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Staying True to its Mission, Ensuring Academic Excellence

Ensuring academic excellence and serving the unique needs of all learners is the mission of Westside Community Schools, a nationally-acclaimed public school district in the heart of Omaha. Jacquie Estee, superintendent of Westside Community Schools said, “Our community, parents, staff and students all work together to create a world-class program.”

Innovation is a trademark, whether it’s breaking ground in the area of early childhood education or supporting the most up-to-date programs like full-day kindergarten, elementary foreign language and modular scheduling, and the district’s one-to-one laptop initiative for students in grades 8-12. For the second year in a row, Westside High School was named an “Apple Distinguished School,” one of just 18 in the nation, for its pioneering use of technology in the classroom.

“Westside’s goal is to create well-educated, engaged students who are able to live and work in a global economy,” said Estee. “Westside encourages exploration and problem- solving.”

Eighty-five percent of Westside High’s class of 2008 completed the ACT-defined CORE curriculum in math, science, English and social studies. Westside’s ACT scores are among the highest in the metro and the state. Sixty-seven percent of Westside teachers and administrators have master’s, specialist or doctoral degrees. Six Westside teachers are nationally certified. As a matter of course, Westside provides ongoing, embedded staff development opportunities for its teachers. “Our teachers learn at a high level to help our students learn at a high level,” said Estee.

Westside High School is traditionally a state leader in the percentage of its graduates recognized as National Merit Scholars. The district serves more than 6,000 students combined in its high school, middle school and 10 neighborhood elementary schools.