I live in Carson City, NV which is just South of Reno. I recently coordinated a meeting with the Washoe gifted coordinator (who is also the SWAS principal) and some administrators from our district because I am interested in the potential of bringing something like the SWAS to my son's school. We toured the SWAS at Hunsberger and I was impressed. When we entered the room, the students (3/4 grade) were conducting their own socratic seminar and after they were done, we had some discussion with them. Many of the students talked about what they liked about the program - mostly that they feel like the work fits them. The Washoe district is light years ahead of Carson City in terms of gifted thinking - maybe because they have to compete with DA on some level or maybe because they truly believe in meeting each child at his or her readiness level.
If you want more info generally about Nevada and/or any other impressions I may have had, please feel free to PM me.
