The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in Science. The lowest is 17% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Norris Elementary School
Norris Elementary School is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Omaha, Nebraska. It is part of the Millard Public Schools district, which covers a large suburban portion of the city. The school sits in a residential neighborhood in the southwestern part of Omaha, an area with a mix of single-family homes and apartment complexes.
The student body is moderately sized for an elementary school. White students represent the largest group, followed by a substantial Hispanic population, with smaller shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. Just under half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure that gives a rough sense of how many families face economic pressure. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records.
State testing results for the most recent school year present a mixed picture. In English language arts, proficiency rates across grades three through five varied widely. Fourth grade showed the strongest performance, with a clear majority of students meeting state standards. Third grade was around the midpoint, while fifth grade fell below that. In math, the pattern was more scattered: fourth graders again performed relatively well, but both third and fifth grade had no students reaching the proficient level. That is an unusual result and one a parent would want to explore directly with the school to understand what instruction and support look like at those grade levels. Science, tested only in fifth grade, posted a strong proficiency rate, well above what the math and reading results might suggest. When looking at overall proficiency across all tested subjects and grades, the school places in the bottom quarter relative to other districts in Douglas County.
No information was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, staffing ratios, or course access. Because Norris serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to consider. The school does not have a magnet or charter designation, and its Title I status was not listed in the data.
The Millard school district did not have any major recent changes publicly reported, so the stability of programs and leadership is something a family would want to ask about during a visit.
Omaha itself is a large, economically diverse city anchored by several Fortune 500 headquarters and a strong corporate sector. Housing values in the zip code area around Norris sit near the state average, and rents have been rising at a pace in line with national trends, which suggests steady demand. The neighborhood is primarily car-dependent suburban development, with downtown Omaha and its cultural amenities a short drive away. The mix of corporate employment, moderate housing costs, and the presence of a large public school district means many families in this corridor are looking for a balance of affordability and access to city resources.
For a family considering Norris Elementary, the academic numbers deserve a closer look. The strong science result and the solid fourth-grade reading and math scores show that some cohorts perform well. The very low math scores in third and fifth grade, however, raise questions about consistency in curriculum, teacher assignment, or student readiness from year to year. The economic diversity in the building is notable, with a significant share of students on free or reduced-price lunch, which may influence the kinds of support services the school offers. The absence of data on special education and English learner populations leaves a gap in understanding whether the school is resourced for those needs. A conversation with the principal, a tour, and a look at recent trend data beyond a single year would fill in the picture considerably.
See more original research from School Decision →