The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Gomez Heritage Elementary School
Gomez Heritage Elementary School is a regular public school in Omaha, Nebraska, serving students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Omaha Public Schools, the state's largest district. The school is located in the southern part of Omaha, in a residential area of the city.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with approximately nine out of every ten students identifying as Hispanic. The remainder of the enrollment is a mix of White students, a small number of Black students, and a very small number of American Indian or Alaska Native students. The school is large for an elementary school, with a sizable total enrollment spread across all grades from PK through fifth grade. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, receiving special education services, or classified as English learners was not available in the records reviewed. Given the school's demographics and its location, a parent may want to ask the school directly about the specific support programs in place, as these can be important for understanding how the school serves its students.
Academically, state assessment results for the most recent testing year show very low proficiency rates overall. In mathematics, proficiency was reported at a near-zero level across grades three, four, and five. In English language arts, proficiency rates were also low, though not uniformly zero: fourth graders showed a modest proficiency rate, and fifth graders showed a similar level; third grade math and ELA both reported zero. In science, fifth grade proficiency was reported at zero. Looking across a multi-year trend that included five data points, the school's overall ELA proficiency showed a decline from a still-low starting point, and math showed a drop from a moderate baseline to a near-zero ending point. Science was consistently at zero across the three years it was measured.
When compared with other school districts in Douglas County, Gomez Heritage Elementary School's overall proficiency index placed it in the bottom quartile among the seven districts that had reportable data. This comparison is based on the school's performance relative to all districts in the county, not just its own district. The school does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate applies. Data on chronic absenteeism was not available.
The housing market in the school's zip code area reflects home values that are below the statewide median for Nebraska, though national trends show that Omaha's overall housing costs are moderate. Rents in the area are similarly positioned. The broader Omaha economy is anchored by several Fortune 500 headquarters and a diverse corporate base, and the city has seen modest population growth in recent years. Downtown Omaha offers cultural institutions, entertainment districts, and a revitalized riverfront park, but the school's location in a south Omaha neighborhood means commuting to those amenities requires a car; much of the city's residential development is car-dependent.
For families considering this school, the most relevant recent change in the district is Omaha Public Schools' "Moonshot" initiative, launched in 2024. The district has committed to having all students reading on grade level by 2030, using a structured literacy curriculum grounded in the science of reading. This represents a major pedagogical shift that will affect how reading is taught in the early grades across all OPS elementary schools, including Gomez Heritage. A parent may want to learn how this initiative is being implemented at the school level and what additional supports are being offered, especially given the very low current reading proficiency.
Overall, Gomez Heritage Elementary School serves a large, heavily Hispanic student population in an urban Omaha neighborhood. Its academic performance on state assessments is well below county and state benchmarks, and the available data suggests that a substantial majority of students are not yet meeting proficiency in core subjects. The district's literacy initiative signals a focused effort to improve reading outcomes, though the results of that work will not be fully visible for several years. Families evaluating this school should seek direct information from the school about tutoring, English learner supports, special education services, and any enrichment programs that may be available.
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