The Clark County School District operates the educational and vocational programs at High Desert State Prison. The education program includes eight (8) classrooms and two (2) libraries. The district provides 10 staff including a principal to the program. Current Enrollment: 247. During the 2000-2001 school year, a total of 545 inmates completed a total of 1183 units.

Diplomas granted in 2001: 36 G.E.D. certificates awarded in 2001: 58 There are several college classes being offered by the Community College of Southern Nevada in the following subjects: English, Psychology 101, Management 101, Sociology 101, Computer Information Technology, Astronomy, Math, Air Conditioning, and Study Skills. They also have students enrolled in an independent History study. 76 inmates are enrolled in these college programs. In 2001, two (2) students earned an Associate of Arts in General Studies with four (4) students nominated for the millennium scholarships.

In addition to the school districts program, the department provides a Literacy Program to provide inmates with skills to qualify for enrollment in the high school diploma or G.E.D. programs. In addition to a professional staff member, the Literacy Program trains and uses inmate tutors. There are currently 326 inmates enrolled and several inmate tutors in the Literacy Program at the High Desert State Prison. Beginning July 2, 2001, the Literacy Program introduced a summer school program that provides courses in Spanish, Commercial Drivers License and Computer Literacy. In January of 2002, High Desert State Prison via the Law Offices of the Federal Public Defender's Office in Las Vegas will embark in a pilot training program for inmate law clerks. This program will help the inmates in assisting other inmates to prepare state post-conviction petitions.