District renews charter for Rainbow Dreams Academy

Rainbow Dreams Academy received a six-year contract renewal Thursday from Clark County School Board members, who unanimously agreed to continue sponsoring the K-5 charter school serving predominately black students in West Las Vegas.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” said board member Linda Young, who represents the area, near Interstate 15 and Lake Mead Boulevard, served by Rainbow Academy.

Charter schools are run by private organizations but don’t charge tuition because they still are public and rely on tax dollars for funding.

Charter schools must receive approval from either a district or the state and meet the same state-mandated reporting requirements as other public schools.

With more than 240 students, Rainbow is at capacity at its current location. It opened in 2007 as a K-2 school with 50 students, said Billie Rayford, the school’s compliance director.

It must now hold raffles for new students.

School Board members praised Rainbow leaders for putting students on the right track.

Rainbow students outperform district students in math and reading, according to state tests.

Writing needs work, noted Board President Carolyn Edwards, who expressed optimism about Rainbow’s plans to improve.

“You constantly ask students, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ ” said Young, adding the question can have a dramatic effect on students. “When you respect the children, they respect you.”

Contact reporter Trevon Milliard at tmilliard@review journal.com or 702-383-0279.