The Educator Who Bought Her Own School

The business

Creative World Children’s Academy sits on Warren Way in Reno and serves children ages 2 to 5. It has built a reputation for preparing students through a hands-on, student-centered approach.

The deal

Elizabeth Rayburn had spent more than 20 years in education before taking ownership of the facility. The $2.33 million project was financed through Nevada State Development Corporation in partnership with Western Alliance Bank. Owners Elizabeth and Jeremy Rayburn can now shape the school’s future with long-term stability.

Why it mattered locally

KOLO 8 News covered the purchase. A preschool is one of the businesses a neighborhood plans around — parents arrange work and childcare years ahead — and a lease renewal can unsettle all of it. Ownership takes that risk off the table for the families as much as for the school.

“When experienced educators take ownership of the environments they’ve dedicated their careers to, it creates a powerful ripple effect for students and families.”

Sandy Gordon, VP and Business Development Officer, NSDC

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