Agassi’s charter school serves hope in kids

Terry Webster

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 9:30 a.m.

Children from the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy clung to the tennis star Thursday, asking him for autographs and hugging him following an appearance at his school's open house.

Several students were moved to tears after meeting Agassi, whose charitable foundation built the charter school in an at-risk West Las Vegas neighborhood. The school focuses on developing respect, motivation and self-discipline, while also working on technology, cultural activities and community service.

"I love the whole school," said Jessica Hill, a fourth grader. "There's nothing that I hate about it. My teacher is the best and I have the best friends. I'm so proud to be here."

Jessica's mother, Earlena Hill, said the rigorous academic program was difficult at first for her daughter.

"This is more work in school than she has ever done before," Hill said. "But her teacher meets with her every day after school and gets her started on her homework until I come to pick her up. They are so dedicated here."

Students wear school uniforms and attend classes for eight or more hours a day, compared to six hours in a traditional school setting. Students who are behind attend school for up to 10 hours a day through after-school programs, Principal Wayne Tanaka said.

Agassi said expectations are high for the students and he is very pleased with the progress made since the school opened. Located at 1201 West Lake Mead Boulevard, the school opened Aug. 30 with 150 students in grades three through five.

Tanaka also noted that the foundation remains committed to expanding the school up to grade 12 by 2008. An additional grade level is being added each year.

"It's overwhelming for me," Agassi said after the ceremony, which included the student choir singing to him the song, "Wind Beneath My Wings."

"What you have seen is just a sliver of the enthusiasm and passion Wayne Tanaka has. Everyone here works so hard."

Tanaka's main goal is to have every student go on to college. He also wants to build the school into a model that will be used nationally. The school has already built partnerships with educators throughout the country, including Harvard University.

The school and the university are sharing data, Tanaka said, and there is talk of an Agassi Prep teacher going there to study for a semester.

As a charter school, Agassi Prep is managed seperately from the Clark County School District, but still is monitored by the district and the Nevada Department of Education.

Perhaps the school's greatest achievement is instilling hope and a love of academics in the children, Tanaka said.

"We have awakened in them a dream," he said.