Charter school adding 2 grades

Silver State Charter High School, which has been steadily growing since it opened five years ago, plans to expand next year to include seventh and eighth grades.

Principal Steve Knight said it is a response to community demand.

"We've had so many requests over the last three to fours years," he said. "Three years ago, it wasn't the time."

He said as the school looks to build a new, bigger facility, now is the time to bring in the younger students.

The hybrid model, where students complete their courses online but consult weekly with instructors, has been successful with high school students, Knight said, and will serve middle school students well.

"We're a highly successful, high achieving school," he said. "We're very careful in how we hire staff, and we're very careful in how we work with students. We're very concerned that they succeed. I think it's a great model."

The charter school opened five years ago with 143 students. Last year, there were 476 students enrolled. Knight said he expects about 500 in the coming year, with 125-150 of them seventh- and eighth-graders.

He said the school has received few complaints from parents and has several inquiries from teachers wanting to work there.

"It's not perfect for everybody, but it works really well for the kids who need it."

In May, Knight pulled an application to the planning commission for a 73,000-square-foot school to be built next to the Carson City Airport.

At the time, he said he knew the project couldn't get the needed approval after the airport authority recommended the city oppose the plan.

Knight said they are continuing to negotiate for that five-acre site, but are also considering other locations to build an expanded campus by the middle of the 2010-11 school year.

On the 'Net

To enroll at Silver State Charter High School or to apply for open positions, go to sshs.org or call the school at 883-7900.