Celebrating CCSD leaders: Helen Anderson Toland

The Clark County School District (CCSD) is celebrating Black History Month by sharing the inspiring stories of CCSD’s African-American namesakes who were pioneers in their profession and some of the District’s firsts in education. 

Helen Anderson Toland was the first African-American female principal hired at CCSD in 1965. Ms. Toland led Kit Carson Elementary School, in an area commonly known as the Westside. She initially started as a speech therapist at the school. 

She had the vision as principal at Kit Carson to instill the love of literacy through the creative strengths of first-hand, real-life situations. After leaving Kit Carson, she accepted a leadership position at the Robert E. Lake Elementary School, when schools began busing the 6th grade centers during the transition of student integration. 

She’s famously known for her community yard sales to send and keep young people in school, both in Las Vegas and South Africa. She continues her international trips to Africa, to ensure and encourage young African youth a pathway to education. 

Kit Carson International Academy was renamed to Helen Anderson Toland International Academy in 2021.