Southwest Career and Technical Academy
General Information
About
The Southwest Career and Technical Academy (SWCTA) is a magnet public high school located in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the Clark County School District. Students in grades 9 through 12 attend, and the institution is designed around providing both rigorous academic instruction and career‑technical education through specialized programs of study. SWCTA offers students project‐based learning, job shadowing, internships, and one‑to‑one device programs to prepare them for college and career pathways.
The school emphasizes that students can choose a program of study early and engage in sequences that span four years, combining hands‑on technical experience with honors and Advanced Placement coursework. Though technically a high school rather than a traditional university, SWCTA brings many features of higher‑education readiness into its model, making it a strong example of career‐technical secondary schooling.
Contact Information
Address: 7050 W Shelbourne Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89113
Phone: (702) 799‑5766
Email: The specific admissions/fixed email address is not publicly listed, but inquiries can be directed via SWCTA’s “Contact” page for messaging.
School Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 2009 (opened August 2009 under founding principal) |
| Motto | (Not explicitly listed in public sources) |
| Grades Served | 9‑12 |
| Type | Magnet Public High School – Career & Technical Education Focus |
| Student – Teacher Ratio | Approximately 24 : 1 (1,579 students, 66 FTE teachers) |
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Rankings
| Ranking Type | Position / Detail |
|---|---|
| State (Nevada) | Among the top high schools in Nevada; for example ranked 10th of 103 in 2025 by SchoolDigger. |
| Global / National | Specific global ranking data not available, as SWCTA is a high school, not a university – broader national rankings not reported. |
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Academics
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Faculties / Departments
SWCTA organizes its curriculum into two main “academies” of study: the Professional Service Academy and the Design Academy. Within these overarching divisions, departments / program areas include:
- Automotive Technology
- Culinary Arts / Hospitality
- Dental Science / Dental Assisting
- Nursing Assistant
- Respiratory Therapy
- Engineering
- Fashion Design
- Interior Design / Web Design & Development
- Digital Game Development / Video Game Technology
- Multimedia Communications
- Teaching & Training
These programs blend technical skill development with academic rigor.
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Courses and Programs / Majors
While SWCTA is a high‑school rather than a university offering majors, its program list effectively serves as “majors” within the career‑tech context. Students apply to and follow a four‑year sequence in one of the program areas listed above (e.g., Automotive Technology, Digital Game Development, Nursing Assistant). Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment options are available as well.
Online Learning
SWCTA offers digital tools and programs supporting online and blended learning. For example, the founding principal discussed a 1:1 device initiative assigning iPads/iPods for grades 10‑12 to extend learning beyond the classroom and integrate technology into pedagogy. While fully online degree programs are not typical (as this is a secondary school), the use of online platforms and dual enrollment arrangements indicate an embedding of digital learning components.
Average Test Scores
| Test | Average Score |
|---|---|
| SAT / ACT / GRE | Specific aggregate SAT/ACT/GRE data for the student body are not publicly reported in the sources reviewed. |
| Other State Assessments | Example: proficiency in reading ~87 %, math ~50 % according to Niche data. |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Detailed retention and graduation rates for SWCTA are not listed in the publicly sourced material available. However, given the magnet nature of the school and the structured four‑year program sequences, students who complete the program are usually college and career ready with earned credits and certifications, indicating strong completion opportunities through graduation.
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
As a magnet high school, SWCTA’s admissions process is based on a lottery rather than strictly on GPA or SAT/ACT thresholds. Applicants may apply and select programs of interest; for STEM‑based programs additional qualification may be required before lottery admission. Consequently, the school does not publish a specific GPA or standardized test score range as an admission requirement since program eligibility and lottery selection play the primary role.
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Acceptance Rate
| Admission Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Not publicly reported numerically; admissions are conducted via a lottery system for qualified applicants. |
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Application Requirements
To apply to SWCTA, students must complete an online application via the magnet school system of the Clark County School District. Applicants may rank up to three magnet/CTA schools or programs in order of preference. For STEM‑based programs (e.g., Engineering, Digital Game Development, Nursing Assistant, Dental Science) qualifying criteria must be met before entry into the lottery; interest‑based programs are open to the lottery without additional qualification. Applicants must provide a valid email address, and results are typically sent out in March via email.
Application Process
- Complete the online application through the district’s magnet/CTA portal.
- Rank up to three program choices at SWCTA or other magnet/CTA schools.
- If applying for a STEM‑based program, ensure qualification criteria are met (e.g., prerequisite work, portfolio).
- Submit the application by the deadline.
- Participate in the lottery selection if population of qualified applicants exceeds available seats.
- Wait for result email (typically in March).
- If accepted, follow up with registration and program orientation.
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Deadline/Event | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Application submission window | Typically in the magnet/CTA portal during district‑designated period (dates vary each year) |
| Lottery result notification | Typically in March via email to applicants. |
Essay Prompt
There is no publicly published essay prompt requirement for admission to SWCTA; the admissions process is lottery‑based, and additional essays are not indicated in the available documentation.
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Scholarships
As a secondary school, SWCTA does not offer college scholarships directly in the same way universities do. However, students may earn micro‑scholarships or college credit through dual enrollment programs and partnerships. For example, students at SWCTA are noted to be earning micro‑scholarships via external platforms.
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Tuition and Fees
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition (In‑district) | As a public school in the Clark County School District, there is no tuition fee for resident students. |
| Other fees | Specific fees for materials, equipment, or program‑specific costs may apply depending on the career/technical program, but publicly available fee schedules are not specified in the sources reviewed. |
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
The student body of SWCTA reflects diversity across gender and ethnicity. As of the 2023‑24 school year there were 1,579 students enrolled. Gender distribution: approximately 47 % male and 53 % female. Ethnic breakdown: Asian ~32.4 %, Hispanic ~24.6 %, White ~21.9 %, Multiracial ~9.6 %, African American ~8.5 %, Pacific Islander ~2.7 %, Native American ~0.3 %.
Low‑Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Data indicate that SWCTA serves a significant proportion of students eligible for free or reduced‑price lunch (a common proxy for low‑income status). For example, for the 2023‑24 year, nearly 100% of students were eligible for free/reduced lunch per NCES data. Information on the percentage of students with disabilities is not separately detailed in publicly accessible summaries for SWCTA.
Student Body
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Students | 1,579 (2023‑24) |
| International Students | The publicly available data indicate 0 % international student body. |
University Diversity
While SWCTA is a secondary school rather than a university, its diversity profile is noteworthy in the high school realm. Students hail from varied racial and ethnic backgrounds, with more than half of the student body identifying as Asian, Hispanic or mixed race. This diversity fosters an inclusive culture and exposes students to a broad set of perspectives, preparing them for engagement in post‑secondary settings and global workplaces. The school’s magnet status and career‑technical program design attract students whose interests span a wide spectrum of academic, technical and creative disciplines.
Because many students come from low‑income backgrounds (as indicated by nearly full eligibility for free/reduced lunch), the academy’s inclusive model supports upward mobility through rigorous curriculum and dual‑enrollment pathways. The presence of students from varied socio‐economic and cultural backgrounds enriches peer learning and enables students to prepare for colleges, trades, and emerging careers in a diverse, interconnected world.
Average Earnings
Although SWCTA is a high school and thus average earnings post‑graduation are not systematically reported like universities, the school emphasizes pathways that lead to career readiness and post‑secondary success, which implicitly supports higher earnings potential. Students completing a four‑year sequence in technical programs (such as nursing assistant, engineering, automotive technology) are positioned to enter either college or high‑skill jobs directly, often gaining certifications or college credits while in high school. This advantage can accelerate time to employment or reduce tuition costs, thereby improving lifetime earnings.
Further, by combining advanced academic coursework with technical training, graduates are more likely to pursue college and careers in high‑demand fields—such as healthcare or engineering—where wages tend to be above average for entry‑level positions compared to many general high‑school‑only graduates. The robust career/technical structure therefore contributes positively to students’ long‑term earning trajectories.
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
The school employs a full complement of counseling staff and support personnel tailored to the magnet career/technical model. For instance, the counseling department includes counselors Ms. Kailee Dudoit, Ms. Elizabeth Hare, Ms. Janelle Kelly, and Ms. Dionne Reicher, and social workers Ms. Marcella Garcia and Ms. Joselyn Kim. In addition, the school reported approximately 66 full‑time equivalent classroom teachers and a student‑teacher ratio of approximately 24:1.
Faculty Profiles (Expertise, Achievements)
The founding leadership and faculty at SWCTA are recognized for their innovation in integrating technology, project‑based learning, and industry partnerships. For example, Principal Felicia Nemcek opened SWCTA in 2009, emphasizes 21st‑century skills and was honored with the 2011 Nevada ACTE Outstanding Educator of the Year award. Faculty include program leaders such as Craig Statucki in the Digital Game Development program who coordinates industry partnerships and teaches web/app programming languages. These profiles suggest that SWCTA’s teaching staff are actively engaged in curricular innovation, technical programming, community and industry linkages, which enriches the learning experience for students.
Southwest Career and Technical Academy Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
As a public high school, SWCTA does not provide on‑campus housing or dormitories typical of a university. Student life is centered around the high‑school campus situated in suburban Las Vegas. The campus features multiple specialized buildings for the distinct program areas, including automotive garages, culinary kitchens, game‑development labs, and design studios. Student life includes participation in clubs associated with their technical programs, internships, job‐shadowing and project‑based learning which mirror college‑and‑career environments. While no formal housing is available, students typically commute from the greater Las Vegas area.
Transportation
The SWCTA campus is located at 7050 W Shelbourne Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89113. The school is accessible by major roads and public transportation in the Las Vegas metro area. Ample on‑site visitor parking is available, as noted in visitor guides. Students commuting to the campus may rely on district transportation, carpool, or public transit options. The layout of the campus—with multiple walkways connecting specialized buildings and a central courtyard area—supports mobility within the campus and fosters an environment where students move between different program‐specific spaces and shared communal areas.