About Florence Elementary

Florence Elementary School is located at 7902 North 36th Street in Omaha. Enrollment includes kindergarten through fifth grade.

Before annexation to Omaha, the community of Florence was once an independent village. Years later, the community still continues to maintain close ties to this neighborhood school. Florence students go out into the community, assist with projects, and learn to give back to their community. The involvement of parents and business partners in a number of school activities contributes to the academic success of students. Special opportunities for students supplement the regular classroom instruction. Students have opportunities to learn through the integration of technology. Students get to use one-to-one iPads, laptop and desktop computers, Promethean boards, and Apple TVs to enhance their learning. Monthly assemblies are also held to honor students for academic achievement and good citizenship.

History

The first classes in Florence were held in a room at the Land Office Building in 1857. Soon after, a Methodist Church building was secured and one teacher was hired for the 56 students.

The first Florence school opened in 1889 at 8516 N. 31st Street in the Village of Florence. Omaha annexed the village in 1917, and the school became part of the Omaha Public Schools. That building was razed in 1961, and the current building at 7902 North 36th Street replaced it. The original concrete steps that lead to the building on N. 31st are still intact on the hill.

The village and the school were named for Florence Kilbourne, the adopted daughter of James Mitchell, who originally plotted the Florence area.