Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

What are charter schools?

Charter schools are free public schools as defined in federal and state statutes. Nevada adopted charter legislation during the 1997 legislative session. SNACS applied and was approved in 1998, and opened doors in 1999 as the first K-8 charter school in Nevada.

Does it cost money?

No. Charter schools are free public schools, which means it is tuition-free. Anyone can attend for free.

How do I enroll?

Enrollment is easy. There are a few simple forms you complete.

First, we want to meet you and share our school with you. SNACS provides personalized tours for all prospective families. Please contact the front office to schedule a tour at (775) 677-4500 to schedule a tour or contact us through our website. We are working on a virtual tour in response to COVID-19.

Enrollment applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and conduct an annual lottery for openings with a waiting list to fill positions in all classrooms.

What is Personalized Learning?

Personalized Learning when learning is differentiated (based on abilities) and individualized (based on preferences and interests). All SNACS students have a Personalized Learning Plan which is created using data, teacher, parent, and student input. Data is monitored to ensure growth throughout the year. Teachers design instruction based on PLPs and provide learning opportunities based on ability and interests by using choice and PLAY®.

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How does PLAY® and choice work?

PLAY® stands for Promoting Learning and Accountability for Young children/Youth. At SNACS students make choices where and when they learn through play. Choice promotes students’ responsibility for education. PLAY® promotes engagement and achievement.

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Resources

Charter School Association of Nevada

“The Association was founded in 2008 by leaders in the charter school community for the charitable and educational purpose to provide awareness, development, and resources to the general public and the charter schools in Nevada that currently have over 10,000 students enrolled.

The Association developed a mission grounded in an ideology to structure awareness of public school choice through a fundamental principle that public charter schools are independent schools that have the freedom to be more innovative in exchange for higher accountability to increase student achievement.

The Association works with various constituencies and stakeholder groups, including public charter schools, parents, teachers, school board members, school administrators, community-based organizations, and public agencies to effectively organize, promote, advocate, inspire, and support Nevada’s public charter schools and the broader community looking for a choice in public schools.”

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National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (National Alliance) is the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the public charter school movement. Our mission is to lead public education to unprecedented levels of academic achievement by fostering a strong charter movement.

Why We Exist

When given the option, parents increasingly are choosing to enroll their children in public charter schools. In most communities, the demand for charter schools is far outpacing the supply. What began as a small movement in a couple of states has grown into a major force in education reform. Today there are over 6,700 charter schools in 43 states and Washington, D.C., educating nearly 3 million students. By 2020, we expect that 10,000 high-quality charter schools will serve over four million students, and over 200 communities will show their support for charter schools by growing their enrollment share to 10 percent or higher.

What We Do

In order to support the growth of a high-quality charter school community, we work to:

Fuel the growth of high-quality public charter schools by advocating for increased public funding of charter schools;
Shape federal and state policy to create the climate in which high-quality charter schools can grow; and
Improve the overall health and perception of the movement in order to increase our influence with policymakers.

The National Alliance speaks and advocates for the millions of students attending and hoping to attend a charter school. Through our advocacy efforts at the federal and state level, our legal activities, our research, and our national communications work, we ensure lawmakers, the media, opinion-shapers, public charter school leaders, thought leaders, and the general public understand what charter schools are, the promise they hold for our children, and how best to promote the growth of high-quality, innovative schools nationwide.”

The National Alliance occupies a critical role in the charter movement: as a leader in federal education policy, as a major supporting force to improve state charter policy and advocacy, and as a prominent national voice in the policy and public discourse on public charter schools.

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