Omaha School Districts Guide (2026): What Ratings Don't Tell You

Choosing the right school district in Omaha is one of the most consequential decisions move-up buyers make—and one of the most misunderstood. Most parents rely on aggregate ratings that reflect neighborhood wealth more than instructional quality. This guide breaks down what actually matters at each grade level across Elkhorn, Millard, Gretna, and Omaha Public Schools, so you can match your child's needs to the district that serves them best.

Table of Contents

• Why School Ratings Mislead Omaha Homebuyers
• Grade-Level Factors Most Parents Miss
• Elkhorn Public Schools: Strengths and Trade-Offs
• Millard Public Schools: Programs and Scheduling
• Gretna Public Schools: Growth and Considerations
• Omaha Public Schools: Magnets and Career Pathways
• Attendance Boundaries and Volatility Risk
• Which District Fits Your Child
• Common Questions About Omaha School Districts

Why School Ratings Mislead Omaha Homebuyers

A 9/10 GreatSchools rating often reflects the median income of surrounding homes rather than actual teaching quality. Move-up buyers frequently overpay for "highly rated" zones in generic Elkhorn subdivisions while overlooking high-performing pockets in OPS—like the Columbian Elementary zone—where property values remain stable due to scarcity and genuine academic outcomes.

The search queries parents use compound this problem. "Best school district Omaha" returns generic lists. The more useful questions—"best high school for future engineers" or "elementary schools using science of reading curriculum"—rarely get asked. Ratings provide a starting point, but they cannot tell you whether a school serves gifted learners, supports students with dyslexia, or prepares graduates for technical careers.

Grade-Level Factors Most Parents Miss

Parents typically buy homes based on elementary school ratings without investigating the middle school feeder or high school program structure. This creates blind spots that surface years later.

The Middle School Cliff

A strong elementary rating means little if the feeder middle school has overcrowding or culture problems. Gretna's new middle school near 192nd and Giles opened for 2025-26, creating an untested social environment that ratings have not yet captured. Buyers should ask about middle school capacity and transition plans before committing to any elementary zone.

High School Academy Systems

Both Millard and OPS operate career academy models where students spend significant junior and senior year time at specialized centers—Zoo Academy, UNMC partnerships, or the OPS Career Center. A "weaker" home high school matters less when half the school day happens at an industry-aligned academy. Parents focused only on base high school ratings miss this structure entirely.

Special Education Infrastructure

Suburban districts like Gretna and Elkhorn often have less developed special education infrastructure than OPS. Families with high-needs students report encountering "soft denials" or pressure to pursue independent study in smaller districts. OPS operates dedicated programs like the Integrated Learning Program with robust, scaled resources built over decades.

Elkhorn Public Schools: Strengths and Trade-Offs

Elkhorn delivers uniformly high elementary test scores with rigorous curricula and a traditional neighborhood school model. There is no school choice lottery—you attend the school assigned to your address.

Elementary and High School Performance

Elkhorn elementary schools maintain consistent academic outcomes across the district. At the high school level, Elkhorn South has historically been the flagship campus, though Elkhorn North (Wolves) is rapidly achieving parity in academics and extracurriculars.

The Trade-Off: No Specialized Programs

Elkhorn does not offer magnet themes, IB tracks, or specialized academies within the district. The model prioritizes general excellence over programmatic customization. Families seeking specific curricula—Core Knowledge, International Baccalaureate, career-technical pathways—will not find them here.

2025 Boundary Reset

The opening of Elementary Schools #13 and #14 triggered a major boundary realignment voted on in January 2025. Affected families experienced significant disruption. While dust is settling, buyers in new construction north of Maple or south of Pacific should assume their assigned elementary school will change within five years as growth continues.

Millard Public Schools: Programs and Scheduling

Millard operates as established suburbia with extensive program choices designed to compete with private school alternatives. Transportation is the primary trade-off—if you choice into a program outside your neighborhood school, you typically provide your own transportation.

Core Knowledge Elementary Program

Cather and Disney Elementary schools offer the Core Knowledge curriculum, a content-rich, structured program that functions as a "private school within a public school." This option attracts families seeking rigorous, sequential instruction with explicit knowledge-building across subjects.

Millard North vs. Millard West High School

Millard North is the district's International Baccalaureate powerhouse, offering the full IB diploma program with a traditional seven-period day. Millard West uses a 4x4 block schedule—four classes per semester—with a "school-within-a-school" learning community model. Some students thrive with block scheduling's deep immersion; others prefer traditional pacing. This is a fit question, not a quality question.

High Ability Learner Support

Millard maintains structured High Ability Learner programs with pull-out services and differentiated curriculum. Combined with Core Knowledge options at the elementary level, the district provides multiple pathways for academically advanced students.

Gretna Public Schools: Growth and Considerations

Gretna has transformed from a small town to a booming exurb. The community centers around Friday Night Lights culture, with strong athletics programs at both high schools. Growth has brought both new facilities and growing pains.

Gretna High vs. Gretna East

Gretna East High School opened with top-tier facilities and is fully operational as of 2025. However, it lacks the generational alumni network and established traditions of the original Gretna High School. Families prioritizing new buildings and modern amenities may prefer East; those seeking established community identity may prefer the original campus.

HAL Program Changes

Gretna recently scaled back its High Ability Learner program to an independent study model at the high school level. Academic-focused parents have expressed frustration that this shift may leave high-performing students without sufficient challenge or structure. Families with gifted children should investigate current HAL offerings before assuming Gretna meets their needs.

Growth-Related Considerations

Rapid growth means newer buildings staffed with younger teachers. Veteran teacher ratios in Gretna's newest schools differ from tenure-heavy staff at established Millard or OPS campuses. The new middle school opening for 2025-26 represents another transition point that ratings have not yet evaluated.

Omaha Public Schools: Magnets and Career Pathways

OPS is massive, diverse, and operates differently than suburban districts. The Partner Zone system replaces straight neighborhood assignments with ranked school choices within geographic clusters.

Elite Elementary Options

Columbian Elementary and Wilson Focus School (grades 3-6) are academic magnets that rival any suburban elementary in the metro. Wilson Focus specifically serves high-ability students with an enriched curriculum. These schools attract families from across the city through the choice lottery.

High School Pathways

Central High School offers the IB program with deep institutional tradition. The OPS Career Center provides robust vocational and technical training. Newer high schools like Westview and Buena Vista feature YMCA partnership models with exceptional athletic and community facilities. The variety within OPS exceeds what any single suburban district offers.

The Trade-Off: Navigation Complexity

The School Choice lottery and transportation eligibility rules require significant parent engagement to navigate. Understanding Partner Zones, ranking preferences, and application deadlines is a meaningful time investment. Families willing to engage with the system access outstanding options; those seeking simplicity may find suburban districts less demanding.

Attendance Boundaries and Volatility Risk

Boundary stability varies dramatically by district. This affects both school assignment certainty and long-term home value predictability.

Option Enrollment Reality

A common misconception: "I'll buy in OPS and option enroll into Elkhorn." As of 2025, both Elkhorn and Gretna are effectively closed to option enrollment due to internal capacity constraints. Do not purchase a home outside these districts expecting to transfer in. Residency within district boundaries is required to guarantee attendance.

Which District Fits Your Child

The right district depends on your child's specific needs, not aggregate ratings. Here are common scenarios and where to focus your search.

Dyslexia, Autism, or Learning Differences

OPS and Millard offer the strongest infrastructure. OPS has scale for specialized interventions, including Wilson Focus for curriculum-based support and dedicated special education centers. Millard's established programs provide consistent services. Smaller, high-growth districts like Gretna generate more reports of families "fighting for services" or facing pressure toward independent study models.

Gifted or High-IQ Students

Millard's Core Knowledge program at Cather and Disney provides structured rigor at the elementary level. OPS offers Wilson Focus School (grades 3-6) specifically for high-ability learners, with Central High's IB program for secondary. Gretna's recent HAL changes—reducing high school programming to independent study—may leave academically advanced students under-challenged.

Athletics and Community Identity

Gretna and Elkhorn center community life around high school sports culture. Friday night football is a genuine social institution in both districts. Gretna High maintains the original powerhouse tradition; Gretna East is building its own identity with new facilities.

Common Questions About Omaha School Districts

Can I live in Omaha and pay to attend Elkhorn schools?

No. Option enrollment is capacity-based, and Elkhorn has been closed to outside enrollment due to internal growth. Residency within district boundaries is required.

Is Gretna East better than Gretna High?

Gretna East has newer facilities. Gretna High has established tradition and alumni networks. "Better" depends on whether you prioritize modern buildings or community continuity.

What is the difference between Millard North and Millard West?

Millard North offers the International Baccalaureate program with a traditional seven-period day. Millard West uses 4x4 block scheduling (four classes per semester) with a learning community model. The choice is about scheduling fit, not quality difference.

Does OPS have good elementary schools?

Yes. Columbian Elementary, Dundee Elementary, and Wilson Focus School are elite academic options that compete with any suburban school in the metro. Access requires navigating the choice lottery.

When will Elkhorn boundaries change again?

Major changes took effect for 2025-26. Expect relative stability for two to three years, then another adjustment cycle as northern and southern growth areas continue developing.

What is Core Knowledge in Millard?

Core Knowledge is a specific, content-rich curriculum offered at Cather and Disney Elementary schools. It emphasizes sequential knowledge-building with structured, rigorous instruction across all subjects.

How does the OPS Partner Plan work?

You receive a geographic zone rather than a single school assignment. Within your zone, you rank school preferences. Placement depends on lottery results and capacity. Transportation eligibility varies by placement.

What are the best Omaha schools for trade skills?

The OPS Career Center offers comprehensive vocational and technical programs. Millard's Career Academies provide industry-aligned pathways at the high school level. Both systems connect students with hands-on training and industry credentials.

Choosing a school district is a decision that shapes your family's daily life for years. If you're planning a move-up purchase and want help evaluating how school zones align with your family's priorities, I'm happy to walk through the options with you.

School planning often drives long-term housing decisions. For families moving into the area, this research usually supports a larger rent-versus-buy decision when relocating to Omaha.