[momlady530]

I'm sure Nebraska schools in general are better than the vast majority of Southern schools, which I attended. I have a friend of a friend who attended Creighton and Midland Lutheran , so I know you guys have wonderful universities. We are just unsure of the whole big school thing. We have had the debate "big schools vs. small schools" with ourselves and neither side has won yet. Though my children are still young, I don't foresee school problems as we are very involved in their schooling. Thanks again for the wonderful information.
Wendi

[star_gazer]

I guess one of the social aspects I liked about the 'big' schools I attended was... if you found someone/some group you didn't care for/share anything in common with/etc... you could always find another one. Although having never been in a small school setting... I always wondered what you ended up doing if you never hit it off with the one or few established 'cliques'. Do you just go day after day being though of as the loner guy? There were so many, many different social groups in the schools I attended... while you generally knew the names of most of the kids in your class... you may have never spoken to many of them. If you think about it... it actually mirrors the social system we have in the surrounding 'big city' itself. I guess for someone coming from a place where 'everyone knew everyone'... I could see how it might be something of a shock... and likewise, knowing I would ultimately 'grow up' and be part of this bigger, dynamic world... I'm not sure I would have had it any other way. Alternatively, I suppose one could try to stay in that setting where 'everyone knows everyone'. Unfortunately, I think those places are becoming increasingly harder to find (even in eastern Nebraska).

[ehenningsen]

When I said unfair comparison, I was really just saying that OPS covers area's that these other districts don't cover.. OPS really is a fantastic option, if you decide that a big school district would work, this can be an option... OPS is a good district that covers ALL terrain..

[momlady530]

Originally Posted by star_gazer

I guess one of the social aspects I liked about the 'big' schools I attended was... if you found someone/some group you didn't care for/share anything in common with/etc... you could always find another one. Although having never been in a small school setting... I always wondered what you ended up doing if you never hit it off with the one or few established 'cliques'. Do you just go day after day being though of as the loner guy? There were so many, many different social groups in the schools I attended... while you generally knew the names of most of the kids in your class... you may have never spoken to many of them. If you think about it... it actually mirrors the social system we have in the surrounding 'big city' itself. I guess for someone coming from a place where 'everyone knew everyone'... I could see how it might be something of a shock... and likewise, knowing I would ultimately 'grow up' and be part of this bigger, dynamic world... I'm not sure I would have had it any other way. Alternatively, I suppose one could try to stay in that setting where 'everyone knows everyone'. Unfortunately, I think those places are becoming increasingly harder to find (even in eastern Nebraska).

I went to a large school and graduated with 420 other people. On the contrary, hubby graduated with 24 people in rural Kansas. I wouldn't wish that small of a school on my kids, but at the same time I felt like I could have easily been lost at my school. My hubby keeps telling my I'm over thinking the whole thing, but I just want to be as informed as possible.

[momlady530]

So I have yet another question. I've heard about this district 66. Is that a good school district? Where is this district?

[tpabes]

I believe that is Westside schools which is basically in the middle of Omaha, the main schools are located near 90th and Pacific. I have heard it is a good district, but I would be concerned that it is too far into the city for your communting purposes, unless you could live more near I-680.

[star_gazer]

Yeah, you're really pushing that 30 minute commute time if you're talking District 66... although it is arguably the best school district in the metro (of course I'm a biased Westside alum ).

[omielib]

Originally Posted by momlady530

So I have yet another question. I've heard about this district 66. Is that a good school district? Where is this district?

Hi momlady530. I moved my family to Omaha almost 2 years ago from small southern town and chose the Westside School District and have not regretted it. The elementary schools are quite small and are true neighborhood schools. My daughters started middle school and High School here. My husband and I are both educators and we are pleased with the curriculum and the quality of teachers they have both had thus far.

The downsides to District 66/Westside is that is it located in the "near west center of the city, running from 72nd to 120th street, roughly between Dodge and Center (south of center, too). The homes in the district are older (1950 -1970), seem to be more expensive than other areas and the property taxes are a bit higher, too. (That is a the result of community support for the school). The Middle and High Schools are quite large (approx 1000 students in each grade). My kids former schools had only 150 kids in their grade, but they have adjusted well and like the school.

All the metro schools have a optional enrollment period and I know several people who live outside the District 66 boundaries and their kids attend school there. I don't know know how long the wait is, however.

Good luck on your move.

[star_gazer]

Actually there's about 500 per class in District 66... although to someone from a small school district... that may not seem like much of a difference. It is worth mentioning that nearly 1/3rd of all District 66 students are 'option enrollment' students... meaning they are commuting into the district from other areas of the metro (for good reason... the district is very good).