Curriculum and Instruction Support
High School Gifted and Talented Education
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As students enter high school, they can enhance not only their academic skills but all capitalize on their strengths by participating in interest opportunities. We strive to encourage students to develop as independent learners and make decisions based on their readiness, interest and goals.
In high school, Gifted and Talented students can pick from a variety of classes to determine what best meets their needs. All Omaha Public Schools high schools offer honors, advanced placement and special interest courses. Omaha Public Schools offers more advanced placement courses than any other district in the state!
Honors classes provide opportunities for students to take more challenging courses. Students who take honors courses strive for more in-depth coursework and know the expectation is higher. The courses are designed for students who have demonstrated an advanced level of interest and achievement.
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are approved by the College Board. College-level courses are taught using college methods, textbooks, expectations, assignments and tests. It is expected that students will take the AP exam at the conclusion of the course.
Special Interest classes are available for students to explore individual interests. Every high school offers a unique variety of special interest classes. These courses can be selected as electives.
Outside of the classroom, students can participate in a variety of organizations and clubs that enhance their skills.
Advanced Placement Scholars
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At the end of each Advanced Placement course, students are expected to take the Advanced Placement exam. Their score determines if they receive college credit for the course. Students may also receive additional recognition as part of the Advanced Placement Scholars. The AP Scholar Awards recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through advanced placement courses and exams. There is no monetary award, but the recognition is sent to the student's future college in the fall.
AP Scholar Awards
There are two steps to calculating the awards: First, the student's average Advanced Placement grade is determined based on all exams taken this year and in previous years. Second, the student's exam grades are checked to see which ones count toward the various awards (e.g., an exam with a grade of 3 does not count toward a National AP Scholar Award). A student must meet all criteria to be eligible; e.g., a student who has a 3.25 AP grade average but only received a 3 or higher on three exams will not receive the AP Scholar with Honor Award because the minimum requirement is four or more exams.- AP Scholar Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
- AP Scholar with Honor Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
- AP Scholar with Distinction Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
- AP State Scholar Granted to the one male and one female student in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia with grades of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP exams and then the highest average grade (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken.
- National AP Scholar Granted to students in the United States who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.
Advanced Placement FAQ
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How much does it cost to take an AP Exam?
The cost is $96 per exam. The State of Nebraska has a High Ability Learner grant that greatly reduces the cost for students who qualify for the Federal Lunch Program (free or reduced lunch). Qualifying students should contact their corresponding coordinator.
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Should I send in a deposit even if I’m not sure?
Students should consult with their AP instructor as the deposit deadline nears. If you are still undecided on paying by the deposit deadline day, it is recommended to pay the non-refundable deposit (avoiding the College Board late fee) to ensure that an exam is available if you later decide to take the exam.
Students who pay the non-refundable deposit but later decide to not take an exam should notify the school’s AP coordinator about their decision. No deposits can be refunded as the College Board charges participating schools for unused exams.
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What if I am not sure if I am prepared to take the exam?
There are several good indicators of how well you might perform on an exam. Your coursework and achievement level at your school is the best predictor of your potential success.
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What if I need special accommodations for the AP Exam?
The College Board encourages all students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum to be considered for AP courses and exams. Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations on an AP exam. These accommodations include extended time, nonstandard-format exams, permission to use certain Braille devices and/or a sign language interpreter to give directions.
An Eligibility Form must be submitted for each student requesting accommodations. Coordinators may not provide testing accommodations for students with disabilities until the College Board has approved the Eligibility Forms. Therefore, please submit requests for special accommodations by early to mid-January. The College Board has more information about this process.
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What is an AP Scholar?
The designation of AP Scholar by the College Board recognizes students for their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement program exams. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on student's performance on AP exams.
National AP Scholar is the highest honor bestowed by the College Board. Students qualify by earning an average grade of at least 4.0 on 8 or more exams.
AP Scholar with Distinction is one of the highest honors bestowed by the College Board. Students qualify by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
AP Scholar with Honor requires an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
The AP Scholar Award is bestowed on students completing three or more AP exams, with grades of three or higher. Students honored as juniors, with AP college-level work this year, can earn another AP Scholar Award their senior year.
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What is the timeline for registering and taking an AP exam?
Note: Please check with your student’s AP coordinator for specific dates. Dates and times may vary at each school.
Late February prior to AP Course: Homeroom to distribute registration materials to students that qualify for AP coursework.
May prior to Fall AP Course: Some AP teachers may contact registered students for AP course(s) summer assignments. To be sure, ask your AP teacher.
Late March prior to Fall AP Course: Senior high course registration
August: Begin AP course.
October: In most cases, information is provided to parents through the student’s school newsletter. Check with your AP coordinator.
End of January: Deadline to contact your participating senior high coordinator regarding the need for testing accommodations. The College Board has more information about this process.
January or early February: “Bulletin for AP Students and Parents” distributed to current AP students.
Mid-February: AP Exam registration information distributed to students and posted on their school website.
Mid-February: Students who qualify for Fee Reduction receive notification from participating schools' AP coordinators.
Late-February: Omaha Public Schools Advanced Placement Program honors-level students receive information distributed to each honors-level student, grades 9 through 11.
Early March: Deadline for qualifying students to request Fee Reduction. Students with free and reduced lunch automatically qualify for the fee reduction if they submit the non-refundable deposit.
Mid-March: Deadline for all students to submit non-refundable deposit for each AP exam.
Late March: Students receive confirmation letter noting deposit(s) paid, exam registrations, amount due and test schedule.
Mid-April: Late fee deadline for any student wishing to register for an exam (non-refundable deposit, plus a $50 late fee assessed by the College Board).
Late April: Students receive a reminder letter from AP coordinator notating report time, room location and amount due.
Day of Exam: Deadline to turn in the balance due for exam.
Mid-July following exam: Results sent to students (and university, if requested)
Mid-October following exam: AP Scholars announced by the College Board
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What Universities accept AP Credit?
Most universities and colleges have granted (with approved transcripts) credit and/or upper-level placement to students entering with successful AP exam scores since the 1950s.
Please be aware of the recent trend for some colleges to assess a fee ($10 - $75 per course) to first-year college students for translating their successful AP exam to the qualifying course(s) (official transcript) for college records. Regardless, the total cost for the AP Exam and fee remains less than the costs and fees associated with the course taken through the university.
The College Board has links to many university websites' AP Credit Policy pages.
Regional and Local University AP Credit and course equivalencies:
University of Nebraska Lincoln
University of Nebraska Omaha
Creighton University -
When and where are the AP Exams?
Start and release times are dictated by The College Board. The College Board also has a full testing calendar available for review. For a timeline specific to your high school, please call the school or visit their website.
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Will my future university accept my AP credit?
As an Advanced Placement student, it is important to obtain accurate information to answer the question "Will a university of choice accept my AP credit?" Ask admissions representatives this very question during your junior year or the fall of your senior year. Do not wait until spring of your senior year to ask questions. Often students hear inaccurate second or third-hand information about university policies regarding AP credit. The College Board has links to many university websites' AP Credit Policy pages.
