[art-lover67]

Hi again everyone. So, I had a chat with the OPS Magnet School coordinator this morning, and she spoke very positively about the magnet school curricula at both North and South high schools... BUT, she also mentioned that there is some gang activity at both schools. This threw me for a loop.

Does anyone know how bad this gang activity is? Is there a lot of violence associated with it? And most importantly, would you send your kids to either of these schools and still feel confident that they would be safe?

Thanks so much in advance for your opinions.

[tpabes]

I have no experience with those schools, but from what I have heard, I would rather send my kids to Omaha Central over North or South. Central is the largest high school in Nebraska, is extremely diverse, and is a good school.

I would guess that the gang activity would be worse at North, because that is closer to the area that has the most gang violence.

[DTO Luv]

I went to both schools so I will give you my take on them and the "gang problem" when I get home.

[buffy888]

I taught at what was considered an "inner city" Catholic school in Omaha. Some of our students lived near - or had family near - South. They did mention knowledge of some gang activity, specifically MS-13, but I can't say for sure whether this was truly gang activity or more "wannabe" stuff.

I would be comfortable sending a child to South, but that is because I know people in the area (both residents that have moved in over the past decade or so as well as families that have lived there since the 50s) as well as people who choose to send their kids to South. I am not as familiar with North, so I would not want to make a judgment on it without having true personal knowledge about it.

[kdbrich]

Personally, I'd rather send my kid to Millard Schools.

[camping!]

I lived by South High School about 15 years ago.....for what its worth, the neighborhood had more than its fair share of Cholos. They mainly stuck to tagging, but once in awhile we would hear gunshots at night. There were no drivebys or anything like that.
Good luck with your search!

[Raphael07]

Originally Posted by tpabes

I have no experience with those schools, but from what I have heard, I would rather send my kids to Omaha Central over North or South. Central is the largest high school in Nebraska, is extremely diverse, and is a good school.

I would guess that the gang activity would be worse at North, because that is closer to the area that has the most gang violence.

Millard north is largest school in the state with almost 4000 people

[yman97]

I attended Omaha North for four years (graduated in 1996) and never saw any gang problems. The school is not located in a great neighborhood and there may be some gang activity in a few of the surrounding neighborhoods but not in the school. In fact, Omaha North was once considered to be one of the best public high schools in the country. The school offers a lot of classes that other schools don't. I was able to take Auto CAD for four years and at that time, I believe it was the only school in NE that offered four years worth of classes. I also worked on the newspaper and yearbook and they were both among the best in the state.

I would say to be leary of the neighborhoods but the're should be no reason to go into them especially if you're driving or taking the bus. My personal experience at the school was excellent and there isn't another school I would rather attend in the state. I don't know anything about Omaha South. Let me know if you have specific questions about North.

[art-lover67]

Originally Posted by yman97

I attended Omaha North for four years (graduated in 1996) and never saw any gang problems. The school is not located in a great neighborhood and there may be some gang activity in a few of the surrounding neighborhoods but not in the school. In fact, Omaha North was once considered to be one of the best public high schools in the country.

Hi! Thanks so much. It's funny, I hear great things about the school from people with kids at North or alumni, but a lot of people are afraid of the area, alluding to drive-by shootings, which we do have here in parts of Boston.

I have a 15 yr old son who wants to be a physicist. He already got an 800 on the math portion of the SATs. Do you think North will have classes that will challenge him?

Most importantly, would you send your kids there? Thanks for your help.

[DTO Luv]

I used to live 2 blocks away from North and attended high school there. I would feel fine with my kids going there.