LAS VEGAS -- It's called Advanced Academics, and it is a chance for students who have fallen behind in class to catch up on credits they need to graduate. The programs is offered at Valley High School and roughly 150 students per semester take part to make the grade.
"When you're getting behind or you really just messed up that one time, you're given an opportunity to do it all over again," said student April Bustamante-Hernandez.
"I've always been working. So after school, it's work or I'm trying to catch up on things," said student Christian Fernando-Carbrera.
These are just some of the students who will earn their diploma this year, all thanks to the Credit Retrieval Program. There is a teacher in the classroom, but all of the courses are computer based, meaning there can be multiple subjects being taught all at the same time.
More importantly, the students work at their own pace. Whether it's trying to balance a job to help support their family or the fact they are just struggling in classes, Principal Ron Montoya says this program helps students succeed.
"Students that get behind in credits or enroll to late in the school year to get credit always have hope to make up credits," he said.
The graduation rate overall for the Clark County School District has gone up over the past five years from 60 percent up to 68 percent. Specifically at Valley High School, they have seen about a 20 percent increase in about that same time frame. In fact, Montoya says the school was rated a high-achieving exemplary school just last year. He says programs like these are a part of the reason why.
CCSD will soon have a new superintendent and school board trustees to help lead the district. But their work will be cut out for them as they address a major budget shortfall that amount to more cuts by way of teachers or school programs.
Despite some concerns programs in the district could be cut later because of the budget shortfall, Principal Montoya says he would find the resources to keep this one around.
