HIGHER LEARNING

Nevada State High School lets students get a jump-start on college

MARLENE KARAS/VIEWErika Funtila works on an assignment at Nevada State High School. The school allows juniors and seniors to earn college credits while they?re still enrolled in high school. MARLENE KARAS/VIEWMatt Long works on an English assignment at Nevada State High School, March 26. MARLENE KARAS/VIEWMatt Long works on an English assignment at Nevada State High School, March 26. Advertisement

Frustrated with busywork and the lack of challenges at their private school, twin sisters Jackie and Mollie Singer were looking to get something more out of high school.

By chance, the girls' mother, whose name also is Jackie Singer, stumbled upon a mailing for Nevada State High School. The family went for an informational session, and immediately knew the twins had to transfer.

"This was exactly what we were looking for, an alternative to the traditional environment," the twins' mother said.

Nevada State High School is a charter school that allows juniors and seniors to take college classes at Nevada State College and CCSN while concurrently enrolled in high school. Nevada State High School pays college tuition for up to five college classes each semester and for textbooks.

The school is paid for with state money at the same rate as the Clark County School District -- $5,500 per student -- said Nevada State High School executive director John Hawk.

"Not only do we provide opportunities for our students, but for our teachers, as well. It's a uniqueness about our school that you won't find elsewhere," Hawk said.

Each of the instructors has his or her own budget to spend for educational purposes.

Hawk acts as director of the school with his wife, Wendi, as principal. Both have backgrounds in education with the Clark County School District.

Unlike other administrative leaders, the Hawks are directly involved with the students. Both teach classes and tutor students in addition to performing administrative duties.

"I'm the principal, but I know the writing levels of every student in the school," Wendi said.

Currently, Nevada State High School has 135 students, up from 40 its first year in 2004-2005. Next year, John said, the school will have about 200 open spots.

According to statistics provided by Wendi, all of the Nevada State High School juniors passed the writing proficiency exam on the first attempt over the past two years. All of the seniors graduating this year plan on going to college in the fall, and 44 percent of the students earned a 3.0 or higher grade-point average during the fall semester.

Wendi said, in general, there are no discipline problems because the students who are there want to be there.

"One parent said it's like college on training wheels," she said.

Wendi said the students are able to take all or most of their core requirements so they can enter college as sophomores.

"It goes above and beyond what an AP class would be," she said.

The credits transfer to all the universities within the Nevada System of Higher Education and to many out-of-state schools.

Nevada State High School also offers several classes to help students prepare for college. Before the school year starts, the new students take an introduction class in which they can find out how Nevada State High School will be different from a regular high school. If they don't like it, John said, they can back out with no consequences.

The school also offers free tutoring and study habits classes.

Students choose their schedule from the classes offered at the colleges. Like college, students can choose to have classes later in the day and often do not attend classes on all five days.

Singer said she felt that the freedom was good for her two daughters.

"You have the tools to catch them if they fall," she said.

Singer said the only problem she encountered with the school was transportation. Her family lives in the southeast portion of the valley, and the school does not provide transportation. She said many students' parents dropped them off early in the morning and picked them up after work in the evening.

Also, John said, the addition of CCSN classes would help students who live far from Nevada State College, located at 1125 Nevada State Drive in Henderson.

Students from across the valley are represented in the student population, from Summerlin to Henderson, which Singer said was a good thing. "There's a lot more diversity, but less drama (than traditional high schools)," she said.

Students at Nevada State High School are expected to complete at least 60 hours of community service per year. Because of her work, Mollie earned the Prudential Spirit of the Community Service Award and will travel to Washington, D.C., in May.

Both Mollie and Jackie have unique issues that they struggled with at their traditional schools. Mollie is diabetic and needs to eat often.

"Most of the professors were understanding," she said. She added that the Hawks keep a fridge with her diabetic supplies.

Once, Mollie said, she took a test while she had low blood sugar and missed every single question. Her instructor realized what happened and allowed her to retake the test.

Jackie has a learning disability that requires her to take more time to process information.

"They said I can have more time on tests and have a quiet study area," she said.

Singer said she was impressed with the way the school handled her daughters' needs.

"They took (Jackie) and helped her to blossom," she said.

The girls warn that although the school was right for them, it might not work for everyone because it is more college-based than a typical high school. The students don't yet have sports teams, but they do have a prom and recently held their first assembly.

"Some people need the social events," Mollie said.

Both girls have a 4.0 grade-point average and were accepted into the honors college at UNLV.

They said they had few problems registering for classes in the fall because they already had experience compiling a schedule.

"I'm really glad I had the transition from high school to college," Mollie said.

They estimated that they need only 2 1/2 to three more years of college.

"I'm excited that by the time I'm 20 years old, I'm going to be graduating from college," Jackie said.

Nevada State High School is accepting applications from students who will be juniors or seniors next year. For more information, visit www.earlycollegenv.com.