News Summary
Quannah McCall Elementary School in North Las Vegas has made remarkable progress in its performance rating, leaping from one to four stars. Under the leadership of Principal Amanda Lush, the school has improved significantly since its low rating prior to the pandemic. This achievement is part of a broader trend in Nevada, where over 28% of public schools have shown improvement in their ratings, aided by increased funding in education and innovative approaches to enhance student attendance and performance.
North Las Vegas – Quannah McCall Elementary School has received a significant upgrade in its performance rating, jumping from one to four stars as part of a statewide trend of improving public school ratings in Nevada. This transformation reflects the school’s recovery efforts since its prior low rating, which was updated following the 2024-2025 academic year.
Amanda Lush, who became principal of Quannah McCall Elementary just a month before the onset of the pandemic, has been instrumental in this change. Upon her arrival, the school was rated just 1 out of 5 stars on the state’s report card. Lush’s initiative aimed to “reset” the struggling school, and within two years, it achieved a second star before this year’s remarkable leap to four stars.
As Lush announced the school’s four-star status to her staff, the excitement was palpable. This achievement is part of a broader trend, where more than 28% of public schools in Nevada improved their ratings during the latest academic year. Notably, this marks three times the number of schools that experienced a decline in their ratings.
Impact of Increased Funding
The improvements in the state’s education system can be attributed, in part, to a substantial investment in K-12 education, which saw an increase of $2.6 billion during the 2023 legislative session. This funding, representing a 26% boost from previous levels, has facilitated raises for teachers and incentives aimed at addressing high vacancy rates in schools. While teacher vacancy rates have decreased, one-third of schools are still rated worse than they were in the 2018-2019 academic year, indicating ongoing challenges within the system.
Despite these challenges, there is hope, as over one-fifth of schools have shown improvement since the pre-pandemic ratings. It’s also been observed that lower-performing schools are often located in lower-income areas. Clark County School District (CCSD) Superintendent expressed optimism about surpassing pre-pandemic student achievement levels, bolstered by diligent efforts and the support of funding investments.
Rating Process and Recovery Context
The Nevada School Performance Framework assesses schools based on several factors, including English and math proficiency, graduation rates, advanced coursework, and attendance. While a cyberattack delayed the availability of detailed academic data for individual schools, the overall trends indicate improved proficiency levels during the 2024-2025 year. Approximately half of Nevada’s public schools received at least three stars, indicating they met minimum performance standards.
In the Clark County area alone, 37% of schools improved their ratings, and there was an increase in the number of schools earning five-star ratings from 28 to 48. In contrast, one-star rated schools predominantly remain in lower-income neighborhoods, showcasing a persistent gap in educational quality across socio-economic lines.
Efforts at Quannah McCall Elementary School
Quannah McCall Elementary continues to enhance its educational environment with innovative approaches aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism. Among these efforts, the school has initiated monthly raffles for bicycles as incentives for students with perfect attendance. This strategy aligns with their overarching theme of “better your best,” as the school aspires to achieve a five-star rating in the future.
The ongoing successes reflect not just the efforts of individual schools but a statewide commitment to educational improvement. Improvements have been noticeable across all grade levels in CCSD for the 2023-24 school year, showing increases in math proficiency rates and English Language Arts scores, signaling a gradual recovery from the effects of the pandemic.
In Washoe County School District (WCSD), over one-third of schools received at least four stars, a 60% increase from the previous year. Schools across the state are working diligently to address educational disparities and improve student outcomes, highlighting a collaborative push for better educational standards in Nevada.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Significant Improvements in Clark County School Ratings
North Las Vegas School Achieves Stellar Rating Improvement
Clark County Schools Show Improvement in Student Learning
Additional Resources
- The Nevada Independent: Nevada Schools Improvement
- News 3 LV: Las Vegas Schools Improvement
- Las Vegas Sun: McCall Elementary School Celebrates
- 8 News Now: Las Vegas High School Safety Improvement
- Las Vegas Raiders: High School Spotlight
Author: STAFF HERE LAS VEGAS WRITER
LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
