1978

In 1978, (left to right) Phil Cahoy, Dave Rimington and Jim Harung, star athletes of Omaha South High School, graduated.

In 1983, Tom Warren graduates from Tech High. In 2004 he would become the first African-American police chief in Omaha, and later would be named C.E.O. of the Urban League of Omaha.

Through the generosity of South High alum and local construction magnate, Bob Campos, Hispanic OPS students begin participating in the Grassroots Leadership Development Program. The program enlightens students about how government works.

Project Omaha - Gary Kastrick, Omaha South High School

In 1999, South High teacher Gary Kastrick begins Project OMAHA (Omaha Memories and Historical Anthologies), an educational program devoted to collecting, maintaining and interpreting important artifacts in South Omaha's history.

1981

"Unschooling" advocate John Holt publishes Teach Your Own: Virtual School. The book quickly becomes popular amongst the homeschooling community.

1983

Tom Warren graduates from Tech High. In 2004 he would become the first African-American police chief in Omaha, and later would be named C.E.O. of the Urban League of Omaha.

The Adopt-a-School program begins at OPS, helping cement the district's relationships with local businesses.

1984

Star basketball player Maurice Ivy graduated from Central High School in 1984.

1985

The following year, in 1985, Gregg Olsen graduated from Northwest High School. Olsen went on to play in the MLB.

Tom Osborne introduced Teammates. OPS implemented the program in its schools.

1990s

In the 1990s, OPS establishes the Native Indigenous-Centered Education (NICE) program to meet the needs of students who have been neglected and marginalized in the past.

1991

First "charter school" bill passes in Minnesota, with the first charter school opening in the state the following year.

1992

Picotte Elementary opens at 144th and Blondo.

Picotte Elementary building pictured at right, n.d.

1994

Principal Robert Whitehouse implements a four-period block schedule at Bryan High School. Following its implementation, student failure rates decrease, more students make the honor roll and teachers find new and creative ways to teach.

National News: First Online High School launches

1996

Thrive Leadership Club begins in OPS. The club provides leadership and community service opportunities for migrant students at Central, Bryan, Northwest and South high schools.

National News: Education Act

1999

OPS returns to neighborhood schools and open enrollment, effectively ending busing based on race. The design was meant to help integrate schools.

ESL “Inclusion Model” implemented
In the Fall of 1999, the ESL “Inclusion Model” is implemented in the Omaha Public Schools through work led by ESL Coordinator Susan Mayberger. The district offers ESL instruction in 60 elementary schools versus in only 29 elementary schools, which was the number of schools with ESL offerings in the year prior. Teachers receive ongoing training in ESL strategies. The update allows elementary ESL students to have the same option to attend their neighborhood school as their peers and enables the district to handle the growing number of English Learners.

2000

The dual language program begins at Marrs Middle School. The program would extend to Castelar and Spring Lake. In 2001, it begins at the high school level starting with South High School. 

2002

Scholastic Arts introduced to Omaha Public Schools.

2003

Tech High Graduate Thomas Warren becomes the first African American Chief of Police for Omaha in 2003.

2004

Susan Aguilara-Robles is named principal at Spring Lake Elementary, becoming the first Latina principal in OPS.

National News: Somali Immigration Waves.

2005

In 2005, OPS becomes the first school district outside of New York City to introduce Dancing Classrooms, an international program that teaches ballroom dancing to school children. Former professional dancer Pierre Dulane started the program.

One City, One School District

OPS School Board passes “One City, One School District,” a resolution calling for all public schools in Omaha to be absorbed into OPS. Hoping to curb what were by then perceived as long-established educational inequalities brought about by decades of white flight, OPS attempts to annex 23 schools from parts of three suburban school districts.

In 2007, the creation of the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties follows. It is a coordinated effort between 11 metro-area school districts.

2009

Open enrollment begins across the district. In 2016, this policy is amended to accept only students who qualify for free lunch.

Since the start of the program in 2010, Invisible Histories students have come together every summer with professors, community members and university students to tell stories about the history of different cultures within Omaha.

2016

Omaha Public Schools transitions to Limited Open Enrollment, accepted only students who qualify for free lunch.

2017

First in Nebraska: Omaha Virtual School opens. The first-of-its-kind in Nebraska, this innovative education option offers families a blended learning model where students receive lessons both remotely and in-person.

In that same year, Dr. Cheryl Logan is named the Superintendent of OPS. She is the school district’s first female and first African American Superintendent.

2020

More than 119 languages are spoken throughout OPS, from teachers to students and their families.