Southern Highlands for Families: Schools, Parks & Activities (2025)

by Ryan Rose

Southern Highlands offers families a safe, amenity-rich community with parks, pools, and recreational facilities, though school quality varies and many residents opt for private education. Located in southwest Las Vegas with quick access to hiking, shopping, and entertainment, Southern Highlands attracts families seeking upscale living with outdoor lifestyle. This guide covers what families need to know about schools, activities, and daily life in Southern Highlands.

Schools Serving Southern Highlands

Southern Highlands is served by Clark County School District (CCSD). School quality is mixed—some families are satisfied with zoned schools while others choose private options. Always verify current zoning for specific addresses.

Zoned Public Schools

Important: School zones change. Always verify current zoning through CCSD's official school zoning tool before purchasing. Homes on the same street may have different school assignments.

Private School Options

Many Southern Highlands families choose private schools. Convenient options include:

Henderson International School: IB program, 15 minutes
Bishop Gorman High School: Catholic college prep, 15-20 minutes
Pinecrest Academy: Charter, multiple locations
Coral Academy: Charter, multiple locations
Faith Lutheran: K-12 Lutheran, Summerlin area (20+ minutes)
The Meadows School: Elite K-12, Summerlin (25+ minutes)

Parks and Recreation

Community Parks

Southern Highlands features multiple community parks maintained by the HOA, providing green space and play areas throughout the development:

Numerous pocket parks: Scattered throughout neighborhoods with grass, benches, shade
Playground equipment: Multiple locations with age-appropriate structures
Basketball courts: Available in select park areas
Walking paths: Connected trail system throughout community
Dog parks: Dedicated off-leash areas

Pools and Community Centers

Southern Highlands maintains community pools accessible to all residents. Pool access is included in HOA fees:

Multiple community pools throughout the development
Seasonal operation (typically March-October)
Family-friendly environments with varying depths
Shade structures and seating areas

Nearby Recreation

Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area: Hiking trails, 15-20 minutes
Mountain's Edge Regional Park: Sports fields, playground, 10 minutes
Exploration Peak Park: Mountain trails, 15 minutes
Red Rock Canyon: World-class hiking, 30 minutes

Family-Friendly Amenities

Shopping and Dining

Southern Highlands Marketplace: Grocery, restaurants, services within community
St. Rose Parkway retail: Target, restaurants, services, 5-10 minutes
Town Square Las Vegas: Outdoor mall, entertainment, 10-15 minutes
Galleria at Sunset: Indoor mall, Henderson, 15-20 minutes

Youth Activities

Youth sports leagues: AYSO soccer, Little League, basketball through local organizations
Dance and gymnastics: Multiple studios in nearby shopping centers
Martial arts: Several dojos and training centers nearby
Golf instruction: Junior programs at Southern Highlands Golf Club
Swimming lessons: Available at various facilities

Safety and Community

Southern Highlands benefits from multiple security layers:

Community patrol: HOA-funded security patrols throughout the master plan
Guard-gated sections: 24/7 staffed gates in premium neighborhoods
Low crime rates: Master-planned communities have lower crime than valley average
Neighborhood watch: Active resident engagement
Well-lit streets: Consistent street lighting throughout

Southern Highlands vs Other Family Communities

vs Summerlin

Summerlin has better public school options and more walkable amenities (Downtown Summerlin). Southern Highlands offers lower prices for similar homes and shorter commute to airport/Strip. For families prioritizing public schools, Summerlin typically wins. For those using private schools, Southern Highlands offers better value.

vs Henderson (Anthem/Cadence)

Henderson communities like Anthem and Cadence have comparable or better schools and Henderson's city services. Southern Highlands offers golf lifestyle and mountain proximity. Henderson provides more new construction options and family-focused community design. Both are excellent family choices—Henderson schools give it an edge for many families.

Best Neighborhoods for Families

Roma Hills: Family-friendly production homes, $550K-$850K, good parks access
Sorrento: Single-family homes, $550K-$800K, family atmosphere
Bella Fiore: Upscale single-family, $600K-$900K, larger lots
Tuscan Cliffs: Semi-custom homes, $700K-$1.2M, gated security

The Bottom Line

Southern Highlands works well for families who plan to use private schools or are satisfied with average-rated public options. The community provides excellent parks, pools, safety, and outdoor recreation access. Families prioritizing top public schools may find better options in Summerlin or Henderson. For golf-loving families or those with private school plans, Southern Highlands delivers upscale community living at competitive prices.

I help families find the right community based on school priorities, budget, and lifestyle. If you want to evaluate Southern Highlands alongside other family-friendly areas, reach out for personalized guidance.

Ready to explore southwest Las Vegas? Call or text Ryan Rose at 702-747-5921 for a neighborhood tour.

Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Highlands for Families

Q1: What schools serve Southern Highlands?

Southern Highlands is served by Clark County School District (CCSD). Zoned schools typically include Wright Elementary or Triggs Elementary, Faiss Middle School, and either Coronado High or Sierra Vista High School. School quality is mixed—average to above average—and many families choose private schools like Henderson International School, Bishop Gorman, or charter options like Pinecrest Academy. Always verify current school zoning through CCSD's official tool before purchasing, as zones can change.

Q2: Are the public schools in Southern Highlands good?

Public school quality in Southern Highlands is mixed. Most zoned schools receive average ratings, with Coronado High performing above average. Many families are satisfied with these schools, while others opt for private or charter alternatives. If top-rated public schools are your priority, communities like Summerlin or Henderson (Anthem, Cadence) typically offer stronger public school options. Southern Highlands works best for families planning to use private schools or those comfortable with average-rated public options.

Q3: What parks and recreational facilities are available in Southern Highlands?

Southern Highlands features numerous community parks maintained by the HOA, including multiple pocket parks with playgrounds, basketball courts, walking paths, and dedicated dog parks. The community also maintains several pools throughout the development (seasonal operation, March-October) included in HOA fees. Nearby recreation includes Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (15-20 minutes), Mountain's Edge Regional Park (10 minutes), and Red Rock Canyon (30 minutes) for hiking and outdoor activities.

Q4: Is Southern Highlands safe for families?

Yes, Southern Highlands is considered very safe for families. The community benefits from HOA-funded security patrols, 24/7 guard-gated sections in premium neighborhoods, well-lit streets, and active neighborhood watch programs. Master-planned communities like Southern Highlands typically have lower crime rates than the Las Vegas valley average. The combination of security measures and engaged residents creates a family-friendly, secure environment.

Q5: What activities are available for kids in Southern Highlands?

Southern Highlands offers diverse youth activities including AYSO soccer, Little League baseball, basketball leagues, dance and gymnastics studios, martial arts training centers, golf instruction through the Southern Highlands Golf Club junior programs, and swimming lessons at various facilities. The community pools, parks, and playgrounds provide daily recreational options, while nearby shopping centers and entertainment venues offer additional family activities.

Q6: How does Southern Highlands compare to Summerlin for families?

Summerlin generally offers better public school options and more walkable amenities like Downtown Summerlin. Southern Highlands provides lower prices for similar homes and shorter commutes to the airport and Strip. For families prioritizing public schools, Summerlin typically wins. However, for those planning to use private schools, Southern Highlands offers better value with similar upscale amenities, parks, and outdoor recreation access at more competitive prices.

Q7: What's included in Southern Highlands HOA fees?

Southern Highlands HOA fees cover access to multiple community pools, maintenance of numerous parks and common areas, community security patrols, walking paths, playgrounds, dog parks, and landscaping of community spaces. Pool access is seasonal (typically March-October) and included for all residents. Individual gated neighborhoods may have additional HOA fees for 24/7 guard gate staffing and neighborhood-specific amenities.

Q8: What are the best family-friendly neighborhoods within Southern Highlands?

Top family-friendly neighborhoods include Roma Hills (production homes, $550K-$850K, excellent parks access), Sorrento (single-family homes, $550K-$800K, family atmosphere), Bella Fiore (upscale single-family, $600K-$900K, larger lots), and Tuscan Cliffs (semi-custom homes, $700K-$1.2M, gated with enhanced security). These neighborhoods offer varying price points while providing good park access, family-oriented environments, and safe streets.

Q9: Is Southern Highlands close to shopping and amenities for families?

Yes, Southern Highlands offers convenient family amenities including Southern Highlands Marketplace within the community (grocery, restaurants, services), St. Rose Parkway retail (Target, restaurants, 5-10 minutes), Town Square Las Vegas (outdoor mall and entertainment, 10-15 minutes), and Galleria at Sunset mall in Henderson (15-20 minutes). The location provides quick access to daily necessities and entertainment without long drives.

Q10: Should families choose Southern Highlands if public schools are a priority?

If top-rated public schools are your highest priority, communities like Summerlin or Henderson (Anthem, Cadence) may be better choices, as they typically offer stronger public school options. Southern Highlands works best for families planning to use private or charter schools, or those satisfied with average-rated public schools. The community excels in parks, safety, amenities, and value, making it ideal for families whose school plans include private education or who prioritize other factors alongside adequate public school options.