Author: Justin Scanson

Earlier this month at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Clark High School clinched first place at the 2025 Nevada Science Olympiad, earning their 14th state championship. The win secures their spot at the National Science Olympiad Tournament this May at the University of Nebraska. The competition featured some of the top young scientific minds from across the state, and Clark High School stood out with an impressive medal haul in events ranging from Air Trajectory and Anatomy to Experimental Design and Wind Power. The team brought home multiple top-three finishes across more than a dozen categories, including: 🥇…

What happens when the spotlight shifts from students to staff? You get CCSD’s Got Talent—an inaugural singing competition that brought heart, harmony, and high notes to the Clark County School District stage. Earlier this year, more than 150 CCSD employees submitted audition videos hoping for a chance to showcase their talent. From that pool, 10 finalists were selected, most of them performing arts educators who help students shine year-round. Now, it was their turn. The finalists performed everything from gospel and opera to pop and rock. But the night belonged to Dominique Gaston, a school bus driver, who brought down…

The We the People team from Southwest Career and Technical Academy (SWCTA) is making history—and heading to Washington, D.C. After earning second place at the state-level competition, the SWCTA team is set to represent Clark County School District on the national stage in this prestigious mock congressional hearing. This marks only the fourth time in the past 20 years that a CCSD team has advanced to the national ‘We the People’ finals competition, an event that challenges high school students to present and defend their knowledge of constitutional principles before panels of real judges and legal scholars. “No one expected…

The Clark County School District is preparing to submit a competitive proposal to the Nevada Department of Education to expand the Title IV, Part B Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant program. Planning for the specifics of program implementation is ongoing and student, parent/guardian, and community input is encouraged. The public may contact Brianna Mills, director, at (702) 799-3346 or send an email to millsb@nv.ccsd.net for additional information. The grant application must be submitted by April 11, 2025. If awarded, this federally-funded grant will expand afterschool programming that provides students with evidence-based academic and enrichment opportunities. Activities…

Two CCSD schools, Richard C. Priest Elementary School and Advanced Technologies Academy, recently earned the highest achievement for a school counseling program. The American School Counselor Association recognized each school as a Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program (RAMP). The big picture: CCSD Guidance and Counseling Director Monica Martin noted that the RAMP award is a national recognition and a five-year designation for schools with outstanding comprehensive counseling programs. Why it matters: “Working as a school counseling team involves collaboration to support the academic, emotional, and social well-being of students,” said Leighanne Mainguy, a Priest Elementary School counselor. Each counselor brings unique strengths…

Clark County School District (CCSD) Superintendent Jhone Ebert began her first day on the job with a pair of school visits. Superintendent Ebert visited Howard Wasden Elementary School where she spoke with students and educators as she toured the campus. The Superintendent also spoke at an event where the Advanced Technologies Academy’s (A-TECH) Lecture Hall was dedicated to the school’s founding principal, Michael Kinnaird. —- April 10th, 2024 – The Clark County School District (CCSD) Board of School Trustees approved an employment agreement with Jhone Ebert to serve as Superintendent. Superintendent Ebert’s first day in the role will be April…

The CCSD Academic Support and Community Service Center provides free tutoring resources for elementary, middle, and high school students. The center’s tutoring is provided by licensed CCSD educators in all core curriculum areas, including ACT/SAT prep. Noteworthy: The center, which is adjacent to Advanced Technologies Academy, is the only one of its kind in CCSD that reaches students in all grade levels. The tutoring hours are 2:30-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The big picture: Paris Hill, the center’s coordinator, said schools are the primary educators of students, but the center helps bridge that gap for kids throughout CCSD who might…

Best Buddies is changing lives across Clark County School District (CCSD) by fostering friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). With 34 active chapters and nearly 900 participants, this program creates a more inclusive school environment—one friendship at a time. Why It Matters Students in Best Buddies gain confidence, self-esteem, and social skills while forming meaningful connections with their peers. The program helps break barriers, ensuring that all students feel valued and included. “The happiest moments of my teaching career have been when I sit back and watch the magic happen—two people from different worlds connecting,…

The Power of Teacher Lawmakers What happens when educators bring their classroom insights to the Nevada Legislature? You get policymakers uniquely understanding the state education system’s challenges and opportunities. CCSD boasts dedicated teachers and principals who not only shape young minds but also craft state policy. These teacher lawmakers, including Assemblymember Reuben D’Silva, Senator Shelly Cruz-Crawford, and Assemblymember Brittney Miller, are making strides in education policy, prioritizing student success and teacher support. Classroom Experience Meets Policy Expertise Nevada’s education system faces unique challenges, from funding disparities to growing class sizes. Many of these obstacles require nuanced solutions that only those…

For students at Rancho High School, the journey to becoming a teacher starts long before college. As part of the Teacher Academy College Pathway Program (TACPP), students gain hands-on classroom experience, mentorship, and college credit—all while still in high school. This initiative, created by the Nevada Legislature and supported by the Nevada Department of Education, is designed to address the state’s teacher shortage by creating a clear, structured pathway into the profession. With over 300 students enrolled, Rancho’s program is preparing the next generation of educators for CCSD classrooms. Hands-On Experience in the Classroom One of the hallmarks of TACPP…