moving pieces involved in, you know, moving, vetting a school for your children can seem like an insurmountable task. Breaking it down first by neighborhood can help and as always feel free to connect to find out what part of Las Vegas is right for you!
