Las Vegas Public High School Elite College Placement Index
An objective, data-driven analysis of public high schools in the Las Vegas Valley. We use a proprietary Elite College Placement Index (ECPI) to evaluate schools based on graduate outcomes and college readiness.
The Las Vegas Educational Landscape
The Las Vegas Valley, served almost entirely by the Clark County School District (CCSD), presents a unique public education landscape. The district is one of the largest in the nation, offering a wide array of educational options, including traditional comprehensive high schools, specialized magnet programs, and independent public charter schools. Excellence is concentrated in a group of highly competitive magnet and charter schools which draw top students from across the valley and boast impressive college placement records. Beyond these selective programs, a clear hierarchy exists among the comprehensive high schools, with those in affluent suburban areas like Summerlin and Henderson consistently outperforming their urban counterparts. Our ECPI highlights the significant performance gap between the specialized academies and the top-tier suburban schools versus the rest of the district.
Map Legend: ECPI Ranking
Individual School Profiles
Select a school to view a detailed breakdown of its academic performance and college placement data.
Top 10 University Destinations (Est.)
Performance Breakdown (Scaled Scores)
Side-by-Side Comparison
Select two schools to compare their performance profiles directly.
Institution Alpha
Institution Beta
Top 10 Destinations (Est.)
Top 10 Destinations (Est.)
Direct Performance Breakdown
Full Regional Ranking
Explore the full dataset of Las Vegas area public high schools. Use the filters to narrow the results.
Data Sources & References
This project synthesizes data from multiple public sources to create an illustrative model of college matriculation patterns for Las Vegas area high schools.
Primary Data Sources
- Nevada Department of Education - Report Card: Provides foundational data on graduation rates, demographics, and college and career readiness indicators (e.g., ACT scores, Advanced Diploma rates).
- Publicly Available School Profiles & Matriculation Lists: Data from high-achieving magnet schools that voluntarily publish information about their graduates' college destinations.
Secondary & Supporting Sources
- Third-Party Data Aggregators (e.g., Niche.com, U.S. News & World Report): These platforms compile data from various sources, including user surveys and public records. This data is used for cross-referencing and modeling, particularly for out-of-state and private university placements.
Important Disclaimer
All data presented on this website is illustrative and for modeling purposes only. The matriculation numbers, percentages, and our calculated "ECPI" score are synthesized estimates designed to reflect likely outcomes based on a school's academic profile and available public data. They are not official, verified counts from the schools themselves. Families should always consult a school's official profile and speak with school counselors for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Rating Methodology
Our Las Vegas Elite College Placement Index (ECPI) is calculated to provide a comprehensive measure of a school's success in preparing students for higher education. The index is based on a modeled dataset created from publicly available data.
ECPI Score Components & Weighting
The total ECPI score is a weighted average of five components. Each component is first scaled to a 0-100 score to ensure fair comparison.
- T25 National University Matriculation (35%): Modeled percentage based on a school's academic profile, average ACT scores, and available matriculation data from top-performing schools.
- T15 Liberal Arts College Matriculation (15%): Modeled percentage, following a similar logic to the T25 metric.
- Top In-State University Matriculation (20%): Modeled percentage of graduates attending UNLV or UNR, estimated from college-going rates and school demographics.
- Other 4-Year University Matriculation (10%): Estimated based on overall college-going rates minus other categories.
- College Readiness Score (20%): A 1-10 score based on a composite of the school's average ACT score, graduation rate, and percentage of students earning an Advanced Diploma.
Psychometric & Mean Scaling
A simple weighted average can be misleading. To create a more robust index, we use a two-step scaling process:
- Normalization (0-100 Scale): For each of the five components, we analyze the range of scores across all schools in our dataset. Each school's raw score is then scaled to a value between 0 and 100.
- Mean Adjustment (Target Mean of 70): After calculating an initial ECPI score, we apply a linear adjustment to every school's score to shift the overall average to a target of 70. This standardizes the index, making 70 the benchmark for a "strong" performance within the Las Vegas context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions regarding Las Vegas Public High Schools Elite College Placement Index. For broader questions, please visit our General FAQ page.
Which is the highest-ranked public high school in the Las Vegas area?
According to the Elite College Placement Index, Advanced Technologies Academy and Clark High School are among the top performers in the region.
What types of high schools are included on this page?
This specific index and dataset evaluate only public, charter, and magnet high schools within the Las Vegas Valley. We maintain a separate ranking for private institutions.
Which school districts are included in this Las Vegas placement data?
Our dataset covers schools within the Clark County School District (CCSD) and state-sponsored public charter schools operating in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
What are the most common elite university destinations for top Las Vegas public school graduates?
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) are the dominant in-state destinations, while top out-of-state placements frequently include Arizona State University, University of Utah, and various Top 25 national universities and UC system schools.
Analysis & Reporting
Explore in-depth data analysis, and commentary on school performance and college placement trends.