Monday, August 11, is the first day of school for the traditional 2014-2015 school year. Please see this “Washoe County School District Calendar” for more details on important dates during the school year.
Back to school time in Reno is filled with excitement, fear, and uncertainty for both students and parents. With the Washoe County School District (WCSD) on a 12-month schedule, it is difficult to know which public schools open when, and even where children from a particular neighborhood are supposed to attend classes. Here’s back-to-school information for the Reno / Sparks area, mostly straight from the source, the Washoe County School District.
About the Washoe County School District
The Washoe County School District operates K-12 public schools in Washoe County, Nevada. WCSD is also responsible for several charter schools and other special purpose schools. District schools are located in the Reno / Sparks metropolitan area, Incline Village in Lake Tahoe, and the rural communities of Gerlach, Empire, and Wadsworth. Some schools operate in the traditional school year and some are open year round. Here are some facts about WCSD and some helpful links to more information about schools.
- 63 elementary schools
- 14 middle schools
- 13 comprehensive high schools
- A special education school
- 8 public charter schools
- Truckee Meadows Community College High School (magnet school)
- Washoe Innovations High School (Alternative School)
- Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology (advanced level occupational classes)
- Licensed Kindergartens
Washoe County School District Information Links
- School Locator Map
- School addresses (refers to the map)
- WCSD Core Curriculum Standards
- Traditional, 45/15 year-round, multi-track school calendars
- Back to school tips for parents
- Questions and Answers About Special Education
- Volunteering
Washoe County School District School Year Program
Most elementary schools operate on a traditional calendar. However, 11 schools observe a year-round schedule throughout the year and 13 accommodate a year-round schedule throughout the year. To find out which is which, check the School Directory. The Directory also contains additional information about each school (address, phone numbers, contact person, hours, etc.) and is organized alphabetically by school name.
If you are not used to this, it tends to be very confusing. Fortunately, the District’s website has a full School Year Calendars section to help figure it out. Due to the multitrack schedule, the first day of school differs by track and school.
Which Washoe County School Should My Child Attend?
Obviously, this depends on where you live within the Washoe County School District. An easy way to solve this is to enter your address on the School Zoning Information page of the WCSD website. There are separate maps for elementary, middle, and high schools. If you need help, call (775) 348-0200.
How to register children for school
Returning students register at the beginning of the school year. Contact the school your child attends for enrollment dates and times.
To register a new student, you will need the following documentation …
- Birth certificate or passport.
- Immunization record from a healthcare provider.
- Utility bill (electricity, telephone, water) as proof of residence. If this is not available, contact the school for other options.
- High school students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Enrollment takes place at each school. For additional information, see the Washoe County School District Parent-Student Handbook.
School bus information
Check online for school bus information from the WCSD Department of Transportation. The website has everything you need to know about getting kids to school on the bus, including FAQs, bus rules, and snow procedures. For more information, call (775) 353-5900.
Pay for school lunches online
Parents can control and track their students’ spending of lunch money through this online payment system. The system allows you to track your spending history, set spending limits, control meal settings, and more.
Washoe County School District Offices
Washoe County School District
425 East Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89512
(775) 348-0200
The WCSD Contact Us webpage has links to other phone numbers, an email address, and a link to the WCSD Snow Advisory Procedures. The general information phone number is (775) 348-0200.
Source: Washoe County School District (WCSD).
