Education is quite extenisive within the Las Vegas area. Public education in this area is provided by the Clark County School District which has the distinction of being the fifth most populated school district in the USA. Due to the increase in population in the area growth of the education system has been quite rapid with as many as 16 schools opening in one year.
To deal with the increase in students some of the elementary schools are on a 12 month schedule with the student body divided into five 'tracks.' Four of the tracks or terms take place in school and the fifth track is a break allowing the school to hold maximum capacity without overcrowding.
In addition to general schools, the district also operates 25 Alternative Schools and Programmes. There are also sixteen private schools which operate within the area.
The University of Nevada is located two miles east of The Strip with the Medical School campus in Downtown. Other national colleges such as the University of Pheonix have campuses in the city area. Nearby city Henderson has the campuses of the College of Southern Nevada and the University of Southern Nevada.
The University of Nevada is known for its many high standard educational courses including History, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Hotel Administration and Management. The university was ranked by The Carnegie Foundation for its Doctoral and Research programmes. The campus houses the National Supercomputing Center for Energy and the Environment, a super-computer facility.
Also held within the campus are five libraries, three athletic stadiums and five performing arts theatres.