The Washoe County School District has invested almost $800 million in new schools since the capital funding ballot initiative passed in 2016. Thank you voters! 

The District's first major expansion project was at Damonte Ranch High School, where in 2017, 22 classrooms were added to address overcrowding and leave room for growth. In August 2019, three new schools opened - the first new schools in a decade - Sky Ranch Middle School in Spanish Springs, Desert Skies Middle School in Sun Valley, and Nick Poulakidas Elementary School in south Reno. In August 2020, two more schools opened - Marce Herz Middle School in south Reno and John Bohach Elementary School in Spanish Springs. In August 2021, Michael Inskeep Elementary School in Cold Springs opened its doors. 

The District is currently constructing a new high school to replace the current Procter Hug High School. Construction on the new O'Brien STEM Academy and new buildings at Swope Middle School are currently underway as well. Future schools are dependent on growth and the District works closely with the cities of Reno and Sparks, Washoe County, the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency, and local developers to forecast future enrollment, and thanks to our increased capital funding, we will be able to build new schools as they are needed. 

All of the new schools will comply with the most recent energy standards, and include energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, as well as ground source heat pumps. The new buildings also include up to date safety and security features. 

The new schools have reduced overcrowding in schools across Washoe County, and more relief is expected as other new schools are built. Since the capital funding ballot initiative passed in 2016, the number of schools facing overcrowding has decreased. 

 To view the Capital Projects timeline, please click here.