Guest comment: School zoning plan fails our most vulnerable students 

At Smithridge Elementary School, 53% of students are English-language learners—the highest percentage in the Washoe County School District. This striking statistic reminds us that Smithridge serves some of the most vulnerable and low-income families in the Reno area. For these students, who often face numerous challenges, a quality education and supportive school environment can truly change the trajectory of their lives. 

For more than a decade, parts of the Smithridge community have been zoned to attend Damonte Ranch High School. In December 2019, the WCSD Zoning Advisory Committee reaffirmed this commitment by rezoning all of Smithridge to Damonte Ranch. The district entrusted Damonte Ranch with the critical role of supporting these at-risk students—and the school has risen to that challenge by building robust support systems and fostering an inclusive, nurturing environment. 

Now, the district is considering a proposal that would displace this community by moving Smithridge students to Wooster High School. At the February WCSD Zoning Advisory Committee meeting, three rezoning options were reviewed, and all three would shift students from Damonte Ranch to Wooster. This change does not simply represent a logistical tweak—it risks harming our most vulnerable students and further fracturing our community. 

This move will deepen existing divisions between lower-income and more affluent areas of Reno. Our district already faces stark contrasts: Galena High School, zoned exclusively for wealthier neighborhoods, is over 70% white, while Wooster High School, serving lower-income areas, is over 70% Hispanic. In contrast, Damonte Ranch High School is a model of diversity. Despite its location in an affluent part of south Reno, its student body is roughly 40% white and 40% Hispanic, reflecting the rich mosaic of our community. Removing Smithridge—a school that’s 73% Hispanic—from Damonte not only undermines the supportive ecosystem the school has developed, but also turns our schools into enclaves defined by socioeconomic and racial lines. 

The academic implications are equally alarming. Damonte Ranch has one of the best—if not the best—dual-credit programs in the school district, which allows students to take college classes for credit while still in high school through partnerships with the University of Nevada, Reno; Truckee Meadows Community College; and Western Nevada College. In 2023, 52.4% of Damonte Ranch graduates were dual-enrolled—an impressive figure that leads all traditional WCSD high schools. Research shows that participation in dual-credit programs increases college enrollment and completion rates. Moving Smithridge students to Wooster would effectively deprive them of the numerous opportunities they are given at Damonte Ranch. 

Moreover, a school’s environment is crucial to student success. Although Wooster has about 400 fewer students than Damonte, it has reported two to three times more violence-related incidents. While I am not suggesting that Wooster is inherently unsafe, these numbers are a stark indicator that shifting Smithridge students into an environment where they statistically will face higher levels of conflict and instability could further jeopardize their academic and personal growth. 

Some may argue that capacity constraints necessitate this change. However, this is not a capacity issue at all. Damonte Ranch currently enrolls approximately 1,700 students and was built to hold nearly 2,300. The proposed rezoning would reduce enrollment to around 1,400-1,500 students—around 60% of the school’s capacity—with long-term projections staying flat. As one of the newest high schools in our district, Damonte Ranch has ample space to continue serving Smithridge students while offering them a wealth of resources and opportunities. 

This zoning change is not just a matter of numbers or policy—it is a question of equity and fairness. By displacing Smithridge students, the district sends a troubling message: that the needs of our most vulnerable children are secondary to administrative convenience. Instead of breaking down barriers, this plan risks reinforcing the very divisions—socioeconomic and racial—that have long hindered the potential of so many. 

We cannot stand by and allow this inequitable plan to further divide our community. Now, we must make our voices heard. I urge every parent, community member and advocate to email Zoning@washoeschools.net and demand that Smithridge remain with Damonte Ranch. Additionally, please contact our board members at BoardMembers@washoeschools.net. Our board holds the final decision-making power. 

Together, we can ensure that all students will have the best shot to succeed. Our voices matter, and our actions today will shape the community we leave behind. 

Justin Solimine is a senior at Damonte Ranch High School and lives in the Neil Road/Smithridge area. He is the school’s Class of 2025 salutatorian and will be attending Yale University.