Finding the Right Private School In Las Vegas

From Summerlin to Henderson to Southern Highlands, here Is what families should know about Las Vegas Private Schools, academics, tuition, location, and finding the right fit.

For families relocating to Las Vegas, schools are often one of the first questions I hear, sometimes before we ever talk seriously about the house.

And that makes sense.

A beautiful home isn’t particularly useful if you’ve chosen a location that makes your family’s daily life unnecessarily difficult.

Las Vegas has grown tremendously over the last several decades, and so have the educational choices available to families. The valley now offers independent college-preparatory schools, Catholic and other faith-based schools, Montessori education, specialized academic programs and private schools serving children from preschool all the way through high school.

The important thing to understand is that there isn’t one “best private school in Las Vegas.”

There is a best fit for your child and your family.

Academic philosophy, class size, athletics, arts, religious affiliation, tuition, admissions requirements and even where you plan to live can all change that answer.

So rather than ranking them, here are some of the private schools Las Vegas and Henderson families may want to explore.

The Meadows School — Las Vegas

The Meadows School is one of the best-known independent college-preparatory schools in Las Vegas and serves students from preschool through 12th grade at its Scholar Lane campus.

The school reports enrollment of 1,020 students for 2026–27, a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, 75% of faculty holding advanced degrees and an average SAT score of 1410. It describes its program as academically rigorous while also offering athletics, arts, speech and debate and other extracurricular opportunities. 

For the 2026–27 school year, published tuition ranges from $24,350 for Beginning School to $36,590 for Upper School, with financial assistance available. 

Good to explore if: Your family is looking for a nonsectarian PK–12 environment with a particularly strong college-preparatory focus.

The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain — Summerlin

The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain is an independent, nonsectarian school serving early childhood through eighth grade in the Summerlin area.

For families considering West Summerlin, The Ridges, The Summit, Red Rock Country Club or surrounding communities, Dawson’s location can be an important practical consideration.

Its 2026–27 tuition is $23,200 for Early Childhood and $32,500 for kindergarten through eighth grade. Dawson uses a bundled tuition model that includes items such as technology, lunch, books, classroom supplies and before-care, and the school offers need-based tuition assistance. 

Good to explore if: You’re looking for an independent Early Childhood–8 education and plan to live on the western side of the valley.

The Adelson School — Summerlin

The Adelson School is an independent Jewish community day school serving early childhood through 12th grade on Hillpointe Road in Summerlin.

That PK–12 continuity can be attractive to families who would prefer not to change schools between elementary, middle and high school. The school combines academics with Jewish identity and community and has facilities supporting athletics, arts and STEM/robotics.

One thing relocating families should know: admissions can be competitive and timing matters. Applications for the 2026–27 year are already closed, with the school indicating that 2027–28 applications will open later. 

Good to explore if: Your family is seeking a Jewish day-school environment with a complete early-childhood-through-high-school pathway.

Bishop Gorman High School — Southwest Las Vegas

For high school families, Bishop Gorman High School is probably one of the names you’ll hear quickly after moving to Las Vegas.

Bishop Gorman is a Catholic college-preparatory high school serving grades 9–12 and has been part of Las Vegas for more than 70 years. It is particularly well known for athletics, but its academic, fine arts and extracurricular programs are an equally important part of the campus. 

For 2026–27, regular tuition is $16,800, with a $15,400 Catholic parishioner rate for qualifying families. The school offers need-based tuition assistance but does not offer academic or athletic scholarships. 

Good to explore if: You’re looking specifically for a Catholic high school with substantial athletics, arts and college-preparatory programming.

Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School — West Las Vegas

Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School is a Christian college-preparatory school serving grades 6–12 on South Hualapai Way.

It offers traditional academics alongside athletics, fine arts and multiple specialized academic pathways. Faith also has academic-support programs, including accommodation plans, a testing center and its Mark 10:14 program for qualifying students with special needs. 

Published tuition for 2026–27 is $17,100. 

For younger children, Faith Community Lutheran Academy serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Summerlin.

Good to explore if: A Christian education, substantial extracurricular programming and a west-side location are priorities.

Las Vegas Day School — Central/West Las Vegas

Las Vegas Day School has been educating Las Vegas children since 1961 and serves preschool through eighth grade.

It’s nonsectarian and follows a more traditional academic model, with instruction that also includes science, technology, Spanish, music, art and physical education. Elementary classes are capped at 20 students with a teacher and aide, according to the school. 

For 2026–27, published tuition ranges from $16,400 for five-day preschool to $22,150 for grades 6–8, with separate registration, supply and other applicable fees. 

Good to explore if: You’re looking for a long-established, nonreligious preschool–8th grade option with a traditional academic structure.

Henderson International School — Henderson

Families relocating to Henderson should know about Henderson International School.

The independent, nonsectarian school serves preschool through eighth grade and emphasizes small classes, an accelerated curriculum, Spanish exposure and STEAM-oriented learning as students progress through the program.

For 2026–27, tuition ranges from $18,300 for preschool and pre-K to $25,600 for eighth grade. Its tuition is relatively inclusive: books, school supplies, iPads/e-resources, field trips, sports, musical instruments and a number of other activities are included. 

Its Henderson location can make it particularly worth investigating for families considering communities such as MacDonald Highlands, Ascaya, Seven Hills, Anthem or Inspirada.

Good to explore if: You’re moving to Henderson and want a nonsectarian private-school option through eighth grade.

Southern Highlands Preparatory School — Southern Highlands

Southern Highlands Preparatory School of Las Vegas is a private, nonsectarian K–8 school located directly in the Southern Highlands area.

Its program emphasizes core academics, problem-solving, creativity, technology and character development, with small-class personalized support among the features promoted by the school. 

For 2026–27, annual tuition is $19,690 for K–5 and $19,790 for grades 6–8, before applicable fees. 

This is another example of why I tell relocating families to consider school and home searches together. If Southern Highlands is already high on your residential list, having a private K–8 option within the community can materially change the daily routine.

Good to explore if: Southern Highlands is where you want to live and you’re seeking a private K–8 education close to home.

Challenger School — Multiple Las Vegas Locations

Challenger School - Summerlin is part of a larger network with several campuses throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Challenger currently lists four Southern Nevada locations: Summerlin, Silverado, Desert Hills and Los Prados. Programs vary by campus; Summerlin and Silverado serve preschool through eighth grade, Desert Hills through fifth grade and Los Prados through first grade. 

That geographic flexibility is noteworthy because parents may be able to consider several parts of the valley without automatically giving up the school system they’re interested in.

Good to explore if: You like Challenger’s academic approach but haven’t decided which part of Las Vegas you want to call home.

Foothills Montessori School — Henderson

Foothills Montessori School offers another type of educational environment altogether.

Located in Henderson near the Green Valley/Black Mountain area, it serves children roughly from preschool through eighth grade and follows a Montessori approach emphasizing independence, academic development, community and global awareness.

Good to explore if: Montessori education is important to your family and Henderson is part of your home search.

American Heritage Academy — Henderson

American Heritage Academy is a private Christian school serving Pre-K through 12th grade in Henderson.

Its educational philosophy is explicitly faith-based and organized around faith, patriotism and leadership. The campus includes athletic fields, tennis courts, a performing-arts theater and an outdoor amphitheater.

Good to explore if: You want a Christian Pre-K–12 pathway and prefer Henderson.

Lake Mead Christian Academy — Henderson

Lake Mead Christian Academy South Campus (Elementary, Lower Middle School) and Lake Mead Christian Academy North Campus (Upper Middle School & High School) together provide a Christian educational pathway extending through high school in Henderson.

The secondary program is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International, and the high school participates in NIAA athletics.

Good to explore if: You’re seeking a Christian education in Henderson with the ability to continue into high school.

Choosing a School Before Choosing a Las Vegas Home

This is the part I think gets overlooked in relocation.

On a map, Las Vegas can look deceptively easy to navigate. But school drop-off at 7:45 in the morning followed by work, practice, activities and another pickup later in the day can make location matter very quickly.

If a family tells me that The Meadows is a serious priority, I’m going to look at their home search differently than I would for a family committed to Bishop Gorman or Henderson International.

That’s why I encourage relocating families to think about school and real estate together.

Some of the questions worth asking before choosing either include:

• What grade levels do you need now — and five years from now?

• Do you want secular or faith-based education?

• How important are athletics, arts, STEM or academic rigor?

• Does your child need specific learning support?

• How far are you genuinely willing to drive twice a day?

• Are siblings likely to attend the same school?

• What does tuition actually include beyond the published base price?

• When are applications due, and is space currently available?

And most importantly: visit the school yourself.

Statistics and rankings can help create a shortlist. They can’t tell you how your child feels when they walk onto a campus.

Private Schools and Relocating to Las Vegas

One of the advantages of relocating to Las Vegas today is that families have far more educational choices than outsiders sometimes realize.

Summerlin, Henderson, Southern Highlands and the rest of the valley each offer different combinations of private schools, public schools, charter schools and specialized programs.

For my relocating clients, particularly families moving from California, New York, Washington and other major markets, I often recommend beginning the school conversation before narrowing the home search too aggressively.

Because finding the right house is important.

Finding the right place for your family to build a life around it is even more important.

Relocating to Las Vegas?

If you’re trying to understand how Las Vegas schools, commute times and neighborhoods fit together, I can help you approach the home search geographically — from Summerlin and Henderson to Southern Highlands and beyond.

Kristen Riffle
Las Vegas Luxury Real Estate & Relocation
KristenRiffle.com

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