Las Vegas Academy

As a parent of a student graduating this year and one who graduated 4 years ago, I can state without question this is an amazing school.The full staff is so helpful,the teachers-caring and the students remarkable.To go to this school you have to audition be it in any of the arts or international studies.Yes, the atmosphere is interesting ,but lets not forget it is a school which specializes in the arts.Zero bullying the kids are all different in MANY ways so no one stands out.Teachers will push you as far as YOU want to go.the sky is the limit.Yes downtown is close ,but it is in a safe urban environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Academics are very good at this school. Teachers and staff are excellent! Counselors very, very good as well. The problem with this school is the location. Right down town next to Fremont Street. This can create a problem. There are unfortunately opportunities for drugs such as drug houses very close as well. It is a very, very good school but if you are sending your child here make sure they are mature and able to handle a college like setting!
--Submitted by a parent

LVA is the best school Clark County has to offer. Having recently graduated after spending all four years of high school there, I believe I am qualified to make that assumption. Yes, some of the teachers can be irritating to deal with on a daily basis, but they are doing their jobs. Yes, the classes can be hard, but would you rather your child not be challenged? This high school became my second home for four years. I do not know what I would have done at another school. You become so close to the class you are with since there aren't really that many students in the first place. I graduated with around 350 students. We all grew together and became very close friends. LVA has the best to offer regarding art programs AND education. As long as you keep your interest in your major, the high school experience will be the best you will ever have. Regardless of not having any sports. I would recommend this school to any parent or student. It is worth giving a shot at.
--Submitted by a student

Clearly the best public high school in Las Vegas, LVA rivals Bishop Gorman, Faith Lutheran, The Adelson School and The Meadows School - all private and charging tuition. What a remarkable place!
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school. LVA is the best high school in clark county. My son attends the school this is his junior year. They prepare the kids for college which is something that I have been looking for. With the economy in a bad situation, LVA does it's best to keep good teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

LVA is an amazing school filled with people who are not just acquaintances, but a family. The students and staff at LVA are so accepting and caring, it's almost unreal. As a student at the Las Vegas Academy, I am proud to say that I attend a school that actually feels like a loving, supporting environment. There is generally no bullying or judging because, even though the school is large, we all know each other, or know people who know us. We don't look at others and automatically assume they are different. We look at them and think 'Hey. That person knows who they are and they're proud of it.' After all, who are we to judge? Who are we to assume? At the Las Vegas Academy, that's we live by. We're a family. We treat each other like family. That's how a school should be.
--Submitted by a student

I graduated from Las Vegas Academy in 2008 and attended the school for all four years. LVA does so much for its students by preparing them for college and giving them the social skills to also conquer the real world. Every concentration--or major--requires dedication from each student, which teaches them what plain hard work is, from time management to the importance of practice. Each major also has corresponding extracurriculars and typical school clubs are offered too, such as Student Council and Key Club. On top of that, if students want a new club, they can form one! In my day, there was a Magic Club--how cool is that?! The teachers in majors as well as academic are quality instructors as well as individuals. They truly care and try to push students to learn more and work harder. The same goes for the administration--they constantly sit in on classes, attend student performances, show tons of support, and know many of the students by name. As in many schools, you get what you give. If your child tries out for a musical or join any club, you ll see him/her blossom into a responsible adult who can always rise to the occasion.
--Submitted by a student

I don't like LVA...I love it! I'm a freshman theater major and my school is the bomb(: the teachers encourage you to push beyond your limits and break free of the mold. whoever said that our school is too liberal and is pushing the boundaries, we sure do! Mr. long, our fabulous principle, really knows what he's doing! he makes sure that the classes are going well and sits in on them a lot! He was in my theater class when we were doing improvisations and he was hysterical! He congratulated us at the end of class and it made me feel really good about myself. I will be at LVA til they force me to leave when I graduate, but I'll never want to(:
--Submitted by a student

I graduated from LVA, and I firmly believe that no other high school could have better prepared me for college on every level. It has not only strengthened my creativity and dance skills, but it has made me a more open minded, tolerant, respectable, and (frankly) tough-skinned person. The teachers truly care about their students, academic and major alike. You have to work hard and yes, suffer some emotional damages (not getting the lead, knowing somebody is more advanced than you). There is a positive pressure put on every student to be the best they individual they can be. All of my teachers and my counselor helped me in choosing, applying, and getting into college. They did this without reluctance; they genuinely cared. I find that I am more mature than other students at my college, and that I was much more prepared for college than my peers who did not attend LVA. I will not be a professional dancer, and I still believe that LVA has done me worlds of good in the classroom, studio, and society.
--Submitted by a student

My child has attended LVA as a Choir major for the past two years. While there have been some upsetting changes, overall we are pleased and feel this is the best high school option in the area. We do pay out of pocket for athletics since there is NO athletic program. One concern worth mentioning to anyone considering this school is the very liberal "freedom of speech" policy. At what point do political correctness and promotion/endorsement of homosexuality cross the line and become inappropriate in a high school setting? There also seems to be a prevailing lack of respect for this nations principles, traditions, and history. Some faculty members teach these young, impressionable minds that it is OK to not stand for the Pledge of Allegience. This, in my opinion, is simply unacceptable! This is NOT true for all faculty, but it often seems that religion or the traditional morals and values of mainstream America are frowned upon or regarded at "antiquated." Overall, this IS a good school, but be prepared to be frustrated!
--Submitted by a parent