Business Details
29 Years
experience
Premier PreK-8 Education at Lake Tahoe School
Lake Tahoe School has been dedicated to academic excellence since its founding in 1997. Originally established as Incline Academy, our institution rapidly expanded to become a PreK through 8th grade school by 2001, rebranding as Lake Tahoe School in 2002. Our three-story campus in Incline Village, Nevada, accommodates 242 students and features 24 classrooms, reflecting our commitment to personalized education. Accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) and affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), we maintain rigorous academic standards. Our faculty combines deep subject matter expertise with innovative teaching methods, fostering critical thinking and creativity through science labs, arts programs, and outdoor education.The Tahoe Basin serves as our extended classroom, integrating physical exploration with academic learning. Our Board of Trustees actively guides strategic growth while preserving our core values of community, creativity, and empathy. With over 25 years of experience, we prepare students for future academic success through a balanced curriculum emphasizing social-emotional learning and character development. Alumni consistently credit our supportive environment and dedicated educators for their personal and academic achievements.
Services
PreK3 Programs
PreK4 Programs
Elementary K-5 Education
Middle School 6-8 Education
Enrichment Classes
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- Accredited by Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS)
- 25+ years of academic excellence in Lake Tahoe region
- Integrated outdoor education using Tahoe Basin as our classroom
- Small class sizes with personalized student attention
- Proven track record of alumni academic success
Associations and certifications
- Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS)
What people say
Lifelong love of learning
Dedicated teachers
Outdoor education
Supportive community
Personalized attention
Services
PreK3 Programs
Our PreK3 program nurtures foundational skills through play-based learning and structured activities. Certified educators create developmentally appropriate experiences that build social-emotional readiness and early literacy. Small class sizes ensure individualized attention while fostering curiosity and classroom community.
Elementary K-5 Education
The K-5 curriculum combines core academic subjects with specialized instruction in arts, science, and physical education. Differentiated learning approaches meet diverse student needs while maintaining high academic standards. Outdoor learning experiences reinforce classroom concepts through environmental education.
Middle School 6-8 Education
Our middle school program prepares students for high school through advanced coursework and leadership opportunities. Subject-specific experts teach math, science, literature, and history while emphasizing critical thinking and study skills. Elective courses allow exploration of personal interests.
Enrichment Classes
Daily enrichment opportunities include visual arts, music, drama, and physical education. Students participate in maker space activities, creative writing workshops, and performance groups. These programs develop creativity, collaboration, and self-expression across grade levels.
Social-Emotional Learning
SEL curriculum integrates with all academic areas to build emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. Weekly community meetings reinforce core values while mindfulness practices support student well-being. This approach cultivates empathy, resilience, and positive relationships.
People
Dr. John Smith
Head of School
Dr. Smith leads Lake Tahoe School with 20+ years of independent school experience. He holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership and has served in academic roles at prestigious institutions. His vision focuses on innovative teaching methods and community engagement.
Sarah Johnson
Director of Admissions
Sarah Johnson manages admissions with a decade of experience in educational outreach. She graduated from University of Nevada, Reno with degrees in Education and Counseling. Her approach prioritizes family partnerships and student success.
Michael Chen
Middle School Principal
Michael Chen oversees grades 6-8 with 15 years of middle-level education expertise. A former science teacher, he holds a Master's in Curriculum Development. He specializes in adolescent learning and STEM integration.
Emily Rodriguez
Lower School Director
Emily Rodriguez leads our elementary division with expertise in early childhood education. Certified in Montessori methods, she has 18 years of experience developing foundational learning programs that combine creativity and academic rigor.
David Wilson
Board Chair
David Wilson chairs the Board of Trustees with 12 years of governance experience. A local business leader and LTS parent, he focuses on strategic planning and community partnerships to advance the school's mission.
Questions
What grades does Lake Tahoe School offer?
We provide education from PreK3 through 8th grade in a nurturing, academically rigorous environment.
Is Lake Tahoe School accredited?
Yes, we're accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) and affiliated with NAIS.
What makes your curriculum unique?
Our program combines core academics with arts integration, outdoor education, and social-emotional learning tailored to Lake Tahoe's environment.
Are there extracurricular activities available?
We offer athletics, drama, maker space projects, and enrichment classes that complement academic learning throughout the year.
How does the school support student development?
Small class sizes, personalized attention, and our SEL curriculum foster academic growth, character development, and emotional intelligence.
What is the student-teacher ratio?
Our 8:1 student-teacher ratio ensures individualized instruction and meaningful relationships across all grade levels.
Reviews (4)
Ben Rock
Jan 12, 2018
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A great school where learning is a #1 priority along with respect to others. Highly recommend this amazing school. Pay no heed to the other comments as this school is a fantastic learning environment, and honesty, integrity, and respect are among all of the students.
Shannon S.
Jan 10, 2017
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Unbelievable school! My husband grew up in incline village and was raised in the local schools from elementary through high school. When we had our first child, it seemed like he would follow in his same footsteps. As we started the journey from kindergarten through second grade at the elementary school, I was so impressed with the school and attitude of his teachers. My son excelled. That being said, he was denied certain gifted programs through the school due to circumstances he could not control. I decided to explore other options. We shadowed at Lake Tahoe school and immediately were impressed
Caren Jenkins
Jul 11, 2015
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An exceptional learning environment for all. Educational priorities are met and personal development and character emphasized in each welcoming and caring classroom. My children attended 3rd, 4th and 5th grades at LTS when we decided to give public school a try. After just 2 weeks in 5th and 6th grades in Reno, we were back at LTS. Worth every cent and every second we've invested in our childrens' education, and much much more.
Bob B.
Jan 10, 2015
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We have been at Lake Tahoe School for four years now and think it's terrific school. Great teachers , small class sizes and great sports teams and outdoor activities.
