In a powerful display of civic engagement, students from across Nevada, including those from Doral Academy of Northern Nevada, Oasis Academy, and Mountain View Christian School, testified before the Senate Education Committee to oppose Senate Bill 460 (SB 460).

Ranging from third graders to high school sophomores and recent college graduates, these young voices articulated their concerns about the bill’s potential to undermine the autonomy of charter schools and restrict opportunities provided by the Nevada Opportunity Scholarship program. Their testimonies, delivered with clarity and passion, underscored the importance of educational choice and the unique benefits of charter and private schools tailored to their needs. 

Charter Schools: A Haven for Personalized Education 

Students like Benjamin Martins, an 8th grader at Doral Academy of Northern Nevada, highlighted the superior performance and innovative approaches of charter schools. Drawing from his experiences in both traditional public schools and charter schools, Benjamin presented data showing that charter school students consistently outperform their public school counterparts. “Charter schools offer unique, personalized education,” he stated, crediting programs like the CERT initiative at Doral for helping him gain acceptance to the prestigious Davidson Academy. He warned that SB 460’s restrictions on charter school autonomy could stifle innovation, limit teacher raises, and reduce personalized learning opportunities, putting students like him at risk. 

Similarly, Zachary Abelser, a fifth grader and founding family member at Doral Academy, emphasized the school’s vibrant specials programs, such as violin lessons in music class and sheep brain dissections for older students. He expressed concern that SB 460 could diminish the quality of these programs by imposing restrictive regulations, potentially driving away passionate teachers who make learning engaging. “Your bill is hurting our school, our teachers, and most importantly, our students,” Zachary asserted. 

Younger students, like third grader Alice Borland and fourth grader Kyla Kepler, also spoke out, praising Doral Academy’s supportive teachers and diverse specials like art, music, and PE. Alice described learning cultural dances from the Philippines and drawing as paleontologists, while Kyla highlighted the real-world expertise of her teachers, many of whom are industry professionals rather than traditionally licensed educators. Both warned that SB 460’s funding cuts and licensing requirements could jeopardize these programs and prevent the expansion of schools like Doral, forcing students into lower-performing district schools. 

The Nevada Opportunity Scholarship: A Lifeline for Students 

The Nevada Opportunity Scholarship program, which enables low-income families to attend private schools, was a focal point for several students who credited it with transforming their lives. Karla DeLeon shared her journey from struggling in an unsupportive public school to thriving in a private school environment with smaller classes and tailored support. “The assessments I took at my private school clearly reflected what I was learning,” she said, arguing that SB 460’s mandate for state tests misaligned with private school curricula would unfairly disadvantage scholarship students. 

Daniel Reyes, a first-generation college graduate, recounted how the Opportunity Scholarship allowed him to attend Mountain View Christian School after falling behind in public school. “In just one month, my grades improved. I caught up, I began to love learning,” he said. He criticized SB 460 for threatening the program’s stability and imposing tests that do not reflect the unique curricula of private schools, potentially limiting access for families who rely on the scholarship. He came as a living testament to the program’s success after becoming a first-generation college graduate just recently.  

Estella Manzano, a sophomore at Mountain View Christian School, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the close-knit community and personalized support she found through the scholarship. “I don’t understand why lawmakers want me to take the same tests as public school kids. I learn differently, and our lessons aren’t the same,” she said, aspiring to become an author and poet thanks to the encouragement of her teachers. 

A Call to Protect Educational Freedom 

Students with unique needs, like Hayes Creamer, a fifth grader with ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and autism, shared deeply personal stories. Hayes described being dismissed by a private preschool that suggested he would “self-eliminate” due to his challenges. At Doral Academy, however, he found a welcoming environment with robust special education programs that helped him excel academically and socially. “I make straight A’s. I just passed my gifted screener,” he proudly shared, urging lawmakers not to pass SB 460, which could cut funding for the programs that transformed his life. 

Colton Brown, another student, spoke candidly about being bullied in traditional public schools, which made him feel unsafe and led to poor academic performance. At Mater Academy, a charter school, he became an honor roll student, but returning to a district high school reignited his struggles. “SB 460 would put [charter schools and Opportunity Scholarships] in danger and hurt opportunities for us all,” he warned. 

Reagan Farley, a student at Oasis Academy in Fallon, emphasized the importance of small class sizes and supportive staff, calling for lawmakers to respect families’ educational choices. “My school and other charter schools should not be a pawn in politics,” she said, advocating for collaboration with Governor Lombardo to protect school choice. 

A Unified Plea: Vote No on SB 460 

These students, representing diverse backgrounds and educational experiences, united in their opposition to SB 460, arguing that it threatens the flexibility and innovation that make charter schools and the Opportunity Scholarship program successful. Their testimonies highlighted the real-world impact of the bill, from reduced funding and teacher pay to the loss of specialized programs and the imposition of mismatched assessments. By sharing their stories, these young advocates demonstrated the power of educational choice and the importance of preserving it for future generations. 

As Benjamin Martins concluded, “Please vote no on SB 460. I’m proud to be a student at Doral Academy of Northern Nevada.” Their collective message to the Senate Education Committee was clear: protect the schools and opportunities that allow Nevada’s students to thrive. 

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