The Las Vegas Academy of Arts occupies the historic Las Vegas High School building, a beautiful Mission Revival-style structure that served as the city's main high school from 1930 until a new campus opened in 1993. Today it functions as a magnet school specializing in performing and visual arts, attracting talented students from across the Las Vegas Valley.
But according to countless students, teachers, and staff members over the decades, the Academy's current students aren't the only ones attending classes. The ghost of Mr. Petre, a beloved teacher from the school's earlier years, is said to still walk the hallways and watch over students from his favorite classroom. Even more unsettling are reports of child spirits—young workers from America's Industrial Revolution era whose lives were cut short by the brutal realities of child labor, and who somehow found their way to this place of learning they were denied in life.
The History of Las Vegas High School
The Las Vegas Academy building opened in 1930 as Las Vegas High School, serving as the city's primary secondary school during a period of tremendous growth. The beautiful Spanish Mission Revival architecture made it one of Las Vegas's most distinctive buildings, and for over 60 years it educated the children of this desert city.
Thousands of students passed through these halls, from the children of railroad workers and dam builders in the 1930s to the baby boomers of the 1960s and the children of casino workers in the 1980s. The building witnessed joy and tragedy—graduations and celebrations, but also accidents, illnesses, and the personal tragedies that touch every school community.
When a new Las Vegas High School campus opened in 1993, the historic building was transformed into the Las Vegas Academy of Performing and Visual Arts. The transition preserved the building's architectural heritage while adapting it for specialized arts education.
The Story of Mr. Petre
Among the many dedicated educators who taught at Las Vegas High School, Mr. Petre stands out—not just for his impact on students during his lifetime, but for his apparent refusal to leave even after death.
Mr. Petre was known as a passionate, caring teacher who genuinely loved education and his students. According to school legend, he spent countless hours after school helping struggling students, preparing lessons, and ensuring his classroom was a welcoming place of learning. Education wasn't just his profession—it was his calling.
When Mr. Petre died, students and staff were heartbroken. But many believe he never truly left. Shortly after his death, reports began of a male figure seen in the hallways after school, particularly near the classroom where Mr. Petre taught. Students would report feeling a comforting presence when studying late, as if someone was watching over them and willing them to succeed.
The Dark Legacy of Child Labor
The appearance of child spirits at the Academy connects to a darker chapter of American history—the Industrial Revolution's brutal exploitation of child labor. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, millions of children as young as five or six worked in factories, mines, and mills instead of attending school. Many died from accidents, disease, or the grueling conditions of industrial work.
These children were denied education, their childhoods stolen by poverty and greed. Some paranormal researchers believe that spirits of children who died during this era are drawn to schools—places representing the education and childhood they never experienced. The Las Vegas Academy, as a place of learning and creativity, may attract these lost spirits seeking what was taken from them.
The Spirits of the Academy
Students and staff at the Las Vegas Academy report paranormal experiences regularly. The phenomena range from benign—footsteps and doors opening—to unsettling encounters with full apparitions.
The Ghost of Mr. Petre
The most commonly reported spirit is Mr. Petre himself. Students and teachers describe seeing a well-dressed man in vintage clothing walking the hallways, particularly near the second-floor classrooms. The figure is most often seen in the late afternoon or early evening, when dedicated students stay late to practice or study.
Unlike many ghostly encounters, witnessing Mr. Petre's spirit is rarely frightening. Students report feeling encouraged and supported, as if an invisible mentor is watching over them. Some have reported feeling a gentle hand on their shoulder when stressed about an upcoming performance or exam, accompanied by an overwhelming sense that everything will be okay.
Teachers working late have reported finding classroom doors unlocked in the morning that they're certain they locked the night before, always in rooms where students had been struggling. It's as if Mr. Petre is still looking out for those who need extra help, ensuring they have access to the resources they need.
The Children in Outdated Clothing
More unsettling are the reports of child apparitions dressed in clothing from the late 1800s and early 1900s—simple, worn garments characteristic of working-class children from the Industrial Revolution era. These spirits are most commonly seen in hallways and empty classrooms, often appearing to be watching classes in session or wandering the halls as if searching for something.
Students have reported seeing groups of children in old-fashioned clothing sitting in empty auditorium seats during performances, watching intently. When approached, these figures fade away. Drama teachers have reported hearing the sound of children's laughter coming from the theater when no students are present.
Unlike Mr. Petre's comforting presence, encounters with these child spirits often leave witnesses feeling deeply sad, as if the children's unfulfilled longing for education and normalcy is palpable.
Phantom Footsteps and Closing Doors
The most frequently reported phenomena are phantom footsteps—the sound of someone walking the hallways when they're known to be empty. Custodians working night shifts report hearing what sounds like an entire school's worth of students walking between classes, complete with the echo of voices and locker doors closing, only to find the hallways completely deserted.
Classroom doors open and close on their own, particularly in the older sections of the building. Teachers have reported leaving a classroom, watching the door close behind them, and returning moments later to find it wide open. Security cameras have captured doors opening and closing with no one visible near them.
The Las Vegas Academy Today
The Las Vegas Academy of Arts continues to serve students as one of Nevada's premier magnet schools for performing and visual arts. The building is not generally open to the public, but its distinctive architecture can be admired from the street.
Our Ghosts of Las Vegas Tour shares the haunting stories of the Academy, including the touching tale of Mr. Petre and the tragic connection to child laborers from America's industrial past. Our guides explain how the school's paranormal activity reflects both personal dedication that transcends death and the lingering sadness of children denied the childhood and education they deserved.
Join our Ghosts of Las Vegas Tour to learn about Mr. Petre's eternal dedication to his students and discover why the spirits of exploited children are drawn to places of learning and creativity.
