High school to close; Findlay Prep in limbo

Findlay Prep's ultra-successful basketball team collected two more victories this weekend.

But it doesn't offset the loss the team soon will suffer -- its home.

Henderson International announced late Friday it no longer will operate a high school after this school year. That means if one of the most successful prep basketball teams in the country is to continue, it will need to find a new partner.

Auto dealership magnate Cliff Findlay started Findlay Prep in fall 2006, attracting top athletes from around the world to Henderson and just miles from UNLV.

Findlay Prep won last season's National High School Invitational. This year the Pilots are 29-2 and ranked No. 2 by USA Today. Over the past three seasons the Pilots have a 91-3 record.

Findlay continues to be the main financial backer of the program. Phone messages left for him Saturday were not returned.

Findlay Prep players attend classes, practice and play home games at Henderson International. The players live in a dorm-like setting across the street from the private school. But that school won't be open next school year, leaving Findlay Prep in limbo.

Citing declining enrollment, Henderson International will shutter two of its three campuses, consolidating into one school that will house preschool through eighth grade.

"It was something the company studied for quite some time," said Megan Hakes, spokesperson for the Meritas Schools, of which Henderson International became a member in 2005. "When it became perfectly clear the high school would not be sustainable, we made the decision and informed our students, our families and our faculty."

Brian Siegel, head of schools at Henderson International, informed faculty and parents of the decision late Friday.

"Despite years of intense efforts to raise enrollment and improve operations, the serious economic challenges facing our community have taken their toll," Siegel said in a letter.

Henderson International's school Web site lists one-year tuition for high school students at $15,171. With instruction materials and other fees, the total rises to $17,571 for students in grades 9 through 11 and $17,846 for seniors. There is a 10 percent discount for multiple-student families, and financial aid is available.

"We have an increasing number of parents who either can't afford to pay full tuition or any tuition at all," Hakes said.

And with barely more than 100 students in grades 9 through 12, keeping a private school afloat isn't easy.

"The biggest issue we're facing is a demand issue," Hakes said. "There's not enough demand in Henderson for a private high school."

What's still unclear is the future of Findlay Prep.

"We very much hope Findlay Prep finds a soft landing at another school," Hakes said. "We understand and appreciate what it means to the community."

Requests for comment from school administrators and Findlay Prep's coaches, who are faculty members at Henderson International, were referred to Hakes.

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.