Pahrump Valley Academy Gets State Approval to Open in 2026

After a multi-year effort that began in 2019, organizers of Pahrump Valley Academy secured authorization from the Nevada State Public Charter School Authority in December 2025. The charter will let PVA open for the 2026-2027 school year with kindergarten through fifth grade on its initial campus, operating two classes per grade except for a single fifth-grade class. School leaders plan to add a grade each year and to request authorization to expand as they approach seventh grade.

The academy was conceived by longtime educator Dr. Sable Marandi, who serves as executive director. The PVA board of directors includes seven members: Kay LaPointe, Michelle Caird, Dr. Tom Waters, Tynia Dickson, Tim Burke, Jonathan Nelson of JK Nelson Law and Dr. Maria Jerinic of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Board members and organizers emphasized the personal significance of the authorization. “When we got word that we were authorized, it was the best Christmas present ever,” board member Kay LaPointe said. “For us, as well as Pahrump parents and Pahrump kids.” Marandi framed the school’s mission in terms of community priorities: “Within every community, the more educators and educational systems you have, the more you know that education is a significant cause,” she added.

As a charter, PVA will be a public school funded through the state’s per-pupil allotment and therefore will charge no tuition. The principal structural difference from a traditional district school will be governance: PVA will operate under its own board rather than the county school board. That governance model gives PVA leeway to pursue a college-preparatory, personalized curriculum while remaining subject to state accountability and oversight.

Local economic implications are likely to follow. New school options can shift where families enroll their children, moving state education dollars to the charter when students transfer. The board’s newest member, Michelle Caird, emphasized the potential to attract professionals: “If you can provide great education options for children, professionals will come live here, because then their children will be getting a good education.” For Nye County that could mean modest changes in housing demand and workforce composition over time if families relocate for schooling choices.

Operational next steps include a website relaunch in January and final preparations ahead of the August 2026 opening. Residents seeking details about the authorization and charter process can visit CharterSchools.NV.gov for state materials and contact information as PVA completes enrollment and staffing plans. The approval marks a significant new option for Pahrump families and introduces a new dynamic to local public education planning and funding.