Lyal Burkholder Academy of Environmental Science

A Henderson full-magnet middle school focused on environmental science and STEM.

Full magnet for grades 6–8 · Environmental science and STEM · Outdoor learning, sustainability, and air and space

Grades: 6–8
How to get in: Interest-based magnet lottery
School day: Confirm with the school office

Burkholder is a full CCSD magnet school with environmental science and STEM themes. Admission is through the CCSD School Choice and magnet process, not automatic neighborhood assignment.

Henderson Townsite area on W. Van Wagenen

Official starting points

School Choice:(702) 799-5000 schoolchoice@nv.ccsd.net

About Burkholder

Burkholder is a public CCSD full-magnet middle school serving grades 6–8. Its environmental STEM program is organized around outdoor and earth science, sustainability, and air and space.

School materials describe three theme pillars: Hands in the Dirt, including gardening, soil science, and outdoor learning; Sustainability, including renewable energy and climate action; and Air & Space, including aerospace, weather, and planetary science.

The guide describes Burkholder as a smaller campus than many valley middle schools. Enrollment and program offerings can change, so confirm current details with the school.

School leadership

Confirm with the school office

The guide does not identify the current principal. Staff assignments may change, so contact the school for current leadership information.

School details

Address: 355 W. Van Wagenen, Henderson, NV 89015
Phone: (702) 799-8080
Official CCSD site: School website(opens in a new tab)

Public CCSD full-magnet middle school
Grades 6–8
Environmental science and STEM focus

How families get in

Burkholder is a full magnet school. Families apply through the CCSD School Choice and magnet process, and middle-school magnet admission is interest-based.

Do not assume that living near the campus automatically assigns a student to Burkholder.
Confirm current application steps and deadlines on the CCSD Magnet site.
Transportation follows district magnet transportation-zone rules when a student is eligible. Transportation is not guaranteed.
Gordon McCaw STEM Academy fifth graders may receive preference when selecting Burkholder as their first choice. Confirm the current preference rules before applying.

Before applying

Check the current magnet designation and interest-lottery rules.
Verify zoning separately so you are not relying on an outdated map.
Review commute plans and magnet bus eligibility for your address.

Magnet rules, transportation, preferences, and program themes can change. Confirm current information with CCSD and the school.

Who it tends to fit

A good match when

The student enjoys outdoor science, gardening, sustainability, or aerospace themes.
The family is prepared to apply through an interest-based lottery.
The family prefers a smaller, themed magnet campus over a large comprehensive middle school.
The family can plan for a commute or confirm eligibility within the magnet transportation zone.

Think twice when

The family expects automatic neighborhood enrollment without a magnet application.
The student wants an IB international studies theme.
The family needs a guaranteed seat.
The student prefers a non-STEM theme such as arts or leadership.

Fit depends on the current program, electives, transportation options, and the student's interests. Confirm these details before deciding.

Students

The guide reports an NCES 2024–25 enrollment snapshot of about 500 students. The reported race and ethnicity shares are approximate and are not a ranking.

Diversity index

Not provided in the guide

The guide says the race and ethnicity mix is fairly stable from year to year, but counts and shares can shift.

Gender: Not provided in the guide Confirm current student demographics through the Nevada Report Card or the school.

Total enrollment was reported as about 500 students.
Approximate shares were 41% Hispanic, 32% White, 11% Black, 8% two or more races, 4% Asian, and 3% Pacific Islander, with other groups representing smaller shares.
The guide does not provide exact student counts for each race or ethnicity group.

Academics

The academic identity centers on environmental science and STEM through three recurring themes.

Hands in the Dirt includes gardening, soil science, and outdoor learning.
Sustainability includes renewable energy and climate action.
Air & Space includes aerospace, weather, and planetary science.
Ask how often outdoor or field science appears in a typical year.
Electives, clubs, and middle-school athletics may be available, but offerings can change each year.

Awards and recognition

Location and daily life

The campus is at 355 W. Van Wagenen in Henderson.

It is in the Townsite area near the Boulder Highway and Lake Mead corridors.

Magnet families should review commute plans and bus eligibility carefully.

Compare before you commit

Brown AcademyA nearby Henderson IB magnet-within-a-school with a different theme.
Johnston STEM AcademyA full STEM and environmental-studies magnet in North Las Vegas.
Bridger STEM & Medical AcademyA magnet-within-a-school option focused on medical studies and STEM.
Lied STEM AcademyA full STEM magnet in the northwest valley.

Questions to ask on a tour

1.How do the Hands in the Dirt, Sustainability, and Air & Space themes appear in weekly schedules?
2.How much outdoor or field science happens during a typical year?
3.Which electives and clubs currently complement the environmental STEM core?
4.How does magnet transportation work from our address?
5.How does the McCaw continuum preference work during the current application cycle?

What to do next

1.Confirm the magnet designation, application process, and current deadlines on the CCSD Magnet site.
2.Review the school's theme information.
3.Check CCSD zoning separately rather than relying on older zone maps.
4.Review the Nevada Report Card for current accountability information.
5.Contact the school about a tour and current electives, clubs, athletics, and transportation.