The health class curriculum at Sierra Vista High School includes information on the basics of sex education, which includes human reproduction, sexually transmitted diseases, and the stages of pregnancy.

The classes emphasize abstinence, encouraging students to protect themselves by refraining from sexual activity. According to the Guttmacher Institute, schools in Nevada are required to teach sex education and HIV education, including stress on abstinence.

"Teachers can talk about contraceptives, but can’t show [videos]," said SVHS health teacher Lindsay Whalen.

Teachers may discuss methods of contraception, but it cannot be part of the curriculum. States actually receive more money from the federal government, something to the tune of $78,526 to $4.9 million over five years, for stressing abstinence in the curriculum.

According to website GreatSchools.com, "Students who get comprehensive sex education are half as likely to become teen parents as those who get abstinence-only instruction or no sex education."

Simply stated, students who were educated about methods of contraception were more likely to practice safe sex.

SVHS nurse Debra Minigal taught fifth grade developmental education at Lucille Rodgers Elementary School. She explained that school nurses are not allowed to give students contraceptives but are allowed to provide other information.

"The school nurse is able to give resources for reproductive health," said Minigal.

These resources include information on free health clinics, prenatal care, and family planning services.

Some students feel as if the education they received was lacking vital information.

"A growing teen is obviously curious and by instinct will explore [sex] themselves," said senior Jose Gutierrez. "There should be no issue on whether or not sex ed. is taught, especially since we have the Internet."

SVHS graduate and teacher Alanna Gallo took health class in 2003.

"The [health class] taught about diseases and abstinence," said Gallo. "Those are concepts students already know."