Leadership & Faculty Home / About Us / Leadership & Faculty Dedicated Leaders & Expert Teachers At our school, everyone works together to make sure students and families feel happy and supported. Our leaders, staff, and teachers are all here to help. Our teachers love sharing what they know, whether it’s about reading, music, or outer space! They make learning fun and exciting, helping students explore new things and find what they love. Together, we create a special place where students can grow and learn every day. From the Head of School Kacey Chong Dear Future Southern Highlands Prep Family, One of my favorite moments each year is watching our middle school students walk into orientation for the first time. They start the evening a little unsure of themselves, standing close to their parents or quietly looking around the room. An hour later, they are laughing through a scavenger hunt, sharing pizza, and already starting to feel like they belong. That shift — from uncertain to at home — is something we work toward every single day. Southern Highlands Preparatory School has been part of the Las Vegas community since 2003. We are Cognia-accredited, a 2026 A+ Niche School, and built on the belief that strong relationships and serious academics belong together. Eighty percent of our teachers have 15 or more years of experience — they know what growth looks like and how to get a student there. As a result, our 8th-grade graduates can leave with up to two high school credits — and our priority acceptance partnership with Bishop Gorman High School speaks to the caliber of students we send their way. You will hear our students say, “Griffins lead with heart,” and that genuinely guides everything we do. It shows up in how teachers greet students by name, how older students help younger ones feel welcome, and in how we think about service. Our long-standing partnership with the American Heart Association has earned us recognition as a top two donor in the West — a reflection of how deeply our community takes civic responsibility to heart. Every student participates in community outreach because we believe civic-mindedness is something you build, not something you announce. When I walk through classrooms, each one feels like its own small family. Students ask questions, take risks, and speak up when they need help. That kind of trust takes time, and it is one of the reasons so many families stay for years. In most of our graduating eighth-grade classes, there will be several students who have been with us since they were two years old. Our traditions are part of the fabric here. Fourth graders host a poetry tea. Fifth graders transform into historical figures for the wax museum. Students compete in First Lego League, the Scripps Writing Bee, GeoQuest, the UNLV Science Fair, and more. And some of our loudest, happiest nights are family events — Boo Bash, Spirit Days, the Kids Heart Challenge — that bring together hundreds of parents, students, and staff. If you visit, I hope you will walk the hallways while classes are in session. Listen to the conversations. Watch how teachers greet students by name. That is usually the moment families understand what makes this place feel different. I would love to show you around. Warmly, Kacey Chong Head of School Southern Highlands Preparatory School Read More Browse By Role All Roles Faculty Leadership Search Erica Garrison Kindergarten Erica Garrison Kindergarten Email Ryanne Kelly 4th Grade Teacher Ryanne Kelly 4th Grade Teacher Email Erica Pepper Fifth Grade Erica Pepper Fifth Grade Email Hailey Maas Athletic Director Hailey Maas Athletic Director Email Victoria Rodriguez Support Staff Victoria Rodriguez Support Staff Email Kimberly Campos Specialty Teacher Kimberly Campos Specialty Teacher Email Chloe Giordano Support Staff Chloe Giordano Support Staff Email Stacey Ballard First Grade Stacey Ballard First Grade Email Kacey Chong Head of School Kacey Chong Head of School Email Lauren Cinadr 2nd Grade Lauren Cinadr 2nd Grade Email Doug Coombs K-8 Art Doug Coombs K-8 Art Email April Coulter 3rd Grade Teacher April Coulter 3rd Grade Teacher Email Kim Dozier Fourth Grade Kim Dozier Fourth Grade Email Meagan Floyd Office Administrator Meagan Floyd Office Administrator Email Ileana Freisleben Middle School Spanish Ileana Freisleben Middle School Spanish Email Linda Gambon Director of Admissions Linda Gambon Director of Admissions Email Page 1 of 2 Jump to Page Page 1 Page 2 Learn More About SHPS Teachers What is the professional background and credentials of the faculty at Southern Highlands Prep? Our faculty consists of highly qualified educators who hold degrees in their respective fields, with many possessing advanced certifications and specialized training. They are experts in delivering a rigorous curriculum while focusing on the development of the whole child. How does Southern Highlands Prep invest in its teachers’ ongoing growth? We maintain a deep commitment to lifelong learning through regular coaching and professional development. Our teachers participate in ongoing training focused on data-driven instruction, student engagement, and the latest instructional best practices. Do you have long-standing faculty and staff at Southern Highlands Prep? Yes. We are proud to have a dedicated team of long-standing faculty and staff members who have deep roots in our school. This longevity provides a consistent, stable environment for our students and allows our educators to build lasting, meaningful relationships with families over many years. What makes teachers at Southern Highlands Prep exceptional? What sets our teachers apart is the balance of high academic expectations and genuine care. They lead with heart, providing the individualized support necessary for every student to feel confident and challenged. By creating engaging, student-centered classrooms, our faculty ensures that every child is inspired to succeed.
