Mission Statement

The mission of the OPS Middle College Program is to provide a safe learning community that is academically rigorous,
fosters success in high school, and successfully transitions students to post-secondary opportunities.

The OPS Middle College Program

The OPS Middle College Program is an alternative pathway in the Omaha Public Schools that provides students with an early college opportunity while completing high school graduation requirements.  The program is located on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus.  Students in the program are offered instruction from Omaha Public Schools instructors and our students can take all the coursework necessary for graduation from Omaha Public Schools.  In addition to taking their high school courses from our instructors, our students can take university level courses at UNO by participating in the Early Entry Program.

OPS Middle College Students

An OPS Middle College student seeks the opportunity to explore an early college experience as part of their pathway towards graduation. The program offers a small, rigorous, supportive environment in which students can finish their high school requirements while transitioning to post-secondary opportunities. Students that participate in the program will be expected to take at least one University course here at the University of Nebraska at Omaha prior to graduation as well as participate in a variety of college preparation activities. Students should be able to demonstrate the ability to handle honors and college level classes through previous coursework.  First generation college bound students benefit greatly from this program as students receive additional support and preparation in their transition to college.  Students who apply should be responsible and have the maturity to handle the freedoms of taking classes on a college campus. 

OPS Curriculum

Students in the Middle College Program are offered instruction from Omaha Public Schools instructors.  We follow the OPS Academic Action Plan in all classrooms including instructional framework, coaching, and the use of data to drive excellence.  Our students can take all the coursework necessary for graduation from Omaha Public Schools.  In addition to taking their high school courses from our instructors, our students can take university level courses at UNO.  Students participate in the Early Entry Program through the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Early Entry at the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Once a student is enrolled in the OPS Middle College Program for a semester, they will have the opportunity to enroll in a college course through  the Early Entry Program at UNO.  The opportunity to enroll in university classes as an Early Entry student in the Middle College program is a privilege.  A student must be in good academic standing to enroll in a university class.  We expect students to be on track toward graduation without credit deficits.  In addition, students must have a positive attendance and behavior record. Below is the process to enroll in a college course through the OPS Middle College Program:

1. Complete Early Entry Application with the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  
2. Request a copy of your transcript and shot records from Mrs. McLaughlin or your school counselor.
3. Complete an Early Entry Application Essay.  Guidelines for this essay are posted in the flyer mailbox in front of the office.  If you have already taken an Early Entry course, please expand your essay to include what you have learned from this first university course experience.
4. Obtain two Letters of Recommendation.  One of these letters must come from an OPS Middle College staff member. If you have already taken an Early Entry course, please obtain one additional letter of recommendation from one of your university professors.  These can be emailed to Mrs. McLaughlin at heather.mclaughlin@ops.org. 
5. Complete the College Readiness Assessment.  You must also have a parent/guardian complete the assessment and sign and date it. 

A student interested in applying for any Multiple Pathways program should meet with their high school counselor to discuss the opportunities.  If the student wishes to apply to the OPS Middle College they should complete the online application found below:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=tm3mWBshN0q36A72lnQgwTteTmIq16JJrvJN6wIaKbNUMVRZTVZKRkw4RTVPMVlMSDkxUEhTVEJCOS4u

Once the application is reviewed by the Student Placement Office, the application is then sent to the Program Supervisor.  The student and family are invited out to UNO for a program information meeting.  At that meeting, placement in the program is determined by the OPS Middle College staff, the student, and the family.