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Paving the Path to Success

The 2009-2010 school year opened with an exciting new opportunity for Millard upperclassmen—the chance to participate in one of three career academies. “The new academies provide a unique opportunity for our juniors and seniors to delve into a career field and earn college credit while they’re still in high school,” said Superintendent Keith Lutz.

At Millard West, academy students are exploring careers in education, creating and delivering lesson plans while completing entrance requirements for the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Education. At Millard South, entrepreneurship is the focus with an internship at a successful Omaha business. “Students are learning what’s involved in owning their own businesses and being their own bosses. They’re learning how to be profitable, innovative risk takers,” said Lutz.

The finance academy hosted at Millard North also offers a chance to work in one of Omaha’s thriving industries. “In Omaha, one in 12 workers are employed in the financial services industry,” said Lutz. “Our students are positioning themselves for success, learning how to analyze financial data and invest and manage money.”

Once accepted, students meet one-half of each day for two consecutive school years. The district will add career academies in 2010 with the opening of Millard Horizon High School at 204th and Q streets. The academies are just one way the district is ensuring that Millard students are prepared for life after high school. The district’s strategic plan calls for more high school students to sign up for Advanced Placement (AP) courses and take the AP exam for college credit.

Between 2006 and 2008, the number of AP test-takers in Millard jumped from 915 to 1,877. The most recent report by the College Board found that Millard high school students took 25 percent of the AP exams in the state, even though Millard accounts for only seven percent of Nebraska’s total high school enrollment.

Millard Public School District, a national Magna Award winner from the American School Board Journal, serves 22,000 students in its three high schools, six middle schools, and 25 elementary schools. Additional programs of choice include Millard’s Core Academy (a highly structured environment for elementary students) as well as Montessori and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Elementary and middle school Montessori allows students to develop individual interests while progressing academically at their own pace. IB students complete a challenging curriculum with an international studies focus.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

To get a first-hand view of the challenges and rewards of being a school administrator, 86 business leaders representing 68 companies served as Principals for a Day® in area schools in February 2009.

The Greater Omaha Chamber shadowing program—designed to enhance the communication and partnership between business and education—pairs business leaders with elementary, middle and high school principals to share ideas and experiences and gain a true understanding of a school administrator’s responsibilities.

Participating school districts included the Archdiocese of Omaha, Millard Public Schools, Omaha Public Schools, Papillion-La Vista Public Schools, Ralston Public Schools and Westside Community Schools. The program is sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Omaha 21st Century: Education and Workforce Development Council and the Richard and Mary Holland Foundation.

The Chamber has a companion program, “A Corporate Experience for Educators,” that brings school principals into businesses to give them a chance to see the relevance of what is taught in the classroom.

Terry Kroeger, CEO and publisher of the Omaha World-Herald, and chair of the Chamber’s Omaha 21st Century Council, told participants at the close of the 2008 event, “Business people want to help. Ask your partner for what you need.”

A Corporate Experience for Educators is sponsored by the Omaha 21st Century Council.