Kesher Academy, a tuition-free Hebrew language charter school, opens as Henderson's first city-authorized charter

What happened

Henderson city leaders held a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, for Kesher Academy, a tuition-free charter school that teaches the Hebrew language, the Las Vegas Sun reported. The school is the newest charter in Henderson and the first one authorized by the city itself.

Kesher took in its first students in August. Its campus sits on the grounds of Congregation Ner Tamid, where the celebration took place, according to the Sun. Those at the event included Mayor Michelle Romero, City Councilwoman Carrie Cox, Principal Eve Breier and Rabbi-Cantor Jessica Hutchings.

Why the city is involved

A 2023 state law

The Sun reported that a 2023 state law expanded the list of bodies that can authorize charter schools in Nevada to include cities and counties. Before that, the list included the Nevada State Public Charter School Authority, the state's public universities and school districts.

How Henderson views its new role

Romero said at Thursday's event that education is one of Henderson's key priorities and that the city takes its authorizing role seriously, the Sun reported. She said the city wants any school it approves to bring something special the community does not already have, to put children first and to prepare them for the future. Readers following the mayor can find more in our explainer on the Henderson mayor race.

About the school

Part of a national network

Kesher is one of 12 schools in Hebrew Public, a New York-based network that runs tuition-free public schools teaching modern Hebrew to children of all backgrounds, according to the Sun. The network has schools in six states and Washington, D.C.

Hebrew Public says that while Hebrew is associated with Judaism, the language and culture are not inherently religious. The Sun reported that the school is secular and open to students of all faiths.

Enrollment and growth plans

The school has 42 students from preschool through second grade, above its initial target of 35, the Sun reported. Kesher plans to add one grade each year until it reaches eighth grade.

The name, mascot and colors

Kesher means "connection" in Hebrew. Principal Breier said the name was chosen on purpose, describing it as a promise that each child will be connected to staff, friends, a language and heritage, and a supportive community, according to the Sun.

Hilary Unger, a parent and board member, introduced the mascot, the tzvi, or gazelle. She said the school colors, orange and green, refer to the fruit and leaves of the Jaffa orange tree, a cold-hardy variety that grows in Israel.

Funding and leadership

The school announced this week that it won a grant of more than $700,000 from the federal Charter Schools Program, the Sun reported. The grant is administered by Opportunity 180, a Nevada-based education nonprofit.

According to the Sun, the money will let Kesher hire more staff, expand programs for English learners and special education students, and carry out outreach. Jordan Betten, one of the school's founding parents, chairs its board. He told the Sun he wanted his son to have strong academics, small classes and a second language.

For more on local education coverage, visit our schools section.

What to watch next

• Kesher plans to add one grade each year until it serves students through eighth grade.
• How the school uses its federal grant of more than $700,000 to hire staff and expand English learner and special education programs.
• Whether Henderson approves additional charter schools under the authority granted by the 2023 state law.