It's a charter high school designed to give students a head start on college. Nevada State High School started in Southern Nevada and moved to the Reno area about three years ago. The campus is a storefront on Longley Lane.
"In the words of our founder, Dr. John Hawk, he wants to get back to that one room schoolhouse," said Bill Meister, Director of Site Administration. "We're trying to keep that number low so we can help students make that transition from high school to college."
Students take some classes there, but a big part of the learning is done at local colleges.
"Right now I take four classes at TMCC," said Junior Moriah Rodriguez. "Another online and the one here for Nevada State High School. That one teaches us how to budget, how to write scholarship essays, where to look for scholarships, how to prioritize our time and socially interact with other students so we're not isolated from the rest of society. My TMCC classes are where I'm receiving my dual credits; I go there twice a week at night and take general education so that can be out of the way, so when I get to my senior year I can take the required classes for my Associate's degree.
She hopes to have that degree complete by the time she graduates.
"I'm hoping to have my Associate's in criminal justice," She said. "I'm very passionate about that and I'm hoping to go into that line of work. I feel really excited about that because I know I have an advantage and I want students to know that is an opportunity for you. High school is hard, and being in a dual credit program is hard, but putting in the work and the effort, you get to come out on top."
The school accepts juniors and seniors with college in mind. Tuition is free; students just have to pay for books.
"We're looking for students that are motivated and have a large amount of responsibility," Meister said. "Typically Juniors and Seniors , the ones that want to jump start their wonderful college careers."
The program started in the Las Vegas area and moved north about three years ago. There are about 900 students total; 55 here in the Truckee Meadows. Enrollment for the Spring semester is now open.
"We are accepting for the Spring semester so any juniors or seniors are eligible," Meister said. "Sophomores that are interested in next Fall, that enrollment starts February 1st."
More information: https://earlycollegenv.com/
