A student’s high school experience sets them up for success - it is the beginning of their story. The experience should allow students to gain skills that will be practical in any career field while exploring career interests in fun and engaging ways. The Omaha Public Schools is excited to announce the evolution of high school programming in our district, The Omaha Public Schools College & Career Academies and Pathways. In fall 2021, the Freshman Academy was implemented. The Board of Education approved the proposal for the College & Career Academies and Pathways soon afterward. College & Career Academies and Pathways will be implemented beginning in the Fall of 2022. 

The Omaha Public Schools College & Career Academies and Pathways comes after an evaluation and refocus of current programming. It builds on what has been working well and where we can grow. It ensures students gain real-world career experience while maintaining the foundation of core classes and access to advanced academics, fine arts and electives.

During their Freshman year, students will select an academy or a pathway at their school. Students in both academies and pathways take their core classes (English, math, social studies and science) along with career-focused classes and electives. Student choices are what determine the differences in the high school experience. To understand the options, we have provided a definition below:

• Academies are a small learning community with a career focus. Groups of students with similar career interests take classes together. Career-focused classes proceed from one to the next in a series.
• Pathways are a series of four or more classes focused on a group of related careers, or cluster. Students in a pathway take classes with a wide range of other students across career interests.