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Basic High School • 400 North Palo Verde Drive • Henderson, NV 89015 • (702) 799-8000

Welcome to Basic High School!

Mission Statement

Basic High School challenges students to pursue their individual learning goals while preparing themselves for the future.

Core Beliefs

• Student learning should be the primary focus of our school.
• Students should be provided with excellent academic and co-curricular programs which challenge them to produce quality work.
• Students should communicate effectively.
• Students should develop and practice constructive problem-solving strategies and utilize critical thinking.
• Students are accountable for their decisions, actions, and educational success.
• Students, staff, parents, and the community share the responsibility for the success of the school.

Basic High School History

Basic High School is a public, four-year, comprehensive high school (grades 9-12) that is dedicated to the growth and improvement of each individual student.  Over 2400 students are served by a staff of approximately 114 dedicated teachers who are committed to the learning process and strive to help each student reach his or her maximum academic, vocational, social, recreational, and physical potentials.  Having received Northwest Accreditation for over 60 years, Basic continues to offer an excellent educational opportunity for every student.

Basic High School students represent some of the finest young men and women in Nevada.  They enjoy a reputation for being intellectually curious scholars, committed and talented athletes, and just plain great kids.  Our alumni add to our school’s reputation through their accomplishments.  All of these elements contribute to the vitality of Basic High School.

The rigorous and relevant curriculum at Basic provides a range of challenges from Advanced Placement and honors programs to supportive remediation and credit recovery programs and special education. Several academic and extra curricular programs at Basic have received national recognition.  Steeped in a history of rich tradition, Basic is a comfortable, warm, welcoming environment, which facilitates the success of all students.

On October 5, 1942, the Railroad Pass School District officially opened with thirteen teachers and 235 students in twelve grades. Fourteen students comprised the first graduating class in 1943. This school, named Townsite School was located on the grounds of the current Henderson Civic Center. On May 24, 1946, the Railroad Pass School District became the Henderson School District.

By the early 1950’s, Henderson had grown so much that new schools were needed. In December 1952, construction began on a new high school (grades 9-12). This school building, located at 755 Van Wagenen, was completed in 1954. In 1955, with an enrollment of 450, it was formally dedicated and named for the Basic Magnesium Plant located nearby. The Henderson School District became part of the Clark County School District in 1956. This state-of-the-art red brick facility housed Lyal Burkholder Middle School for many years.

In June 1971, construction began on the third location of Henderson’s high school at 400 North Palo Verde Drive. Completed in 1972, this modern facility was built to accommodate an enrollment of almost 2000 students. Seventeen new classrooms and an auxiliary gym were added in 1980.

In compliance with federal law, asbestos removal and retrofit began in December 1995. Extensive modernization and remodeling took place as well, while staff and students met at Green Valley High School for double-sessions for the remainder of the school year. The "new"' facility was ready for occupancy in August 1996.

During the 1996-97 school year the composition gym floor was replaced with wood. The following year, an all-weather track was installed as well as a new batting cage for the softball field. In the fall of 1999, a new, three-story classroom building was opened
and construction began on a second auxiliary gym. With completion of the gym in November 2000, came exterior enhancements such as landscaping, lighting, and adaptations to accommodate the physically disabled. Other enhancements during the 1999-2000 school year included lights and new dugout with restrooms for the baseball field. The bleachers were replaced on the football field and new restroom and concession stands added. Construction was also completed on the new computer super lab and the new CAD lab.  During the 2000-2001 school year new dugouts, backdrop, and bleachers were installed at the girls’ softball field.  In the spring of 2004 a brand new state-of-the-art theater was completed, outdoor lighting was renovated, the tennis courts were resurfaced and two additional courts were added. Basic High School is one of 38 comprehensive high schools in CCSD and the first high school in Henderson. 

Since its first class was graduated in 1955, BHS Wolfpack alumni have continued to be loyal and supportive; many graduates have returned to teach, coach and work at our school.

Tradition plays an important role at Basic. Yearly, homecoming parades, pep rallies and luncheons are well attended by alumni.  Many Basic graduates are currently outstanding leaders in the Las Vegas community.  Basic has produced a Rhodes Scholar and many National Merit winners.  Graduates are business people, doctors, lawyers, firefighters, engineers, dentists, police officers, architects and computer programmers, to list just a few.  Basic has had many successful students who received a well-rounded education, which have enabled them to compete for and achieve enviable positions.  Graduates from Basic High School exemplify the quality of education that has been a standard and a tradition throughout the history of the school.