High School Gifted and Talented Education
Omaha Public Schools believes in helping all students grow their talents and strengths. We offer different advanced academic services to meet students' needs. Advanced academic classes are open to everyone, giving all students the opportunity to participate in challenging coursework
- College Board Advanced Placement
- Dual Credit/Enrollment
- Honors Courses
- Seal of Biliteracy
- Advanced Diploma Programs
College Board Advanced Placement
- The AP program is a challenging academic program that is similar to first year college courses. They help prepare students for college level coursework.
- It's a partnership between secondary schools and colleges/universities, known for academic excellence in the U.S. AP prepares students for selective universities.
- AP is known for its rigorous standards and has a long history in the U.S.
- Students can earn college credit or course placement by passing AP courses or exams.
Dual Credit/Enrollment
- Partner Institutions: University of Nebraska Omaha, Metropolitan Community College, Midland University
- Dual enrollment lets high schoolers take college courses taught by approved high school teachers, earning college credit while still in high school.
- Dual enrollment exposes students to college-level challenges in a supportive high school environment.
Honors Courses
Seal of Biliteracy
- Acknowledges high school students proficient in English and at least one other language.
- Demonstrates proficiency in communication, cultures, connections, communities, and cognition.
- Useful for showing language skills to employers and colleges.
- Speaking multiple languages is seen as valuable for jobs and college admissions.
Advanced Diploma Programs
Omaha Public Schools is excited to introduce special Advanced Diploma Programs in all nine high schools starting with the class of 2027. Each high school will offer one of these options:
These programs help students prepare for life after high school in different ways. Students improve their thinking skills in all subjects and learn to love learning for life.
The advanced diploma programs let students see how they're doing compared to other students across the country and the world through exams and college-level courses. Students can be confident they're ready to compete nationally and internationally.
Completing an advanced diploma often means students can get college credits or placement. Each college or university has its own rules about credits or placement. Families need to explore each school to see what is available.
Students can also talk about their experience in the advanced diploma program when they apply to college. Every program is known across the country.
These advanced diploma programs work well with the Omaha Public Schools College and Careers Academies and Pathways. Students can do the classes they need and still do the things they enjoy outside of class.
- Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma (Burke, North, Westview Highs)
- Cambridge International Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) (Benson, Bryan, Buena Vista, South Highs)
- Early College (Northwest High)
- International Baccalaureate (Central High)
Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma (Burke, North, Westview Highs)
General Information:
- The AP program offers college-level courses for high schoolers.
- AP Capstone helps students develop important skills for any college major, like collaborating, doing research, writing, and presenting.
- AP Capstone teaches students how to do their own research and share their findings with real people.
- Students must choose five additional AP courses to complete their diploma or certificate, making their AP Capstone experience unique.
- By doing well in their courses or exams, students can get college credit or start in higher-level classes.
Participating High Schools:
- Burke High
- North High
- Westview High
Advanced Academic Diploma Requirements:
- To earn their diploma, students need to pass five AP exams and finish AP Seminar and AP Research.
- External scorers grade the exams.
- Students can take as many courses as they want over four years.
- They need to get scores of 3 or higher on five or more AP Exams.
- Completing AP Seminar and AP Research is a must.
Exam Structure:
- Exams cover specific topics and usually have multiple-choice and short answer questions.
- Some exams, like World Language, Music Theory, Computer Science, and Studio Art, include extra parts.
Cambridge International Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) (Benson, Bryan, Buena Vista, South Highs)
General Information:
- Cambridge programs and qualifications are well-known worldwide for their high standards in education. They're part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a respected organization for academic research, learning, and testing.
- A Cambridge education encourages curiosity and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime, helping students discover new skills in a global context.
- Cambridge students learn skills they need to do well in school, college, and work.
- Students can get college credit or placement by doing well in their courses or exams.
Participating High Schools:
- Benson High
- Bryan High
- Buena Vista High
- South High
Advanced Academic Diploma Requirements:
- To get the AICE Diploma, students need to pass seven exams in four areas.
- Grades come from teacher assessments and exams graded by teachers around the world.
- Students have three years to finish the AICE Diploma.
- Required: Global Perspectives
- Optional: English General Paper
- Optional: Thinking Skills
Exam Structure:
- Exams cover big ideas and important themes, focusing on writing essays and thinking critically.
- Speaking tests are included in Language exams.
- Science exams include doing experiments in a lab.
Early College (Northwest High)
General Information:
- The Early College Program helps students explore college options and build essential skills for advanced courses at four-year schools.
- Students earn a Liberal Arts/Academic Transfer Associate of Arts Degree while still in high school.
- Most universities accept the credits earned.
Participating High School:
- Northwest High
Advanced Academic Diploma Requirements:
- Complete MCC courses that meet the Liberal Arts/Academic Transfer Associate of Arts Degree (LATAA) requirements.
- Commit to taking classes from 9th through 12th grades.
- Must be enrolled at Northwest High School.
Exam Structure:
- End-of-unit exams are part of the high school course and follow the grading practices of Omaha Public Schools.
International Baccalaureate (Central High)
General Information:
- The IB programs give students a challenging education focusing on thinking, reading, and writing from a global view.
- Students can choose to do the IB diploma or just take IB courses.
- The International Baccalaureate wants to help students become curious, smart, and caring people who make the world better through understanding and respect.
- Students can earn college credit or get into advanced classes by doing well in their courses or exams.
Participating High School:
- Central High
Advanced Academic Diploma Requirements:
- To get the IB Diploma, students need to pass six exams in six subjects. Students prepare in all areas: English, world language, Social Studies, Science, Math, and the Arts (or another IB class).
- Grades come from teachers and other educators around the world.
- Students have two years to finish the IB Diploma.
Required CORE Components:
- Theory of Knowledge Course
- CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) Project
- Extended Essay
Exam Structure:
- Exams test big ideas and important themes, with a focus on writing essays.