More charter schools set to open in Las Vegas as others are forced to close
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Parents are getting more options on where to send their children as several charter schools prepare to open next month in the Las Vegas valley.
The challenge they’re facing is making sure the schools stay open, as the state closed some for financial reasons. There is data showing enrollment in Nevada for charter schools is growing.
“We focus on the most at need students, the most at risk of not graduating,” Vince Medina, the founding principal of ThrivePoint Academy of Nevada, said.
ThrivePoint is one of three charter schools welcoming students for the first time in August. It will be officially open to students on Aug.12. It’s a hybrid learning school where 75% of its students have either been expelled, suspended, charged with a crime, or credit deficient.
Students must go to the school’s building near Meadows Lane and Valley View Drive twice a week to meet a coach.
“The coach is going to develop a relationship with them throughout their enrollment. Be connected to their characteristic traits, their personal goals, and their story, so we develop a person and not just a high school student,” Medina said.
Another school opening is Vegas Vista Academy located near Michael Way and Madre Mesa Drive.
“We always here that there’s all these problems in education and we don’t know how to fix them. that’s not true,” Dr. Benjamin Feinstein, executive director of Vegas Vista Academy, said.
Dr. Feinstein runs the kindergarten through third-grade dual-language charter school, which he hopes to expand to high school. It opens on Aug 5.
Feinstein says Vegas Vista’s focus is a research-based education.
“So what does the research say works for kids? Small class size. Dual language from a young age. Hands-on projects, and project-based learning,” Feinstein said.
Nadia Moreno was enrolling two of her kids on Tuesday at Vegas Vista.
“I’ve been wanting to get them into charter schools and so, this one was actually an opportunity that I got,” Moreno said.
Her appeal was the school’s emphasis on dual language.
“I want them to be bilingual, so they can learn both languages very good,” Moreno said.
Back in June, the State Public Charter School Authority approved closing two charter schools due to financial problems: Teach Las Vegas and Eagle Charter School.
State approves closing 2 charter schools in Las Vegas impacting hundreds of students
On another note, four charter schools located in Las Vegas are facing scrutiny for owing thousands of dollars to the state in employee pension contributions.
The State Public Charter School Authority posted the following numbers on its website:
Nevada Prep Charter – $332,565.80
Explore Las Vegas – $534,625.71
Teach Las Vegas – $45,754.36
Equipo Academy – $340,741.73
That matter is set to be discussed at Friday’s State Public Charter School Authority meeting.
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