The Henderson International School Announces Consolidation of Campuses, Closing of High School

News provided by

Feb 26, 2010, 07:15 ET

HENDERSON, Nev., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Henderson International School (Henderson), which currently operates three campuses that serve students from preschool through 12th grade, announced today a restructuring of its academic programming and consolidation of its facilities.

Effective at the conclusion of the 2009/2010 school year, Henderson will no longer operate a high school and will close both its Sandy Ridge campus (1165 Sandy Ridge Ave) and Windmill campus (2150 Windmill Parkway). All preschool through eighth grade activities will be merged onto its Sunridge campus (1051 Sandy Ridge Avenue). Head of Schools Brian Siegel informed Henderson faculty and parents of this decision today.

The extreme economic challenges facing Las Vegas – including record number of foreclosures, high unemployment, and relocation of many families out of the area – have taken their toll on many Henderson families and also resulted in lower demand for this private high school. Despite significant investments in academic programming and state-of-the-art facilities (including new high school buildings and athletic facilities) at the Sandy Ridge campus, the Henderson high school has been operating at a loss (including more than $1 million this year alone) and an increasing number of families are unable to make full tuition payments. With annual population growth in the area declining over the past two years, it became clear that Henderson's high school could not be self sustaining.

"Despite years of intense efforts to raise enrollment and improve operations, the serious economic challenges facing our community have taken their toll," said Siegel. "While closing the high school was a very difficult decision, and only made after other options were fully explored, doing so returns our school to financial health and allows us greater resources and focus to provide our preschool through eighth grade students with the area's finest academic experience."

With the well-being of affected students, faculty and families top of mind, Henderson is implementing a comprehensive transition plan. For example, Henderson has already reached out to area high schools in order to begin securing placement for its affected students. In addition, affected faculty will be offered severance as well as career transition services. Current school year academic programs, athletics and other extracurricular activities will not be affected by this decision and will continue as planned.

Through the consolidation of all preschool through eighth grade activities at Henderson's Sunridge campus, the school will offer an environment dedicated to providing students with an enriched academic experience. With more focused resources, the Sunridge campus will offer its preschool through eighth grade students:

Intimate classroom experiences with low student-to-teacher ratios (no larger than 20:1 this upcoming year);
Enhancing our personalized approach to each student's education;
Dedicated teachers who are highly skilled and receive regular professional training;
Improvements to the library, including a wider collection of books and educational resources; and,
Upgraded technology offerings in both the classroom and common areas.

"This was undoubtedly a very painful decision. Yet while the composition of our school is changing, our core focus isn't," concluded Siegel. "Taking these actions allows us to focus our energies and resources on our core mission -- teaching students to think critically and creatively, to question with confidence, and to act with conviction."

Enrollment for the 2010/2011 school year will begin the week of March 8, 2010. Current students will receive first priority, with open enrollment beginning March 22, 2010.