National School Choice Week is quickly approaching! From January 24th – 30th 2021, parents, students, and educators will celebrate school choice and share valuable information and resources that inform the community about the educational options that are available in their state. As a public charter school, Nevada State High School is a choice available to students and parents in the state of Nevada. Is Nevada State High School the right choice for you? The answer to this question will become clear after understanding the options available to you!
What is School Choice?
As stated on SchoolChoiceWeek.com, school choice is the process of allowing every family to choose the K-12 educational options that are the best fit their children. From school culture to curriculum offered, there are many factors that contribute to whether a school is the right fit for a student. Every child is unique and has different goals and learning styles. While some may succeed in a traditional public school environment, others may not. School choice advocacy involves making families aware of all the options available to them, including charter schools, magnet schools, online schools, private schools, and home learning. School Choice Week states, “Every child deserves an effective, challenging, and motivating education. And, because each student has their own unique set of talents, interests, and challenges, having a variety of options in education is crucial. What works well for one child may not work well for another child! In short, school choice ensures that each student can find a learning environment that allows them to be inspired, successful, and happy.”
Why is School Choice Important?
Students, parents, and educators agree that school choice is crucial to setting students up for a successful future:
Michele Williams, a Nevada State High School parent and Educational Advising Coordinator states, “School choice empowers parents and students to choose the best educational environment for them. As a parent of three children who have all attended public charter schools, I have personally seen the benefits that school choice has made in my kids’ educational lives. Furthermore, as an educator for the past twenty years, I know that not all schools are the best fit for every student. By allowing parents and students the freedom of choice in their educational environment we are providing students with options that best fit their learning styles and therefore empowering them to achieve their academic goals. It is not only important for students to have school choice, but it also benefits our society as a whole when we have successful learners who then are successful in the workforce.”
Autumn Shulkusky, a Nevada State High School student, writes, “The option to choose my school is very important to my family and me. This ensures that I have the ability to get the best possible education that fit my needs. After hearing about Nevada State High School from a friend, I knew this was the right choice for me. Getting a head start on my college education for free was an opportunity that I could not pass up. The ability to choose my own school brings a more personalized experience to my education. Rather than being forced to go to a general public school, I picked my educational path in order to prepare for my future. This is a great advantage to have.”
Cristal Porter, an educational researcher and the Marketing & Engagement Director for Nevada State High School, also believes that education should not be approached with a ‘one size fits all’ mindset: “After nine years working in education at both traditional public schools and charter schools, it is clear to see that there is not one right way to teach children. There is an outstanding variety of curriculum, programs, and schooling available to families in Nevada. ‘When you know better, you do better.’ Parents and students are doing research to uncover the schools that are best for them and taking their education into their own hands. It’s empowering!”
What is a Public Charter School?
A public charter school is a public, tuition-free school that usually has no requirement for entry. Often operated independently from the traditional school district, charter schools provide high-quality instruction from educators who have the autonomy to design their curriculum and classroom. This autonomy is what distinguishes charter schools from traditional public schools. Charters have the freedom to innovate and are accountable to authorizing bodies for their results. Nevada has many public charter schools to choose from, each with a unique purpose specific to the community it serves. Nevada State High School is one of these choices.
Nevada State High School: A Real College Experience
Unique to the state of Nevada, Nevada State High School is a tuition-free public charter school. At this state-funded high school, juniors and seniors take real college courses with real college professors on real college and university campuses in Nevada. These courses count for both high school and college credit, making it possible for our students to earn their high school diplomas while getting a head start on their college degrees.
Nya Berry, a mom and former executive director of Nevada State High School, referred to the school as “the best kept secret in Nevada.” Students are able to save up to $80,000 on college tuition and graduate from high school with an associate degree. For 11th and 12th grade students who want to go to college (but not go into debt in the process), Nevada State High School may be the perfect choice school for you!
Making Your Choice: Fall 2021 Applications
If Nevada State High School is the right choice for you, applications for Fall 2021 will be open February 1st! Students can apply online at earlycollegenv.com. During our 6-step registration process, students submit college applications, complete placement testing, and work with site staff to develop an individualized high school academic plan. Students create their own schedule and take college-level electives that can be transferred to towards a bachelor’s degree program of choice. If you would like to learn more about our dual-credit program, explore our website or register for a Virtual Open House.
You can also tune in to Nevada State High School’s social media platforms as we celebrate National School Choice Week starting January 24th!