Education in Sidney
Sidney will have the newest high school in Nebraska in the fall of 2009 when a $17.3 million, 105,783 square foot state-of-the-art building opens. The multi-faceted school will offer the latest in technology advancements for education and has a first class multi-cultural fine art center attached. Sidney voters once again illustrated their progressive spirit with the approval of this bond issue.
All of Cheyenne County’s Public School Districts include: Sidney Public School, Sidney; Leyton Public School, Dalton and Gurley; Potter-Dix Public School, Potter and Dix; Lorenzo Public School, Sidney; District 77-Cheyenne County, Sidney; Creek Valley Public School, Lodgepole and Chappell.
Sidney Public Schools ACT scores ranked above the state and national averages in the latest testing. Consolidation of the rural schools has been very successful at Dalton-Gurley, Potter-Dix and Lodgepole-Chappell, enhancing rural educational opportunities for area students.
Sidney Public Schools has expanded and restructured its elementary school system. West Elementary built a new gymnasium. An industry technology program was established in the school system. The city and school district worked together to build a fiber option interconnection between schools that now allows 450 computers to be linked to the World Wide Web.
The district’s classroom teacher ratio average is 13:1, compared to the statewide average of 14:1. An outstanding staff of 100 teachers and 40 paraprofessionals deliver instruction for the 180 days that school is in session. Over 35% of all teachers possess Master’s degrees and over 90% are endorsed in their respective teaching fields.
The district enjoys strong parental and community support for education. A PAC (parent advisory council) is active at each elementary building, supplementing district programs and services.
Before, after, and summer school enrichment programs are well attended and integral to the Sidney educational experience. The Cool Kids Club is a K-3 enrichment program that operates both during the school year and six weeks during the summer. Students are exposed to a variety of exciting and educational activities including special classroom projects and field trips. The district partners with many businesses and other community agencies to provide an outstanding experience for children. The program is funded through a state 21st Century Learner grant that was awarded in 2005.
On the higher education front, Western Nebraska Community College built a new Sidney Center in a cooperative development effort with the city in 1995. WNCC is known for providing students with a great education at an affordable price. Today, WNCC offers more than 88 degree and certificate programs through a semester system. Committed to vocational and academic excellence, WNCC prepares students for success in the real world.
WNCC continues to strengthen its business relationship with area industries, such as the Cabela’s University Training Program, and has an established relationship with Chadron State College and the University of Nebraska regarding four-year degrees. WNCC and the community partnered together to build the new WNCC Aviation Maintenance School at the Sidney Municipal Airport. A community childcare development center opened in 2002 on campus and a nearby housing complex secured in 2006 serves as housing for the college students.
Quality childcare is the foundation to the educational future, and a concern for all parents. Over 25 registered day care providers can be found in Sidney, ranging from in-home providers to licensed facilities that can handle over 150 children. A major childcare expansion is scheduled by the Community Center in 2008. There are also a number of pre-schools in the area that provide quality education and activities to our area children.
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