Clark County School District or CCSD is a very diverse school district. Students and faculty members of CCSD speak a total of 106 different languages and represent 145 different nations world wide. CCSD enrollments typically increase by 12,000 to 13,000 a year making it a rapidly growing district along with the fifth largest district in the United States.
Early History
The first classes were held on September 21st, 1856 in a small meeting house; however, very little records of this school are available. Two of the first known teachers were Alexander A. Lemon and Martha Cox. Martha Cox first arrived in 1881 after receiving her teaching license. Schools began popping up all over between 1856 and the early 1900's but very few still remain. As more people began flowing in to Nevada for jobs in mining or construction schools began to grow. Boards raised money for bonds to pay for new elementary, middle, and high schools. At this point Nevada still hadn't placed any law forbidding counties from having a plethora of school districts. These districts were constantly changing names and buying out other districts, such as the change in name from the Railroad Pass School District to the Henderson School District in 1944. Before the 1950's, the Clark County district was separated into approximately twelve smaller districts that included close to forty schools and all of Nevada had close to 200 school districts. In 1956 CCSD became a school district and it consolidated the Blue Diamond, Boulder City Union, Boulder City High School, Educational Consolidated District 1, Moapa Valley High School, Virgin Valley High School, Eldorado, Enterprise, Garnet, Goodsprings, Basic High School, Indian Springs, Las Vegas Union, Las Vegas High School, Paradise, Searchlight, Sloan, and Whitney School Districts. Dr. Gray was the first superintendent of the new Clark County School District.
Schools built before 1955
Las Vegas and North Las Vegas: Henderson:
Biltmore Basic Elementary
Bonanza Elementary Basic High School
Crestwood Elementary Carver Park Elementary
Freemont Elementary Park Village Elementary
Highland Townsite School
Jefferson Valley View Elementary
Las Vegas Grammar School (5th Street School) Boulder City:
Las Vegas High School Boulder City Elementary
Lincoln Elementary Boulder City Junior/Senior High School
Madison Elementary Moapa & Virgin Valley:
Moutain View Elementary Bunkerville School
Nellis AFB Longdale School
Nelson Mesquite School
North Ninth Moapa Valley High School
Paradise Elementary Overton School
Park Elementary Virgin Valley High School
Rancho High School Other Areas:
Smith Elementary Blue Diamond
Stewart Elemantary Goodsprings
Sunrise Acres Elementary Indian Springs School
Twin Lakes Elementary Searchlight
Washington Elementary Sloan School
West Charleston Elementary Variety School
Westside
Whitney Elementary
Biltmore Basic Elementary
Bonanza Elementary Basic High School
Crestwood Elementary Carver Park Elementary
Freemont Elementary Park Village Elementary
Highland Townsite School
Jefferson Valley View Elementary
Las Vegas Grammar School (5th Street School) Boulder City:
Las Vegas High School Boulder City Elementary
Lincoln Elementary Boulder City Junior/Senior High School
Madison Elementary Moapa & Virgin Valley:
Moutain View Elementary Bunkerville School
Nellis AFB Longdale School
Nelson Mesquite School
North Ninth Moapa Valley High School
Paradise Elementary Overton School
Park Elementary Virgin Valley High School
Rancho High School Other Areas:
Smith Elementary Blue Diamond
Stewart Elemantary Goodsprings
Sunrise Acres Elementary Indian Springs School
Twin Lakes Elementary Searchlight
Washington Elementary Sloan School
West Charleston Elementary Variety School
Westside
Whitney Elementary
Unification of Education
Before unifying, education was complicated because of the diverse communities and their independence. The state of Nevada had very little qualifications for schools giving them almost complete freedom and it made it hard for the constant mobility of many families moving in and out of Nevada. With the unification of CCSD, which is the most heavily populated area in Nevada, education as a whole became more unified. However with this unification also came other issues such of how to deal with health issues, in which they established a nursing department. They also had to deal with threats to students, such as bomb threats, when the old process of shutting down the school seemed ineffective cost wise so they changed it only closing the school overnight and any lost class time had to be made up. The unification of districts proved to be more cost effective for districts by combing the brain powers of officials and modifying or removing programs that were hurting students.
Schools built in unification period
Elementary Schools: Red Rock
O. K. Adcock Lewis E. Rowe
Rex Bell C.P. Squires
Walter Bracken Ruby S. Thomas
Marion Cahlan J. M. Ullom
Kit Carson Vegas Verdes
Lois Craig Rose Warren
Paul E. Culley Tom Williams
Laura Dearing Middle Schools/Junior High Schools:
Ira J. Earl Jim Bridger
Ruth Fyfe K. O. Knudson
E. W. Griffith Frank F. Garside
Doris Hancock Robert O. Gibson
Fay Herron Roy W. Martin
Halle Hewetson Hyde Park
Matt Kelly High Schools:
Robert E. Lake Ed. W. Clark
Lincoln Valley
Jo Mackey Western
J.E. Manch Alternative/Special Schools:
Quannah McCall Desert Rose Adult High School
J.T. McWilliams
John F. Miller
O. K. Adcock Lewis E. Rowe
Rex Bell C.P. Squires
Walter Bracken Ruby S. Thomas
Marion Cahlan J. M. Ullom
Kit Carson Vegas Verdes
Lois Craig Rose Warren
Paul E. Culley Tom Williams
Laura Dearing Middle Schools/Junior High Schools:
Ira J. Earl Jim Bridger
Ruth Fyfe K. O. Knudson
E. W. Griffith Frank F. Garside
Doris Hancock Robert O. Gibson
Fay Herron Roy W. Martin
Halle Hewetson Hyde Park
Matt Kelly High Schools:
Robert E. Lake Ed. W. Clark
Lincoln Valley
Jo Mackey Western
J.E. Manch Alternative/Special Schools:
Quannah McCall Desert Rose Adult High School
J.T. McWilliams
John F. Miller
Major changes in education
Integration
Integration began with elementary schools by putting together social events that were integrated in order to keep federal funding. A board was soon created to come up with strategies to prepare students for the integration that was coming. In 1966 a three step integration process was soon put into place. The plan didn't have the desired results because it relied on people wanting to integrate. The plan caused many fights as well as criminal offenses. Today, Clark County School District has become a very diverse district like they once hoped.
Advances in Educational Tools
In 1970, Sunset High School opened as the first comprehensive high school. It offered classes at night for those who had to work during the day to provide for their families. In 1967 funding for educational television was finally available for Nevada. The providing of the educational television also gave way to new teaching in technology to students. Teachers also had access to video tape playback. The station also began the first homework hotline, which is still available today.
School Lunches
Integration caused schools across Nevada to implement a school lunch program. As students were being bussed out of their neighborhoods and into another, lunches from home became practical. Students needed some way to eat so schools started to provide them with a lunch program. The traditional lunch consisted of sandwiches and milk. CCSD eventually introduced salad bars into it's junior and senior high schools, being the first in the nation to do so. Along with this came the revamping of school lunch programs. Nevada schools began offering nutritious fast foods to appease students such as burgers, fries, and pizza.
Special Education
In 1953 the Nevada state legislation set aside funding for special education programs because of the rising need. Even before this some programs were in place though scarce and few. In 1950 business people, hotel owners, and community leaders created the Las Vegas chapter of the Variety Club. It's major focus was to provide funding for children who were disabled. Nevada school districts not only provided for those who were physically and mentally disabled but also for those who were emotionally challenged. In 1955 the Las Vegas unified School District was the first to provide a psychologist for it's students. Before the state provided funding for specialized instructors, groups such as the Women's Service League paid for their salaries. Clark County had a well established program for deaf children.
Integration began with elementary schools by putting together social events that were integrated in order to keep federal funding. A board was soon created to come up with strategies to prepare students for the integration that was coming. In 1966 a three step integration process was soon put into place. The plan didn't have the desired results because it relied on people wanting to integrate. The plan caused many fights as well as criminal offenses. Today, Clark County School District has become a very diverse district like they once hoped.
Advances in Educational Tools
In 1970, Sunset High School opened as the first comprehensive high school. It offered classes at night for those who had to work during the day to provide for their families. In 1967 funding for educational television was finally available for Nevada. The providing of the educational television also gave way to new teaching in technology to students. Teachers also had access to video tape playback. The station also began the first homework hotline, which is still available today.
School Lunches
Integration caused schools across Nevada to implement a school lunch program. As students were being bussed out of their neighborhoods and into another, lunches from home became practical. Students needed some way to eat so schools started to provide them with a lunch program. The traditional lunch consisted of sandwiches and milk. CCSD eventually introduced salad bars into it's junior and senior high schools, being the first in the nation to do so. Along with this came the revamping of school lunch programs. Nevada schools began offering nutritious fast foods to appease students such as burgers, fries, and pizza.
Special Education
In 1953 the Nevada state legislation set aside funding for special education programs because of the rising need. Even before this some programs were in place though scarce and few. In 1950 business people, hotel owners, and community leaders created the Las Vegas chapter of the Variety Club. It's major focus was to provide funding for children who were disabled. Nevada school districts not only provided for those who were physically and mentally disabled but also for those who were emotionally challenged. In 1955 the Las Vegas unified School District was the first to provide a psychologist for it's students. Before the state provided funding for specialized instructors, groups such as the Women's Service League paid for their salaries. Clark County had a well established program for deaf children.
Schools built from 1965 - 1974
Elementary Schools: Dell H. Robinson
Will Beckley Ed Von Tobel
P.A. Diskin C.W. Woodbury
William E. Ferron Basic (moved to new building)
C.V.T. Gilbert Bonanza
Harley A. Harmon Chaparral
George E. Harris Eldorado
Earl B. Lundy Southern Nevada Vocational Technical Center
Andrew Mitchell Alternative/Special Schools:
Vail Pittman Helen J. Stewart
C.C. Ronnow
Bertha Ronzone
Helen M. Smith
Myrtle Tate
Bill Y. Tomiyasu
Gene Ward
Cyril Wengret
Middle Schools:
J. Harold
James Cashman
William E. Orr
Ed Von Tobel
C.W. Woodbury
Will Beckley Ed Von Tobel
P.A. Diskin C.W. Woodbury
William E. Ferron Basic (moved to new building)
C.V.T. Gilbert Bonanza
Harley A. Harmon Chaparral
George E. Harris Eldorado
Earl B. Lundy Southern Nevada Vocational Technical Center
Andrew Mitchell Alternative/Special Schools:
Vail Pittman Helen J. Stewart
C.C. Ronnow
Bertha Ronzone
Helen M. Smith
Myrtle Tate
Bill Y. Tomiyasu
Gene Ward
Cyril Wengret
Middle Schools:
J. Harold
James Cashman
William E. Orr
Ed Von Tobel
C.W. Woodbury
Programs in NEvada
The Rhythemettes
The rythemettes are a dance troupe founded by Evelyn Stuckey. The ryhthemettes have gotten to appear on television shows such as Wide World of Sports and The Ed Sullivan show, as well as attend the New York City World's Fair. The rythemettes goal is to give girls a sense of accomplishment, camaraderie, and leadership opportunities. 307 women have been rythemettes supporting their motto: Perfection in performance means perfection in living.
Vocational Training
In 1965 CCSD opened its first vocational high school, the Southern Nevada Vocational Center. The goal was to offer special courses that were not offered anywhere else. Today CCSD has 25 Vocational training schools.
The rythemettes are a dance troupe founded by Evelyn Stuckey. The ryhthemettes have gotten to appear on television shows such as Wide World of Sports and The Ed Sullivan show, as well as attend the New York City World's Fair. The rythemettes goal is to give girls a sense of accomplishment, camaraderie, and leadership opportunities. 307 women have been rythemettes supporting their motto: Perfection in performance means perfection in living.
Vocational Training
In 1965 CCSD opened its first vocational high school, the Southern Nevada Vocational Center. The goal was to offer special courses that were not offered anywhere else. Today CCSD has 25 Vocational training schools.
Schools built 1975 - 2005
Elementary Schools: Frank Kim
Grant Bowler Martha P. King
C. H. Decker Martin Luther King Jr.
Elbert Edwards William Lummis
Doris French Robert Lunt
Fay Galloway Ann Lynch
ORan Gragson Ernest May
R. Guild Gray Estes M. McDoniel
Walter V. Long James B. McMillan
Nate Mack Middle Schools:
R.E. Tobler B. Mahlon Brown
Sandy Valley Helen C. Cannon
Virgin Valley Elton M. garrett
Kirk Adams Kenny C. Guinn
Lee Antonello Ernest Becker
Selma F. Bartlett Hank & Barabara Greenspun
John R. Beatty Walter Johnson
Patricia A. Bendorf Mike O'Callahan
William G. Bennett Grant Sawyer
Lucile Bruner Theron L. Swanson
M.J. Christensen Thurman White
Clyde C. Cox Advanced Technologies Academy
David M. Cox Area Technical trade Center
Cynthia Cunningham Cheyenne
Jack Dailey Cimarron Memorial
Herbert A. Derfelt Durango
Ruthie Deskin Green Valley
John Dooley Las Vegas (New Building at new site)
Marion B. Earl Green Valley
Dorothy Eisenberg Laughlin JH/SH
H.P. Fitzgerald Moapa Valley (New Building)
Lilly & Wing Fong Silverado
James Gibson Vigin Valley (New Building)
Helen Herr Alternative/Special Schools:
Charlotte Hill Horizon/Sunset - Burk Campus
Edna F. Hinman
Walter Jacobson
Helen Jydstrup
Marc Kahre
Edith & Lloyd Katz
Grant Bowler Martha P. King
C. H. Decker Martin Luther King Jr.
Elbert Edwards William Lummis
Doris French Robert Lunt
Fay Galloway Ann Lynch
ORan Gragson Ernest May
R. Guild Gray Estes M. McDoniel
Walter V. Long James B. McMillan
Nate Mack Middle Schools:
R.E. Tobler B. Mahlon Brown
Sandy Valley Helen C. Cannon
Virgin Valley Elton M. garrett
Kirk Adams Kenny C. Guinn
Lee Antonello Ernest Becker
Selma F. Bartlett Hank & Barabara Greenspun
John R. Beatty Walter Johnson
Patricia A. Bendorf Mike O'Callahan
William G. Bennett Grant Sawyer
Lucile Bruner Theron L. Swanson
M.J. Christensen Thurman White
Clyde C. Cox Advanced Technologies Academy
David M. Cox Area Technical trade Center
Cynthia Cunningham Cheyenne
Jack Dailey Cimarron Memorial
Herbert A. Derfelt Durango
Ruthie Deskin Green Valley
John Dooley Las Vegas (New Building at new site)
Marion B. Earl Green Valley
Dorothy Eisenberg Laughlin JH/SH
H.P. Fitzgerald Moapa Valley (New Building)
Lilly & Wing Fong Silverado
James Gibson Vigin Valley (New Building)
Helen Herr Alternative/Special Schools:
Charlotte Hill Horizon/Sunset - Burk Campus
Edna F. Hinman
Walter Jacobson
Helen Jydstrup
Marc Kahre
Edith & Lloyd Katz