The top reported proficiency rate is 11% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Sunny Slope Elementary School
Sunny Slope Elementary School, part of Omaha Public Schools, serves students from preschool through fifth grade. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The school enrolls a student body that is mixed in its racial and ethnic composition, with White students and Black students each making up roughly a third of the population, a sizable Hispanic share, and smaller representations of Asian, two-or-more-races, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. The school is located in Omaha, Nebraska's largest city, a place with a strong corporate and economic base anchored by several Fortune 500 headquarters. The school sits in a residential area of the city, and families considering it will need to navigate a metropolitan area that is largely car-dependent outside of the walkable downtown core.
State test results for Sunny Slope are available for the 2024-25 school year, and they present a picture that families should examine closely. In reading, fourth graders showed a proficiency rate that was below the midpoint of what a typical classroom might show, and third and fifth graders had results that were too low to report. Mathematics proficiency was at a similar low level across tested grades. Science proficiency for fifth graders also registered at a very low mark. The multi-year trend data, which covers all tested subjects and grades together, indicates a proficiency picture that has been weak and declining. When compared to other school districts in Douglas County, Sunny Slope places in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. A parent looking at this school should inquire directly with the school or district about the specific instructional supports in place, particularly given the district's recent literacy initiative.
That initiative, launched in 2024 by Omaha Public Schools, is called the Moonshot, a commitment to have all students reading on grade level by 2030. It uses the Science of Reading and a structured literacy curriculum. This represents a significant, ongoing shift in how reading is taught across all OPS elementary schools. For a family at Sunny Slope, this means a sustained focus on foundational reading skills throughout the primary and elementary grades.
The school's overall enrollment is typical for an elementary school in a large urban district. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, and neither was information on students with disabilities or English learners. These are gaps a family would need to fill by speaking with the school directly. No information on discipline rates, staffing ratios, chronic absenteeism, or course access was reported. Because Sunny Slope serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, as that metric applies only to high schools.
Housing in the area around the school is priced a bit above the state average, and the typical rent has been rising. The local economy shows a modest unemployment rate and a median household income that has increased in recent years. Given the school's location within Omaha, families will find a full range of civic and cultural amenities, including a major zoo, museums, and a large urban parkland, though most of the city's neighborhoods are designed for driving.
Sunny Slope is a school where the academic results are a significant concern. The district has placed a heavy emphasis on literacy going forward, but the recent test scores in both reading and math are low relative to other schools in the area. A family considering this school will want to understand how the Moonshot initiative is being implemented at Sunny Slope specifically, what interventions are available for students who are behind, and what the school's own goals and track record are for moving those numbers.
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