August 18, 2025

Las Vegas Opens WYLEES Middle School in Former Macy’s

News Summary

Las Vegas has inaugurated WYLEES Middle School, a charter school focusing on project-based learning for grades 6-8, located in the renovated former Macy’s at Boulevard Mall. The 46,000 square-foot facility includes 22 classrooms and aims to foster an innovative educational environment. Currently enrolling 210 students, the school plans to reach 500 students in five years and offers hands-on learning experiences. WYLEES emphasizes safety, efficient protocols, and a unique four-day school week, promoting both academic engagement and community involvement.

Las Vegas Transforms Former Macy’s into WYLEES Middle School, Promoting Project-Based Learning for Grades 6-8

Las Vegas has officially opened the WYLEES Middle School, a charter institution focused on project-based learning for students in grades 6 through 8. Located in the newly renovated former Macy’s department store at the Boulevard Mall, at the intersection of Maryland Parkway and Twain Avenue, the school welcomed its first students in August 2025.

With a total area of 46,000 square feet, the facility features 22 classrooms, administrative offices, and a cafeteria aimed at enhancing the educational experience. Controlled entry through side doors leads students to secure access points, with the option of stairs and elevators to navigate between floors, ensuring student safety. Currently, enrollment stands at approximately 210 students, with 60 spots still available, giving families a chance to join this innovative educational environment.

Operational plans include reaching a goal of 500 students within five years. Future improvements for the campus involve creating a designated parent drop-off and pickup zone, alongside the construction of a footbridge to connect the play yard to the classroom building. The school is committed to efficient safety protocols, managing access to ensure that students do not enter or exit through the mall itself.

WYLEES Middle School, founded by Mike Taack, emphasizes an educational approach centered around project-based learning. This method prioritizes hands-on experiences and civic engagement, allowing students to explore real-world concepts. For instance, students are engaging in food production initiatives by starting seeds in repurposed water bottles, with plans to implement a hydroponic garden wall in the future.

Initially, the school is providing students with free sack lunches until kitchen equipment is fully installed. Additionally, a designated room is set to become a library pending the acquisition of books through grant funding. Innovative features planned include small glass-walled rooms that could serve as podcast studios, further enriching the school’s curriculum with relevant applications.

To enhance the educational experience, WYLEES plans to introduce a four-day school week, with extended hours from Monday to Thursday. Fridays will be reserved as office days for teachers to collaborate and prepare lesson plans. This structure aims to optimize both teaching effectiveness and student engagement.

Originally a retail space, the former Macy’s still displays its vintage facade, a nod to its past while evolving into an educational facility. The space has been retrofitted to accommodate not only the school but also offices for various businesses, including a staffing agency and an insurance company. This blend of education and business aims to create a community-oriented environment conducive to learning and engagement.

Families within the community have expressed interest in the possibility of expanding WYLEES to include high school grades in the future, indicating a demand for sustained educational continuity. The focus on integrated project-based learning serves to enhance students’ knowledge retention while also fostering a relevant and engaging learning atmosphere.

As WYLEES Middle School prepares to fully realize its potential, it remains committed to nurturing young adolescents during a critical developmental stage, guiding them from childhood to adulthood with a robust, engaged educational framework.

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