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NORTH LAS VEGAS - More and more educational options are in the works for families with low-incomes. Take Opportunity 180 for example: It's a new non-profit organization that wants to launch several new charter schools in the state.
The initiative is funded by both the state and private donations.
According to Opportunity 180's study, the areas with the highest concentration of low-performing schools are in North Las Vegas and east Las Vegas.
If all goes as planned, the first public charter school under Opportunity 180 will open in east Las Vegas next fall.
"In some ways, it's equal parts of excitement for what we will do but also that professional paranoia," said Ignacio Prado, the executive director of Futuro Academy.
Opening the new charter school in east Las Vegas is a new venture for Prado. It's part of a county-wide effort to give access to families with children attending low-performing schools.
"There's a tremendous need here, and I think that's something that you can walk down the street, and people would tell you," Prado said.
The 31-year-old was a teacher in the Clark County School District for five years, before leaving his job last summer. Prado immediately began working with the non-profit organizations.
"It takes hard work and time, you have to be very strategic, and you have to involve families," Prado said.
Futuro Academy will be the first of many public charter schools in areas with high needs. However, everything for the new east Las Vegas school isn't set in stone just yet. Prado says he's still in the process of getting state approval and acquiring land.
Opportunity 180 has a plan to enroll 25,000 students in what they describe as 'great urban schools' by 2025. Over the next two years, the state is set to give the organization $10 million, but only if the non-profit raises the same amount through donations.
"I have a tremendous amount of confidence that the outcome will be great," Prado said. "I also know 100 percent that it's gonna to be hard."
Futuro Academy will be a K-8 charter school. Anyone can apply, but priority will be given to students who live in the area and are the most in need.
