Summerlin’s public schools earn high performance ratings

The master-planned community of Summerlin is home to six five-star public schools as rated by the Clark County School District's 2012 School Performance Framework.

The rating system evaluates academic performance/growth, enrollments/graduation rates and overall school environment.

Six of Summerlin's 12 public schools received the five-star rating, three schools received four stars and three schools received three stars; meaning every public school in Summerlin received at least three stars and half received the highest rating possible.

"This report confirms what we've long suspected - that Summerlin public schools rank exceptionally well," said Kevin Orrock, executive vice president of master-planned communities for The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin. "From the community's inception, schools have played a major role in helping to create a sense of community and The Howard Hughes Corp. made school development a priority. We helped fund a break-the-mold design for Summerlin's first public school, Lummis Elementary School, and through the Summerlin Children's Forum, we provided additional funding to further enrich the school experience and granted college scholarships to high-achieving students in our community."

Summerlin's newest school, West Career and Technical Academy is one of Summerlin's five-star rated schools. The school is the only one in the Clark County School District with a Google Pilot program that allows students to create an electronic portfolio, use Google Apps and maintain a Google calendar for class and homework.

"The Google program accompanied with a student Wi-Fi system with near one-to-one computer access allows for a highly technology-integrated learning environment," West CTA principal Monte Bay said.

West CTA also boasts Nevada's only active biological field station, which allows students to work alongside scientists on campus.

"This type of project-based learning far surpasses textbook reading," Bay said. "Learning comes alive through scientific field studies, real-world scenarios and field trips - making school fun and exciting for our students."

Sig Rogich Middle School received a four-star rating and was one of few middle schools to reach the adequate yearly progress districtwide testing goals.

Rogich boasts active and successful athletic programs. The school's cheerleaders are the 2012 USA Vegas Classic champions and 2012 Nevada USA Open champions; the dance team is the 2012 Las Vegas Middle School Classic champions and the boys basketball team is the Southwest Division 1 League champions.

Rogich is also home to an accomplished performing arts department and philanthropy-minded students, who donated more than 4,000 canned food items to the Salvation Army before the 2011 holiday season.

"It's so easy to brag about our schools given the many academic, cultural, athletic and philanthropic accomplishments they share," Orrock said. "We credit the dedicated teachers, administrators and parents in our community who value and encourage educational growth. We're so proud of our Summerlin schools and appreciate everyone who contributes to the educational vibrancy of our community, including our young residents who attend school in Summerlin."

To see a complete list of Summerlin's 12 public schools and 14 private schools, visit www.summerlin.com.

For more information on the CCSD School Performance Framework ratings, visit www.ccsd.net.

Summerlin began to take shape in 1990. For the past two decades national and regional studies have ranked it in the country's top 10 best-selling master-planned communities.

Summerlin, located along the Las Vegas Valley's western rim, encompasses 22,500 acres with about 7,500 acres still remaining to accommodate future growth within the master plan. The community is home to nearly 100,000 residents.

Amenities include more than 150 neighborhood and village parks, more than 150 completed miles of the Summerlin Trail System, 26 public and private schools, 14 houses of worship, nine golf courses, shopping centers, medical and cultural facilities and business parks.

For more information on Summerlin, visit www.summerlin.com or www.facebook.com/summerlinlv.