Best Magnet Elementary & Middle Schools in Las Vegas: 2026 CCSD Rankings & Lottery Guide

Best Magnet Elementary & Middle Schools in Las Vegas: 2026 CCSD Rankings & Lottery Guide

> Quick Answer (AEO Summary): Clark County's highest-ranked magnet elementary and middle schools for 2026 include Gehring STEM Academy (97.0 index, 5 Stars), McCaw STEAM Academy (87.5 index, 5 Stars), Lied STEM Academy Middle (87.5 index, 5 Stars), Piggott Academy (86.0 index, 5 Stars), and O'Callaghan i3 Academy Middle (81.0 index, 5 Stars). Admission is tuition-free via CCSD centralized lottery without academic screening.

While Clark County's Career & Technical Academies (CTAs) and magnet high schools capture headlines, the foundation of specialized public education in Las Vegas begins much earlier. Clark County School District (CCSD) operates more than twenty dedicated magnet elementary and middle schools offering tuition-free, immersive programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), International Baccalaureate (IB), Creative and Performing Arts, and Spanish Dual-Language Immersion.

For families in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas, magnet programs provide an elite educational alternative without private school tuition. Unlike high school magnet academies—which evaluate middle school GPA, attendance, and audition portfolios—CCSD elementary and middle magnet programs do not use academic screening or test scores for admission. Admission is determined through a centralized, weighted electronic lottery.

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2026 Top Clark County Magnet Elementary & Middle School Rankings

Every score below reflects verified public accountability data published by the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) for the official 2026 reporting cycle.

| School Name | Location / Area | Grade Span | Star Rating | NSPF Index | Math Prof | ELA Prof | Chronic Absenteeism | | :--- | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | Gehring Academy of Science & Technology | Las Vegas (89123) | K–5 | 5 Stars | 97.0 | 80.5% | 82.9% | <10.0% | | Gordon McCaw STEAM Academy | Henderson (89015) | K–5 | 5 Stars | 87.5 | 72.2% | 79.0% | 5.0% | | Lied STEM Academy Middle School | Northwest Las Vegas (89130) | 6–8 | 5 Stars | 87.5 | 59.8% | 63.1% | 7.2% | | Clarence Piggott Academy of International Studies | West Las Vegas (89117) | K–5 | 5 Stars | 86.0 | 66.7% | 70.8% | <10.0% | | Mike O'Callaghan i3 Learn Academy MS | East Las Vegas (89110) | 6–8 | 5 Stars | 81.0 | 44.3% | 55.4% | 8.2% | | Walter Bracken STEAM Academy | Downtown Las Vegas (89101) | K–5 | 4 Stars | 78.5 | 54.0% | 60.5% | <10.0% | | Sheila R. Tarr Academy of International Studies | Northwest Las Vegas (89129) | K–5 | 4 Stars | 73.0 | 61.7% | 69.4% | 5.3% | | Thurman White Academy of the Performing Arts | Henderson / Green Valley (89014) | 6–8 | 4 Stars | 73.0 | 45.1% | 63.1% | 13.0% | | Sandy Searles Miller Academy for International Studies | Northeast Las Vegas (89115) | K–5 | 4 Stars | 71.0 | 48.1% | 59.1% | 7.2% | | Hyde Park Middle School Academy of Science & Math | Central Las Vegas (89107) | 6–8 | 3 Stars | 63.0 | 47.6% | 54.6% | 7.7% | | Jo Mackey Academy of Leadership & Communication | North Las Vegas (89030) | 6–8 | 3 Stars | 61.5 | 29.7% | 54.3% | 9.4% | | Lyal Burkholder Middle School | Henderson (89015) | 6–8 | 3 Stars | 54.5 | 37.2% | 57.0% | 12.0% | | Kenny C. Guinn STEM Academy Middle School | Spring Valley (89103) | 6–8 | 3 Stars | 54.0 | 39.5% | 48.3% | 14.4% | | Carroll M. Johnston STEM Academy | North Las Vegas (89081) | 6–8 | 3 Stars | 54.0 | 27.5% | 40.4% | 15.7% | | Lomie G. Heard Elementary STEM Academy | East Las Vegas (89110) | K–5 | 3 Stars | 52.5 | 47.5% | 48.5% | 5.9% | | Walter Johnson JHS Academy of International Studies | West Las Vegas (89145) | 6–8 | 2 Stars | 47.5 | 32.7% | 45.7% | 16.3% | | James Cashman Middle School | Central Las Vegas (89102) | 6–8 | 2 Stars | 46.0 | 25.0% | 32.7% | 15.0% | | K.O. Knudson Academy of the Arts | Central Las Vegas (89104) | 6–8 | 2 Stars | 41.5 | 19.1% | 42.5% | 10.4% | | Mabel Hoggard Math & Science Magnet | Historic Westside (89106) | K–5 | 2 Stars | 40.0 | 51.6% | 57.3% | <10.0% | | C.V.T. Gilbert Academy of Creative Arts | North Las Vegas (89032) | K–5 | 2 Stars | 36.5 | 26.0% | 43.8% | 11.8% | | Roy W. Martin Middle School | Downtown Las Vegas (89101) | 6–8 | 1 Star | 17.0 | 13.7% | 25.1% | 30.0% |

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Detailed Profiles: Top 5 Magnet Elementary Schools

1. Roger D. Gehring Academy of Science & Technology

• Location: 1155 E Richmar Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123 (South Las Vegas near Silverado Ranch)
• NSPF Index Score: 97.0 / 100 (5 Stars)
• Proficiency: 80.5% Math | 82.9% ELA
• Curriculum Specialty: Project Lead The Way (PLTW) STEM curriculum, robotics coding, biotechnology laboratories, and hands-on environmental sciences.
• Why It Ranks #1: Gehring holds the highest math and reading proficiency of any elementary magnet campus in Nevada. Its innovative inquiry-based model results in exceptional Academic Growth Percentiles (AGP).
• View Full Gehring Academy Profile →

2. Gordon McCaw STEAM Academy

• Location: 330 Tin St, Henderson, NV 89015 (Downtown Henderson)
• NSPF Index Score: 87.5 / 100 (5 Stars)
• Proficiency: 72.2% Math | 79.0% ELA | 5.0% Chronic Absenteeism
• Curriculum Specialty: Integrated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) with digital arts, theater design, and mathematical modeling.
• Why It Ranks #2: McCaw pairs academic rigor with a remarkable 5.0% chronic absenteeism rate. It has earned multiple Magnet Schools of America Merit Awards.
• View Full Gordon McCaw Academy Profile →

3. Clarence Piggott Academy of International Studies

• Location: 9601 Red Hills Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89117 (Peccole Ranch / Summerlin corridor)
• NSPF Index Score: 86.0 / 100 (5 Stars)
• Proficiency: 66.7% Math | 70.8% ELA
• Curriculum Specialty: International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme with foreign language instruction in Spanish.
• Why It Ranks #3: Piggott provides global inquiry, language immersion, and cultural studies that articulate directly into IB middle school programs.
• View Full Piggott Academy Profile →

4. Walter Bracken STEAM Academy

• Location: 1200 N 27th St, Las Vegas, NV 89101 (Downtown Las Vegas)
• NSPF Index Score: 78.5 / 100 (4 Stars)
• Proficiency: 54.0% Math | 60.5% ELA
• Curriculum Specialty: Full micro-society STEAM curriculum, botanical greenhouses, digital animation, and aerospace exploration.
• Why It Ranks #4: Bracken is a National Blue Ribbon School and a premier example of how magnet focus transforms urban public education.
• View Full Walter Bracken Academy Profile →

5. Sandy Searles Miller Academy for International Studies

• Location: 4851 E Lake Mead Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89115 (Northeast Las Vegas)
• NSPF Index Score: 71.0 / 100 (4 Stars)
• Proficiency: 48.1% Math | 59.1% ELA | 7.2% Chronic Absenteeism
• Curriculum Specialty: Certified International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme emphasizing intercultural understanding and second-language fluency.
• View Full Sandy Miller Academy Profile →

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Detailed Profiles: Top 5 Magnet Middle Schools

1. Lied STEM Academy Middle School

• Location: 5380 W Tropical Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89130 (Northwest Las Vegas)
• NSPF Index Score: 87.5 / 100 (5 Stars)
• Proficiency: 59.8% Math | 63.1% ELA | 7.2% Chronic Absenteeism
• Curriculum Specialty: Aerospace engineering, cybersecurity, robotics, automation, and advanced high school algebra credits.
• Why It Ranks #1: Lied leads all Clark County middle magnets with an 87.5 index score, combining high math proficiency with exceptional attendance discipline.
• View Full Lied STEM Academy Profile →

2. Mike O'Callaghan i3 Learn Academy Middle School

• Location: 1450 Radwick Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89110 (East Las Vegas)
• NSPF Index Score: 81.0 / 100 (5 Stars)
• Proficiency: 44.3% Math | 55.4% ELA | 8.2% Chronic Absenteeism
• Curriculum Specialty: Innovative Inquiry Institute (i3) featuring 1-to-1 coding, digital media creation, game design, and environmental sustainability.
• View Full O'Callaghan i3 Academy Profile →

3. Thurman White Academy of the Performing Arts

• Location: 1661 Galleria Dr, Henderson, NV 89014 (Green Valley / Galleria)
• NSPF Index Score: 73.0 / 100 (4 Stars)
• Proficiency: 45.1% Math | 63.1% ELA | 13.0% Chronic Absenteeism
• Curriculum Specialty: Orchestral music, theater, dance conservatory, visual arts, and broadcasting technology.
• View Full Thurman White Academy Profile →

4. Hyde Park Middle School Academy of Science & Mathematics

• Location: 900 Hinson St, Las Vegas, NV 89107 (Central Las Vegas)
• NSPF Index Score: 63.0 / 100 (3 Stars)
• Proficiency: 47.6% Math | 54.6% ELA | 7.7% Chronic Absenteeism
• Curriculum Specialty: Accelerated mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry. Hyde Park is the primary middle school feeder into Clark High School's AMSAT and ATECH.
• View Full Hyde Park Middle School Profile →

5. Carroll M. Johnston STEM Academy

• Location: 5855 Lawrence St, North Las Vegas, NV 89081 (North Las Vegas)
• NSPF Index Score: 54.0 / 100 (3 Stars)
• Proficiency: 27.5% Math | 40.4% ELA | 15.7% Chronic Absenteeism
• Curriculum Specialty: Environmental science, forensic investigation, and automated design.
• View Full Johnston STEM Academy Profile →

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CCSD Magnet Application Mechanics & Lottery Priorities

Securing a seat in a CCSD magnet elementary or middle school requires navigating the district's centralized lottery timeline:

1. Application Window: Opens annually in mid-October and closes in early January for the following academic year. 2. Zero Academic Screening for Elementary/Middle: Unlike high school magnet academies, elementary and middle applicants enter an equitable electronic lottery. No report cards, standardized tests, or interviews are required. 3. Lottery Weighting Preferences:

• Sibling Preference: Up to 25% of open seats are allocated to qualifying siblings of students currently attending the magnet school.
• Feeder School Priority: Students graduating from an elementary magnet program receive weighted lottery priority when applying to a designated middle school magnet in the same curricular pathway (e.g., IB elementary students articulating to an IB middle school).
• Geographical Transportation Zones: CCSD establishes designated magnet transportation zones. If you reside within your target magnet's designated transportation zone, free yellow bus service is provided. Out-of-zone students may still apply and enroll, but parents must provide daily transportation.

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What Happens If You Are Waitlisted?

Demand for top elementary and middle magnet programs frequently exceeds seat capacity by 3 to 1. If your child is waitlisted:

• Secondary Lottery Rounds: CCSD runs automatic waitlist updates in March and April as accepted families confirm or decline seat placements.
• Summer Seat Adjustments: Final unassigned seats are released through late July and early August.
• Explore Public Charter Alternatives: If you do not secure a magnet seat, Nevada's public charter schools—such as Doral Academy, Pinecrest Academy, and Somerset Academy—offer specialized STEAM, arts, and dual-language curricula with independent lotteries. Review our Nevada Charter School Lottery Guide.
• Submit a COSA Application: If you prefer a traditional school outside your residential zone, you can submit a Change of School Assignment (COSA) during the spring district transfer window. Explore our Nevada Open Enrollment & Transfer Guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are CCSD magnet elementary and middle schools free?

Yes. All Clark County magnet schools are tuition-free public schools funded by the state of Nevada. There are no registration fees, application charges, or material costs required to apply or attend.

Do elementary or middle school students need to audition or submit test scores?

No. Unlike magnet high schools that evaluate grades or require performing arts auditions, CCSD elementary and middle magnet programs determine admission entirely through an equitable centralized lottery without academic screening.

Does CCSD provide bus transportation to magnet schools?

Yes, provided that your residential address falls within the school's designated Magnet Transportation Zone. If you live outside the designated zone, your child can still attend if accepted in the lottery, but parents must provide daily transportation.

Can I apply to more than one magnet school in Clark County?

Yes. Parents may select up to three magnet school choices on their annual CCSD application, ranked in order of family preference.

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Interactive Education Tools for Nevada Families

• Nevada School Zone Address Finder: Determine your zoned neighborhood school and check your designated magnet transportation zone.
• Side-by-Side School Comparison Tool: Compare Gehring STEM against your local neighborhood elementary school.
• Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) Decoder: Understand how star ratings, achievement indices, and growth percentiles are calculated.
• CCSD Magnet Application Playbook: Step-by-step instructions for submitting your online magnet application.
• Best CCSD Magnet & CTE High Schools in Las Vegas: Plan your student's secondary high school pathway.
• Nevada Education Partner & Sponsorship Portal: Connect with credentialed tutors, test preparation coaches, and youth extracurricular programs in Las Vegas.