Benson High School's exceptional commitment to student success leads to recognition from a global non-profit organization. Cognia selected Benson to receive its Values Driven Award of Excellence.

The non-profit organization selected Benson for clearly demonstrating the Cognia Values by ensuring students are known, heard and connected to their school. Cognia highlighted Benson's bold and daring innovations that meet the needs of each learner and help them find success.

"Cognia is a mission-driven organization supported by our core values. The Values Driven Award of Excellence recognizes institutions in the Midwest who systematically and systemically model these values through their day-to-day efforts to improve outcomes for their students," said Shannon Vogler, Cognia regional director.

Vogler also praised Benson staff for their work in supporting Omaha's rich diversity, reflected throughout our school communities.

"Benson High exemplifies what tenacious commitment to continuous improvement can achieve," Vogler said. "They should be commended for their dedication to achieving excellence. It is our privilege and honor to join them on their journey to do so."

Cognia conducts rigorous, on-site reviews of various educational institutions and provides resources, tools, and support to education leaders across the globe to ensure all learners realize their full potential.

"This is work to be proud of," said Tom Wagner, Benson principal. "The Values Driven Award of Excellence reflects our ethic of care in the relationships we have built with our students, staff and families."

Susan Christopherson, Omaha Public Schools chief academic officer, highlighted Benson's award-winning academies as an essential piece of that work.

"Through their academies, they build connections for learning to their students' futures," said Christopherson. "Benson's wall-to-wall academies help students see what is possible when they leave high school."

Benson High recently received recognition as the Nebraska Career and Technical Education Outstanding Career Academy of 2021. During the 2020-21 school year, Benson's Health Professions Academy and its Freshman Academy also achieved Model Academy status, an elite designation awarded by the National Career Academy Coalition.