More charter school options on the horizon for Las Vegas families

By Hillary Davis
Published in Las Vegas Sun on March 22, 2022

As founding principal of Cactus Park Elementary, Karli Casto is leading the extensive remodeling and landscaping of a former indoor swap meet at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Pecos Road to become a schoolhouse.

There will be a namesake cactus garden, another garden where the kids will plant fruits, vegetables and herbs, and living quarters for goats and chickens.

Casto said the pandemic gave people the time and circumstances to reassess the education priorities of their children. The families that have connected to Cactus Park so far — about 125 students have applied since December — want a change, she said.

Cactus Park is one of seven new charter schools planning to open in August in the Las Vegas Valley, potentially giving up to 3,100 students a different education option.

“They might say, ‘I feel like I’m looking for something different,’ or ‘I want to work somewhere where my wellness is valued,’” Casto said. “With students and families, the same thing — they had time to say, ‘What is it that’s really important? And can I find that?’ ”

According to the Nevada State Public Charter School Authority, roughly 50,000 Southern Nevada students combined this year to attend 60 charter schools, which are tuition-free, public institutions that are publicly funded and privately operated with state oversight. Charter schools are open to all children — regardless of ZIP code — and often provide smaller class sizes, and areas of concentration such as science and art.