Private Elementary School in Las Vegas (Grades 1–5)
Candil Hall Academy is a private elementary school in northwest Las Vegas for grades 1 through 5, on N. Rainbow Blvd. Our elementary teachers hold degrees in early childhood and elementary education, and lessons are aligned to the Nevada Academic Content Standards.
Teachers find each child’s instructional level and group students accordingly, then move the work ahead when a child is ready. Many of our students work above grade level. Core subjects are taught with Saxon Phonics, Saxon Math, Shurley English and Mystery Science, with Abeka Math in fifth grade. Families can enroll 2 to 5 days per week, and we accept transfers throughout the school year.
How Our Elementary Program Works
Character Education
Students in every grade have weekly lessons on respect, responsibility, empathy and honesty. Teachers reinforce the same values through the rest of the school day.
Specials and Enrichment:
Every elementary student has art, music and Spanish each week and physical education twice a week. Keyboarding is taught weekly with Typing Instructor for Kids, along with digital literacy. Details are in our specials program, and students can also join our athletics program.
What Students Learn in Each Grade
First Grade
First grade builds on the skills children learned in kindergarten. Teachers give students more independence each term, and lessons ask them to explain their thinking out loud.
Reading & Phonics
Saxon Phonics moves students from decoding single words to reading complete stories. Each lesson adds new vocabulary and longer sentence structures, so reading fluency grows steadily through the year. This lays the groundwork for reading comprehension in second grade.
Math
Saxon Math introduces core number concepts through interactive lessons. Students practice counting, number fluency and early problem solving, using hands-on materials before moving to written work.
Language Arts & Writing
Students learn the D’Nealian method of handwriting, which uses smooth, consistent strokes. Shurley English introduces grammar basics, and students begin writing complete sentences to express their own ideas.
Science & Social Studies
Mystery Science lessons are hands-on, with units on plant growth and animal habitats. In social studies, students learn about their community, including family roles, local helpers, and why cooperation and respect matter.
Second Grade
Second graders read more on their own and take more responsibility for their work. Teachers expect students to apply what they learned in first grade to new subjects.
Reading & Literature
Saxon Phonics continues as students start reading chapter books on their own. Class discussions focus on characters, plot and themes, and students practice sharing their ideas and listening to classmates.
Math
Saxon Math introduces multiplication, division and measurement. Lessons connect each concept to everyday problems, so students learn to think through a question before solving it.
Writing & Grammar
Students move from print to cursive using the D’Nealian method. Shurley English lessons teach more complex sentences, and students write simple paragraphs that tell a story or explain an idea.
Science & Social Studies
Mystery Science units cover ecosystems and electricity, with experiments that link classroom lessons to the world outside. Social studies begins American history and shows students how past events shape the present.
Third Grade
Third grade is the year students move from learning to read to reading to learn. Reading becomes a tool for every other subject, and students work more independently.
Reading & Literature
Students read chapter books and informational texts at a higher level. In literature circles, they discuss what they read, form their own opinions and consider other students’ views.
Math
Saxon Math covers multiplication, division and fractions, with regular problem-solving practice. Geometry lessons on area and perimeter show how math applies to the design of buildings and spaces.
Writing & Grammar:
Students learn to organize their ideas into multi-paragraph essays and narratives. Shurley English grammar lessons focus on sentence structure, which makes their writing clearer.
Science & Social Studies
Science moves into physical science, with experiments on force and motion. In social studies, students study American history in more depth, including the people and events that shaped the country.
Fourth Grade
Fourth graders apply their earlier skills to longer and more demanding work. Students begin research projects and study each subject in more depth.
Reading & Literature
Students read more advanced fiction and nonfiction. Reading projects ask them to analyze theme, character and the author’s purpose, and to connect what they read to the world around them.
Math
Saxon Math covers long division, decimals and fractions. Geometry lessons introduce angles and lines, with examples from architecture and art, which prepares students for more abstract math.
Language Arts & Writing
Students write persuasive essays, narrative stories and their first research projects. They learn basic research techniques, including how to look into a topic and present what they found clearly.
Science & Social Studies
Mystery Science covers earth, physical and life science. Students ask questions and answer them through observation and experiments. In social studies, they study U.S. history from the Constitution to the Civil War, and learn what it means to be an informed citizen.
Fifth Grade
As the final year of elementary school, fifth grade prepares students for the academic and social demands of middle school. Teachers expect students to work independently and think critically.
Reading & Advanced Literature
Fifth graders read more complex texts, including historical fiction and nonfiction. Class discussions on theme, character development and the author’s perspective prepare students for the analytical reading and writing expected in middle school.
Math
Abeka Math covers ratios, percentages and introductory algebra. Students solve multi-step word problems and apply math to real situations such as budgeting and reading data.
Writing & Research
Students write detailed essays, reports and creative stories. Shurley English lessons cover advanced grammar. Research projects teach students to gather information, evaluate sources and present their findings.
Science & Social Studies
Mystery Science units cover human body systems and basic chemistry, with hands-on experiments throughout. Social studies covers key events in American history, along with world history and geography.
How Candil Hall Compares With Other Las Vegas Elementary Schools
Most Las Vegas elementary schools are public schools run by the Clark County School District, which operates more than 230 of them. As a private elementary school in Las Vegas, Candil Hall differs from them in a few ways:
Class size: Our classes are kept small, so teachers know each student’s pace and where they need extra practice.
Curriculum: We choose our own programs and use the same named curriculum from first through fifth grade.
School day: Families choose 2 to 5 days per week, and campus is open from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm, so working parents can drop off early and pick up after work.
From Kindergarten to Middle School
Children who attend our private kindergarten in Las Vegas start first grade already familiar with Saxon Phonics, D’Nealian handwriting and Shurley English. Students who join from another school begin at their instructional level in each subject. By the end of fifth grade, students write multi-paragraph reports and research projects, and their math has reached ratios, percentages and early algebra. The Candil Hall curriculum explains the approach across all programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades does Candil Hall’s elementary school serve?
Grades 1 through 5. Toddler, preschool and kindergarten programs are on the same campus, so a child can stay at Candil Hall from 18 months through fifth grade.
Which reading and math programs are used in grades 1 to 5?
Saxon Phonics is used in first and second grade. From third grade, reading moves to chapter books, informational texts and literature circles. Math is taught with Saxon Math through fourth grade and Abeka Math in fifth grade. Grammar is taught with Shurley English in every grade.
Is Candil Hall a public or private elementary school?
Candil Hall Academy is a private school. It is not part of the Clark County School District, so it sets its own curriculum and class sizes.
When do students learn cursive?
In second grade. Students learn D’Nealian print in kindergarten and first grade, and its curved strokes lead directly into D’Nealian cursive.
Does the elementary program follow Nevada standards?
Yes. The curriculum is aligned to the Nevada Academic Content Standards, and the school teaches them through its own chosen programs, including Saxon, Shurley English and Mystery Science.
Discover the Candil Hall Difference
Candil Hall Academy is more than just a school — it’s a nurturing and engaging environment where students love to learn, friendships thrive, and every day is filled with meaningful discovery. As one of the best private schools in Las Vegas, we create a space where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential — academically, socially, and emotionally.