For Schools | School as Hub

School as Hub Programming

The Superintendents’ Plan is grounded in the understanding that local elementary schools can serve as community hubs that connect young children, birth–Grade 3, and their families to quality early learning experiences. It draws from decades of research showing that quality early childhood programming provides significant benefits to children.

Four Integrated Components

Home visiting and family facilitation from birth to school enrollment.

Platforms with a star above the tallest platform

High-quality preschool experiences for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Aligned Kindergarten through Grade 3 instruction.

Intentional family partnerships for children birth through Grade 3.

School as Hub News

Connecting at Birth: Millard Schools Are Working Toward Deeper Engagement With Families

The COVID-19 pandemic shifted so much about our daily lives and routines—including how schools and parents interacted. Four years later, family engagement still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels, Millard Public Schools educators said. “(Families) want to be able to come in. They want to feel connected to their school,” said Jason Farwell, principal of Cody Elementary. That’s why one of Millard’s current efforts is solidifying family engagement, a critical component of the School as Hub model under the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan.

Teachers helping students at Douglas County West Elementary School

Connecting School and Families: How DC West Elementary Embraces the School as Hub Model

Kelsi McIntyre moved to Valley, Nebraska, from Louisiana on a Monday for her partner’s new job. By Friday morning, her daughter Ellie, 3, was playing bingo with other kids at the Valley Public Library. Family facilitator and home visitor Dee Acklie filled McIntyre in on the early childhood services offered at nearby Douglas County West Elementary School. “We’ll connect you with the preschool staff,” Acklie assured her. Earlier that morning, a handful of parents gathered for muffins and coffee at the school’s Falcon Family Café to review the reading curriculum. This is what stronger family-school-community connections can look like under the School as Hub model.

Teacher laughing with two little kids at Mockingbird Elementary School

Ralston's Youngest Learners Can Play, Get Exposure to School at Meet-ups

Two-year-old Theodore Ruckman spends a lot of time with adults. He’s an only child and lives with his grandparents. Like many toddlers, learning to share his toys is a work in progress. “He really doesn’t have other kids to play with, so he tends to play a little rougher,” said grandmother Kate Ruckman. But for the past six months or so, Theodore and his grandmother have been getting some much-needed socialization time with a group of fellow toddlers and their families organized by Mockingbird Elementary in Ralston Public Schools.

2023-24 School as Hub Schools

Ten elementary schools across six districts in the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties are implementing School as Hub programming in 2023–24. In most of these schools, more than half of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Bellevue Public Schools

Belleaire Elementary School

Belleaire Elementary School has been proudly serving the Bellevue/Offutt Air Force Base community since 1952. Highly qualified staff, involved parents, active business partners, volunteer senior citizens, and military personnel work together to ensure student success.

282 students
28 teachers
68% free/reduced lunch
15% English learners

Douglas County West Community Schools

Douglas County West Elementary School

Douglas County West Elementary School’s highly qualified staff serves a growing population of students. DC West has a strong early childhood program with a focus on intervening early to improve learning for children birth through age 8.

513 students
37 teachers
30% free/reduced lunch
Fewer than 10 students identified as English learners

Millard Public Schools

William Cody Elementary School

Cody Elementary, a diverse community inspiring hope, guarantees that students will demonstrate personal excellence and an innovative mindset by engaging in a safe and supportive learning environment that ensures growth and meets individual student needs.

309 students
27 teachers
50% free/reduced lunch
Fewer than 10 students identified as English learners

Mari Sandoz Elementary School

Mari Sandoz Elementary School empowers each student to attain the knowledge, skills, and character necessary for personal success by partnering with all students and families in a safe and engaging learning environment that values individual needs, ensures a sense of belonging, and guarantees academic excellence.

358 students
31 teachers
47% free/reduced lunch
13% English learners

Omaha Public Schools

Gomez Heritage Elementary School

Gomez Heritage Elementary, located in south Omaha, serves students in PreKindergarten through Grade 5. The school offers a Spanish dual language program and is an extension of the neighborhood that involves motivated students, parents, staff, and community members to promote the highest potential in all.

740 students
46 teachers
78% free/reduced lunch
65% English learners

Liberty Elementary School

Liberty Elementary School serves a diverse population of students in Head Start through sixth grade in downtown Omaha. The school provides an inclusion-based model for more focused instruction and a dual language program. Liberty offers many community-based services to support students, including a school-based health center.

626 students
46 teachers
81% free/reduced lunch
58% English learners

Mount View Elementary School

Mount View School was first opened in 1888 and became part of the Omaha Public Schools in July 1960. Currently, Mount View Elementary, located in north Omaha, serves students in early childhood special education preschool, Head Start, and Kindergarten through fifth grade.

305 students
20 teachers
81% free/reduced lunch
25% English learners

Pinewood Elementary School

Pinewood Elementary School is located in northwest Omaha and is home to students in PreKindergarten through fifth grade. The school’s mission is to teach students to become high achievers, lifelong learners, and responsible citizens.

221 students
15 teachers
87% free/reduced lunch
31% English learners

Ralston Public Schools

Mockingbird Elementary School

Mockingbird Elementary School opened in 1965 with 192 students. Today, teachers and staff at Mockingbird are dedicated to providing students in PreKindergarten through sixth grade with an outstanding education.

409 students
28 teachers
70% free/reduced lunch
35% English learners

Westside Community Schools

Westbrook Elementary School

Westbrook Elementary is a remodeled junior high school that reopened as an elementary school in the fall of 2005, making it the largest elementary school in the Westside Community Schools district. Westbrook Elementary has a diverse community of learners.

547 students
35 teachers
65% free/reduced lunch
9% English learners