On first glance, this scene features all the hallmarks of small-group instruction — a teacher working directly with several students who are on the same academic level. And it is. But in this classroom, the learning style is by geographic necessity, not purely pedagogical choice.

On a corner lot next to Little League fields, the walls forming a new school have taken root. The one-story building shines bright against the backdrop of Pinyon Juniper-dotted mountains to the east.

In a state as geographically diverse as Nevada, a perception exists that it's an urban-versus-rural or north-versus-south education landscape, where every school district fends for itself. Yes, tug-of-wars exist, especially when dollars are at stake. The ongoing development of the state's new education funding formula certainly will expose some of those cracks. But there's also under-the-radar partnerships between school districts and benevolent community members that extend the proverbial helping hand.