The Meadows School celebrates 25 years

By Ashley Livingston

Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 | 10 p.m.

Looking at its multi-building, tree-lined Summerlin campus, it’s hard to imagine The Meadows School’s humble inception.

The school, which was the first nonprofit, nonsectarian, college-preparatory academy in Las Vegas, opened in a portable building set in the lot of a vacant car dealership in 1984.

Friday night, the school hosted “Fare to Remember,” an event that kicked off a yearlong celebration of its 25th anniversary. Alumni, faculty, parents and current students ate, mingled and investigated a timeline of the school’s history. The timeline had both text and historical photos to highlight key moments in the school’s past.

The school was relocated in 1988 from its temporary location on Meadows Lane, near U.S. 95 and Decatur Boulevard, to donated land in what was to become Summerlin.

Kindergarten teacher Linda Verbon, who was one of the first teachers hired at the school, recalled the early days before Summerlin was the sprawling urban area it is today.

“I remember when we had to drive across the desert to get to the school,” she said. “I’ve been able to see (the campus) grow.”

When asked if she ever imagined the campus that exists today, Carolyn Goodman, the school’s founder (and wife of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman), said, “I foresaw a school for sure. I never thought it would end up quite so beautiful.”

As for what the future holds, Meadows Headmaster Henry Chanin said the campus isn’t quite finished.

In the next couple of years, the locker room will be replaced with a more modern facility and an auxiliary gym may be added, he said.

Celebrations of the school’s anniversary will continue throughout the year, ending with a gala dinner in May.