Open Book to Private Schools

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

OPEN BOOK TO

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Your education to Omaha Metro Area Private Schools Sunday, October 20, 2019

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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2125631-01

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

A $750 tuition scholarship that can be used toward a Premier ACT Program or a full Comprehensive Skill Building Program (Valid at all Huntington Learning Center locations in Omaha)

Enter here at:

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

One lucky student will win!

Total Value $ 1,500 2 Weeks of Summer Camp (A $750 value)

Omaha.com/privateschools

Enter between October 9-23 *Restrictions may apply.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

THE ROSE THEATER

1949 - 2019

BestValue OCT 2

5 - NO V 10

Omaha’s

the

DAY

of your family at The Rose!

Rock your kids’ world with Mo Willems’ Naked Howie D: Back in the Day, featuring the musical star power of Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough.

Send a message of empowerment with the magic of Ella Enchanted, or bring history to life with The Diary of Anne Frank.

JAN 31 - FEB 16

HOWIE BACK In

There’s something for every member

Mole Rat Gets Dressed and the world premiere of

NOV 29 - DEC 22

the musical

for Family Entertainment

Introduce young children to the theater with The Rose’s FIRST STAGE series, designed specifically for Pre-K audiences.

Or give them an memorable mainstage experience with Corduroy.

FEB MAR28 15

And, of course, get set for an

E5

- 21

APR MAY 24 10

A 27 MAR 11

PR

entertaining evening for the

JUN

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entire family at The Rose’s premium events, Elf the Musical and the world’s most beloved musical, The Sound of Music!

Set the stage for an experience your entire family will enjoy – at The Rose!

Tickets start at just $20.

Rose members get 4 tickets to 6 shows (24 tickets!) for just $105.

S F I R ST STAG E S E R I E

OCT 13 - NOV 4

FEB 9 - MAR 3

TICKETS: (402) 345-4849 or www.rosetheater.org

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Want your kids to turn off the tech?

Try theater!

What can parents do to turn the technology tide and get children to put their phones down? What is the solution to kids’ apparent “technology addiction?”

“Try a day at the theater,” says Matthew Gutschick, artistic director of The Rose Theater, Omaha’s only live performance venue dedicated to providing quality theatrical experiences for ages 2 to 18.

“Parents and children often walk into the Rose Theater with screens in front of their faces. One cannot blame 6-year-olds for drawing their parents with iPhones, instead of eyes and smiles, if this is the image they see of their parents on a daily basis,” he says.

The solution, however, can be found in the simple act of engaging in a screen-free environment as a family.

“Once this same family enters the auditorium and the performance begins, attention gently shifts. Sure, the show has some responsibility for engaging imaginations. More importantly, though, parents and children start actually looking at one another – parents checking their child’s responses to a gentle joke in the play, children confirming the dramatic tension they feel is shared by their adult companions.”

Dr. Liraz Margalit notes in Psychology Today that because smartphones spoon-feed images, words and pictures to children, they aren’t developing their cognitive abilities in the same way they do when listening to a story read aloud by a parent or watching a live performance.

Margalit further explains that when a child spends too much time with technology instead of chatting and playing with others, their empathetic abilities – the way they read situations and get a feel for people – can be dulled, possibly permanently. Engaging in live performances can help mitigate this, according to Gutschick.

“Usually, when families leave the theater, they are talking with one another, sharing favorite moments from the show. Families usually leave with a renewed sense of focus on the people they love most,” he says.

The social and cognitive benefits of participating in live theater are more than anecdotal. Arts participation among children leads to higher test scores and graduation rates and, consequently, to a higher rate of college attendance. Arts participants are also more likely to engage in volunteerism and political activity.

By taking children to the theater, the ballet, concerts and more, parents can help reduce the impact of hours of screen time and help children develop the important cognitive skills they need to understand the world around them. Perhaps best of all, the experience involves enjoyable quality time spent as a family, where adult and child can rediscover themselves and each other.

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

EDUCATION WITHIN REACH

By Marjie Ducey WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Debbie Rice and Jenny Peters are members of the “mom of nine club.’’

Right now, they’re the only ones in the group, but they’re sure there are others out there.

Not only do they both have nine children, but they have managed to send those kids through Catholic schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. All 18 kids started at Our Lady of Lourdes or St. Bernadette for grade school and will finish at Gross Catholic.

Private school tuition has been a challenge, but it has also been a price they’re willing to pay. Peters said they have taken on the burden with happy hearts.

Tuition is $10,840 a year after a $400 parish subsidy at Gross, which most students receive. Peters’ daughter, Emma, is a junior there. For grade schoolers Mae, Teddy and Zeke, it totals $6,400 for all three.

Jenny Peters works part time, and all that money goes for tuition.

“We see it as investing in our children,’’ she said. “A lot of people might allocate in other places. We thought investing in our children was the right decision.’’

For the Rice family, it has meant driving cruddy cars, giving up big vacations and rarely eating out. They’ve also become masters of the scholarship search.

Rice said between scholarships and a discount she receives from working at Gross, they’re paying only about $6,000 a year for all five children, which is a low for them. Without that help, their costs would be close to $40,000 a year.

Right now, they have Luke, Ellie and Ben at Gross, and Anna and Emma in grade school.

Rice says what is great about Gross is that it has individual tuition plans. Before she started working at the school, her four older kids did work study, including mowing, painting, cleaning and scraping gum fromdesks, to help pay for their tuition.

“As far as Gross goes, I think they work with families amazingly,’’ Rice says. “I think 75% of the kids are on tuition assistance.’’

JENNY PETERS

The Peters family still has four kids in private schools. High-schooler Emma, in the back row, is pictured with siblings Zeke, Teddy and Mae.

DEBBIE RICE

Five of the Rice kids − Ben, Anna, Emma, Luke and Ellie − are still in private high school and grade school. Parents Debbie and Bill pay about $6,000 a year for all five.

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

S K U T T C AT H O L I C

In April, the entire Skutt Catholic student body, along with faculty, staff and volunteers, completed a four-mile trek around nearby Zorinsky Lake, plus another mile to walk to and from the trail from the school, for the annual HawkWalk fundraiser. Students raised funds for financial aid support by getting sponsors before the big day. Donations were also accepted online.

Most private schools in the Omaha area do everything they can to help families.

Here are some examples.

GROSS CATHOLIC The school handed out $1.5 million in financial assistance last year. Each tuition plan is individualized. The Dux Esto Annual Fund invites friends of the school to invest in helping students with tuition costs and covering the tuition gap.

BROWNELL TALBOT SCHOOL Financial aid program in which students in kindergarten through grade 4 are eligible for aid up to 50% of tuition and students in grades 5-12 are eligible for up to 100%. All financial aid is based on demonstrated need.

In high school, several scholarships are available. Last year, Brownell Talbot allocated $830,000 in financial aid.

JESUIT ACADEMY Because of generous donors, most tui-

tion costs are covered. Each family, however, is required to pay a small amount based on financial income and need. Through the education club, a donor can sponsor a student for the school year. A golf tournament supports the assistance program.

MARIAN Keeping tuition affordable is central to the school’s mission. This year, 50% of the student body is receiving assistance, totaling $1.6 million. The school works with each family. Help can come from scholarships, work study and payment plans. MarianFest, a student walk-a-thon and the Marian Fund support tuition programs.

MOUNT MICHAEL The school tries to make the high school possible for everyone. It offers merit-based scholarships and need-based grants. A work-study program also offsets some fees. At an annual event called Night of Knights, portions of the revenue are di-

rected toward financial aid.

RONCALLI CATHOLIC Ninety-six percent of students receive scholarships or financial aid. Many scholarships are individually funded. The school’s biggest fundraiser, Festa del Leone, is held each spring. Other events include Swing With Pride, A. Len Leavitt Memorial Golf Open, Taste of Pride (wine tasting) and Trivia Night. The funds raised give the school the ability to welcome anyone in search of a Catholic education.

MERCY The school offers a negotiated tuition program, which is determined by each family’s needs and incomes. More than 82% of families benefit, and $1.8 million in tuition assistance is distributed annually.

Officials say Mercy provides more financial assistance, per student, than any other high school in the Omaha area. FIESTA, Golf Fest, student fundraisers and more

help raise funds as well as an endowment established by the Sisters of Mercy and Friends of Mercy.

DUCHESNE ACADEMY More than 50% of students receive financial aid. It comes in part from the Duchesne Fund, an annual fundraising drive that supports operational costs, including tuition assistance. Bequests, endowed scholarships and Conge, the school’s annual dinner/auction event, also help to provide funds to ensure every qualified student has access to a Sacred Heart education.

SKUTT CATHOLIC Students receive an average aid amount of $4,500. One in three utilize a financial aid/work-study program. Merit scholarships are also awarded to incoming freshmen. Angel Flight is the school’s premier fundraising event. Trivia Night, Food Days and the HawkWalk also raise money for tuition assistance.

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

WHAT MAKES PRIVATE SCHOOLS SPECIAL?

By Marjie Ducey Ask families what defines Brownell Talbot School, and they’ll likely say it’s the sense of community.

That’s in large part because it’s the only school in the city where a child can attend from age 3 until heading off to college. Many families have multiple students enrolled.

Last spring, in a class of 35, the school graduated 13 students who had been at Brownell Talbot since first grade or earlier.

“There’s a reason I’ve been here practically my whole life,’’ recent graduate Surya Buddharaju said.

“It’s a community like no other.’’

Every private school in Omaha has something special that graduates remember long after they’ve left the building.

Mercy High School participates in the annual Mercy Girl Effect, joining other schools across the country to raise money to support humanitarian efforts in Third World countries. Last year, funds provided basic necessities for misplaced Syrian refugees living in camps in Lebanon. This year, the focus is sustainability. Funds will go to planting trees in Africa. Sponsored by the student council, project activities included a class penny war, a dodgeball tournament and a special pizza luncheon with booths and sale items. “It’s so special because the student body comes together for a common purpose — to help others and to build school spirit,’’ said Sophie Harvat, student council president.

marjie.ducey@owh.com, 402-444-1034, twitter.com/mduceyowh

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

T O N Y M C G O WA N

Kids from all grades at Brownell Talbot School interact, with kindergartners heading to class across from an upper school art room. Plus, older kids mentor the youngsters in the lower grades. As is done every year, the speech team, which was a state champion in 2018-2019, helped the fourth-graders rehearse for their annual Wax Museum. Every BT student participates in the homecoming unity walk, lining the courtyard to cheer on the fall athletes.

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Junior Raleigh Kreis receives a ring from senior Lauren Coldiron during the 2019 ring ceremony, a tradition at Duchesne Academy.

Each spring, seniors present juniors with their rings, then turn their own to face outward. It’s a symbol of their imminent departure from Duchesne, and their responsibility to spread the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the world.

Sacred Heart grads find each other all over the world, thanks to those rings. “It is truly unique to make an instant connection with students who live across the country and have a shared high school experience,” recent graduate Sunny Washington said.

ANNA FINOCCHIARO

JOE MIXAN

Field Day at Marian isn’t a typical day of track and field events. It’s a colorful, creative and fun-filled competition between the classes to see who can display the most school spirit. The event takes place in April, but students prepare for the big day for months. About 3,000 people came to watch last April. “You have such a small amount of time to work on something so large. It brings classes together to create something bigger than yourself. It’s stressful and crazy, but it’s awesome,” said sophomore Elleiana Green.

BROTHER LUKE CLINTON, O.S.B.

After students move in at Mount Michael, an all-school picnic is held near the bell tower. It starts with a Mass in which students lead the choir and band members contribute music. New parents, alumni parents, teachers, staff members, members of the monastic community, members of the board and others attend to showcase the community to the new families. Afterward, each family contributes a dinner side to go along with the main entry supplied by the booster club. Senior Calvin Benson describes the picnic as “a great way to start the school year because it brings families together and introduces the new families to the great community of Mount Michael.”

S K U T T C AT H O L I C

First Friday Popsicle Day is a fun way to finish the first week of school at Skutt Catholic. All the students are invited outside for the treat. A rewarding part of being a student at Skutt Catholic is the ability to be involved in activities and athletics while achieving academic excellence, graduates say. In fact, 93% of the students are involved in a sport or activity. The reading of the Legend of the SkyHawk caps a student’s time at the school and ushers them into being an alum. The SkyHawk is named because it soars higher than others of its species. It is a messenger calling others to reach their highest potential and to be closer to God.

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Developing Mind, Soul and Body One of the nation’s leading college prep educations for young men

ESTABLISHED: 1970

OPEN HOUSE:

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2019 1:00 - 4:00PM

OUR MISSION: Mount Michael Benedictine School is a Catholic college preparatory residential/day high school rooted in Benedictine values for young men committed to excellence. Students develop spiritually, intellectually, and socially through the comprehensive curriculum and communal experience to become future leaders.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• $11,057,026 scholarship dollars offered to the Class of 2019 • Class of 2019 Average ACT: 30.4 • 5 Year Average ACT: 29 • 7:1 Student-to-teacher ratio • Average Class Size: 14 • 14 Countries Represented in Enrollment • 21 Extracurricular Activities offered

CONTACT US: 402-238-1457 or 402-289-4539 mountmichael.com Tom Maliszewski - Director of Admissions admissions@mountmichael.org 22520 Mt Michael Rd, Elkhorn, NE

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

SPONSORED FEATURE

Instilling values, building foundations for young mens’ lives

By Maggie O’Brien Special for Mount Michael Benedictine School Mount Michael Benedictine School helped Christy Crnkovich’s three sons become well-rounded, confident, educated men.

“They learned how to set goals and execute them, to accomplish things and to advocate for themselves,” Crnkovich says. “Mount Michael has helped them build a strong foundation for the rest of their lives.”

Mount Michael Benedictine School near Elkhorn is an all-boys college preparatory high school that has been a part of the metro’s private school community since 1970.

Originally founded as a seminary, the Benedictine monks of Mount Michael Abbey decided that a school was a better use of their talents and resources.

The school’s original enrollment of just more than 100 has grown to about 240 today. About two-thirds of the students live on its 440-acre campus during the week, commuting home on weekends.

“What really sets us apart is the relationships that are made here at Mount Michael,” says Thomas Maliszewski, a 2013 graduate who is now the school’s director of admissions. “Since it’s a smaller school, our teachers and staff can provide a lot more individualized attention and are extremely generous with their time before and after school. Community is the first Benedictine value, and our students feel that.”

Mount Michael offers a comprehensive core curriculum. All students are required to take four years of math, science, English, social studies and theology, plus two years of a foreign language. The majority of students earn college credits by taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes.

Mount Michael announced this month it has been named a National Blue Ribbon School for academics — the highest honor the federal government can bestow on a school. Mount Michael also has earned the top ranking from Boarding School Review for All-Boys Boarding Schools in the country in affordability and ACT/SAT scores. Academic teams have won numerous state championships over the years.

“We take a lot of pride in our students’ academic performance and academic excellence,” Maliszewski says.

Athletics is also an important part of student development. The school boasts Top 10 football, basketball and soccer teams.

“Right now, from an athletic standing, Mount Michael is as good as it has ever

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

The David “DJ” Sokol Learning for Life building was dedicated at Mount Michael Benedictine School in January 2018.

been,” Maliszewski says.

The David “DJ” Sokol Learning for Life Building, completed last year, has been a game-changer for students and staff, Maliszewski says. Encompassing 47,350 square feet, it includes state-of-the-art chemistry, physics and biology labs, math and engineering classrooms, a library/media center and administrative offices.

Now, freshmen through seniors are taking architecture, engineering and other classes with a STEM (science, tech, engineering and mathematics) focus.

At the core of Mount Michael’s curriculum is spiritual development. That component compelled Crnkovich to enroll her sons — Jarrett, 24, Alex, 18, and Eli, 17 — and work there herself. Crnkovich, who lives in Omaha, is a guidance counselor at Mount Michael.

Her husband, Randy, is an AP biology and anatomy teacher.

“I think of Mount Michael as a gigantic family,” Crnkovich said. “The values we all try to instill in the boys and the healthy environment give them a huge sense of overall well-being.”

Athletics is an important part of student development at Elkhorn Mount Michael. Here, Calvin Benson runs the ball against Roncalli.

CHRIS MACHIAN/ THE WORLD-HERALD

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

ESTABLISHED: 1993

OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAy, NOvEmBEr 10 , 2019 NOON - 3:00Pm

OUr mISSION:

V.J. & Angela Skutt Catholic High School forms and educates young men and women to become Christian leaders who empower others, promote justice, and initiate change.

By THE NUmBErS:

• Last year, Skutt Catholic students: ◆ Earned $17.2 million in college scholarships ◆ Achieved three perfect 36 ACT scores ◆ Earned eight National Merit Scholarship recognitions, including four finalists ◆ Won four Nebraska State Athletic Association Championships, the NSAA Cup and the Omaha World Herald All Sports Award ◆ Volunteered over 14,000 hours • Our students join us from 31 different schools, representing 27 zip codes and 25 Catholic parishes. Nearly 25% attended public school prior to joining Skutt Catholic, and 10% of the school population is non-Catholic.

• Skutt Catholic’s composite ACT average, currently 25.6, typically ranks among the top 10% of scores nationally.

• Skutt Catholic High School offers more than 150 different college preparatory, 18 advanced placement and 21 dual credit courses.

• Thanks to our extensive dual credit course offerings, our students have the opportunity to earn college credits in art, computer programming, English, foreign language, math, science and social studies, simultaneously while earning their high school diploma.

• We have embarked on extensive building renovations, promoting innovative teaching and interactive learning.

Recent expansions enhance school security and course offerings in the sciences, arts, broadcasting and choral music programs.

CONTACT US: 402-333-0818 • SkuttCatholic.com 3131 S. 156th St, Omaha NE

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

ESTABLISHED: 1863

Call Director of Admissions Kim Schinzel at 402.556.3772 to schedule a private tour.

OUR MISSION: Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School: Every student. Every mind. Every heart. Known. Inspired. Challenged.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Every student. Every mind. Every heart.

Known. Inspired. Challenged.

Nebraska’s only private, independent, college prep school for students ages 3 through grade 12.

brownell.edu/goBT

• BT is ethnically diverse with 36% of students identifying as persons of color.

• BT offers world languages in all grades beginning with 3-year-olds in the Early Years program.

• The average class size is 14 students.

• BT offers 11 team sports and 17 extracurriculars.

• College counseling seminar classes begin in eighth grade with every Upper School student assigned a counselor for individual guidance.

• 27% of students receive financial aid to attend BT. • The mean ACT score for Upper School students is 28.5, almost 8 points above the state average.

• 100% of graduates are accepted to college.

CONTACT US: 402-556-3772 • brownell.edu/goBT kim.schinzel@brownell.edu 400 N. Happy Hollow Blvd, Omaha, NE

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

ESTABLISHED: 1881

OPEN HOUSE:

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2019 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM or call for private tour

OUR MISSION:

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is an independent, Catholic, college-preparatory high school for girls in grades 9-12. Duchesne was established in Omaha in 1881 and is one of 24 Network of Sacred Heart Schools in the United States and Canada.

Central to its mission is the value Duchesne places on the development of the total person and, therefore, the school commits itself to building an environment characterized by an active faith life, love of learning, creativity, and lifetime relationships.

BY THE NUMBERS:

#discoverduchesne Discover Duchesne for yourself!

For more information or to schedule a tour, contact our Admissions Director, Mrs. Lauren Mueller, at lmueller@duchesneacademy.org or 402-810-9966.

@duchesneacademy

• 338 students from 47 zip codes are enrolled for the 2019-2020 school year • 9:1 student to teacher ratio with an average class size of 15 • Over 35 clubs to join • 65% of student participate in at least one sport • The class of 2019 was awarded more than $19.9 million in scholarships • 96% of the class of 2019 received at least one scholarship • Average ACT score for the class of 2019: 27

CONTACT US: Address: 3601 Burt Street, Omaha, NE 68131 Admissions Director: Lauren Mueller Phone: 402-810-9966 Email: lmueller@duchesneacademy.org Website: www.duchesneacademy.org

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

6 2

3

5

1 Brownell Talbot School 2 Concordia Junior-Senior

High School

4

1

8

3 Creighton Preparatory School 4 Duchesne Academy of the

Sacred Heart

5 Mercy High School 6 Mount Michael Benedictine

High School

7 Quest Forward Academy

7

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8 Skutt Catholic High School

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A Family Tradition Since 1921 rotellasbakery.com

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

ESTABLISHED: 1878

OPEN HOUSE:

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2019 11:30AM - 2:00PM

OUR MISSION: Creighton Preparatory School forms men of faith, scholarship, leadership and service in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• 50 area ZIP Codes represented in a diverse student population • Over $2.5 million awarded to 52% of all students in financial assistance and academic scholarships • 12:1 student to faculty ratio, 19 average class size • 90% of student involvement in 70+ clubs, activities and athletics • 98% of graduates attend a college or university • 26.3 average ACT score • $37,851 average four-year college scholarship earned last year • 185 grads earned college scholarships, 52 earned full tuition

CONTACT US: Omaha’s Jesuit College Preparatory School Since 1878 7400 Western Ave. Omaha, NE 68114-1878 | 402.393.1190 CreightonPrep.org/Admissions

402-393-1190 CreightonPrep.org/Admissions 7400 Western Ave., Omaha NE 68114-1878

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

ESTABLISHED: 1998

OPEN HOUSE: Experience Concordia Day FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 NOON - 3:00PM.

!

Y L I M A F A I D R O C N O C E H T N I O J .o r g a h a m O a i d r o w w w. C o N C

OUR MISSION: Concordia Students are...

Faith Secure, World Ready, Kingdom Leaders.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Faith-infused welcoming community • K-12 STEM curriculum • Faith in Action through community service • Student leadership development • 31 Average ACT Top 25% • 50+ Student Activities • 10+ Nebraska School Activities State Qualifiers • 45 Dual and AP Credits Offered

CONTACT US: 402-990-9444 Dawn Cooksey, Admissions Director cookseyd@concordiaomaha.org Concordia Academy (K-5) 1821 N 90th St Concordia Jr.-Sr. High (6-12) 15656 Fort St

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

WELCOMING APPLICATIONS GR ADES 9 -12

ESTABLISHED: 2017

High school years are important.

Make them count.

Open HOuse saturday, nOvember 16, 2019 10 a.m. – nOOn

Our mIssIOn:

Part of a growing global network of forwardthinking, independent high schools, Quest Forward Academy develops the mindset, habits, and skills students need to succeed through college and career.

Supported by mentor teachers, students master academic content, expand their knowledge, engage with the world, and learn how to learn. Success is not just about answering questions correctly—it’s about learning how to ask them well.

by tHe numbers: Every aspect of Quest Forward Academy has been designed to foster student growth.

With the welcoming, inclusive atmosphere

• • • •

• • •

and exciting curriculum, it’s easy to see why it’s a high school students want to attend.

www.questforward.academy/OM

•

Current Enrollment: 64 Anticipated enrollment for Fall 2020: 110 7:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio Located on the campus of Bellevue University, with state-of-the-art science labs 4 years of college counseling 4 years of career counseling 100% of students complete internship programs, gaining real-world experience 50%+ of students receive Ricketts Family Scholarships

COntaCt us: JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE: NOVEMBER 16

TH

(402) 403-1267 • omaha@questforward.academy to RSVP

B ELLE V U E UNIVERS IT Y C AMPUS | 1 0 0 0 GALVIN RD. SO U TH | B ELLE V U E , NE , 6 8 0 0 5 | (4 02) 4 03-126 7

Lauren Dombrowski, Director of Admissions ldombrowski@questforward.academy (402) 403-1267 www.questforward.academy/OM On the Campus of Bellevue University 1000 Galvin Road South, Bellevue, NE 68005 https://www.facebook.com/qfaomaha 0000076007-02

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

.

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

SPONSORED FEATURE

Forwardthinking high school Quest Forward Academy students develop the mindset, habits and skills to succeed in life and career Special for Quest Forward Academy Fall is in full swing, and so is the school year. For some students that means endless note-taking and cramming for tests about subjects that don’t seem relevant. For others, it can mean another year of being lost in large classrooms and struggling to get the help they need to succeed.

At Quest Forward Academy, we believe that education can be better for every type of student. In our classrooms, learning revolves around each student’s particular learning style. Our model allows students to slow down in classes where they are struggling, or dive headlong into a subject they are passionate about — all while receiving the support of our expert mentors.

Here are five ways that Quest Forward Academy helps students find their passions and become engaged, lifelong learners who are prepared for wherever life takes them.

1. PROJECT-BASED LEARNING Traditional classroom environments can feel restrictive, with students forced to sit at desks all day, passively taking notes without ever knowing the why behind what they are learning. Project-forward learning is at the center of every Quest Forward Academy course. Students explore subjects through the lens of real-world problems and challenges.

Through hands-on projects, students begin to understand the world deeply.

2. STUDENT CHOICE Not only is our curriculum project-based, it is centered on student choice. By encouraging students to pursue their passions in conjunction with their studies, Quest Forward Academy is able to offer a curriculum that is relevant and engaging. As a result, learning is student-driven. Whatever a student’s passion, from journalism to visual effects to community activism, Quest Forward Academy provides the space for students to explore and incorporate it into their everyday school work.

3. PERSONALIZED PACING Another important distinction between

COURTESY PHOTO

Quest Forward Academy’s small class sizes allow more opportunities for teachers to engage students one-on-one and check in regularly on their academic progress and well-being.

COURTESY PHOTO

Quest Forward Academy and other schools is that students and mentors work together to establish a pace that works for each student. Our curriculum is flexible enough to accommodate individual needs, whether that means moving ahead of the rest of the class or taking extra time in a challenging subject.

Students aren’t overwhelmed or bored by the pace of a class, because it is informed by what works best for them.

Quest Forward Academy Omaha is an independent high school that allows students to learn at a personalized pace and pursue their passions.

4. SMALL CLASS SIZE With a small class size, our teachers have many more opportunities to engage students in one-on-one time. They are able to check in regularly with a student’s academic progress and well-being. The small class size also allows us to foster a tight-knit community where all students, regardless of their background, culture or circumstance, are welcome.

5. ESSENTIAL HABITS We know that success in life requires much more than grades. That is why we prioritize 6 Essential Habits that help students develop the skills and values they need to succeed

in college or in a career. Students practice and reflect on these habits consistently, such as Be Curious, Manage Yourself and Communicate and Collaborate. Our teachers meet with students regularly to help assess student growth in each habit as it relates to their school work and everyday life.

Learn more at our open house Experience a new kind of learning Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon. Try out our curriculum during our mini classes, as well as tour the campus and meet our staff. To register, visit www.questforward.academy/OM or call 402-403-1267.

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

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SPOnSOred Feature

triumphs of note From early years to college prep, Huntington builds academic success Special for Huntington Learning Center

When it comes to academic success, the most profound accomplishments aren’t just numbers.

The first glimpse of confidence on a struggling student’s face, or a teen celebrating acceptance into a dream college – these moments of triumph are the real measure of success at Huntington Learning Center.

Huntington’s academic programs grow right along with students, explains Gwyn Morris of Huntington Learning Center in Omaha.

“The needs change as the students grow,” Morris says. “For instance, we have had kids come in and do a learning center program, return in middle school to get help with study skills, and then come back in high school for ACT prep.”

No matter a student’s age or grade level, Huntington offers a variety of courses and programs designed to boost academic performance, hone skills and prep for tests.

Here are just a few success stories from the Huntington grade book.

ADOBESTOCK.COM

SKILL buILdInG

HOMEWORK HELP

teSt PREP

“There are a lot of things that we love about Huntington.

We love the regular meetings with staff to keep up on how our child is doing. We love that staff will do whatever it takes so our child is successful — from trying a different teacher, trying different strategies or taking a short break from a difficult task. We love that staff are so accommodating and willing to work around our crazy schedule. Finally, we love that our child enjoys going.

Her confidence has grown so much during her time at Huntington. Thank you for everything!”

— Parent of a fifth-grader at Aldrich Elementary School

“Flexible scheduling helped to bring my daughter’s grade from 56, failing, to passing at 74 within six weeks.”

— Parent of an 11th-grader at Elkhorn High School

“The tutoring services at Huntington helped me tremendously on the ACT and my general knowledge increased as a result. Very helpful, friendly staff.”

— Joy Abels, home schooled student

“We really appreciate the individualized program devised for our child and her learning needs. We also like the progress report meetings.”

— Parent of a ninth-grader at Millard West High School

“I am extremely happy with Huntington Learning Center.

The staff is No. 1 in tutoring. My son went from a C grade to a B+. And his grade keeps improving. Thanks to Huntington!”

— Parent of a 10th-grader at Mount Michael High School “My daughter is already doing better with her organizational skills as well as getting caught up in her tough classes.”

— Parent of an 11th-grader at Central High School who received advanced study skills in addition to homework help

“We like that the tutors work at the student’s pace and that the instruction is on an individual basis. Our son’s math instructor has been amazing!”

— Parent of a Skutt Catholic High School student “My daughter took the ACT prep courses and improved her score by five points! She gained confidence and learned test strategies to help her in all of her classes.”

— Parent of an 11th-grader at Millard North High School 0000076137-01

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

WHERE OMAHA MOMS CONNECT

Omaha Moms!

Hear from other local moms, parenting experts and pediatricians on momaha.com lSpecial online features & contests lGreat food, entertainment & craft ideas lOur weekly Thursday newsletter, featuring calendar and event listings, upcoming momaha events, weekly blogs from parenting experts

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

ESTABLISHED: 1955

OPEN HOUSE:

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2019 1:00 P.M.-3:30 P.M.

OUR MISSION: Mercy High School is a diverse educational community, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, focusing on academic excellence and inspiring young girls to become confident women of Mercy who embody faith, knowledge and compassionate service.

BY THE NUMBERS:

What she needs to succeed.

Founded and led by passionate women, Mercy High School offers girls of every background the opportunity for success. Our college-prep curriculum combines academic excellence and extracurricular activities with immersive leadership coaching tailored to each year of development.

Learn more at mercyhigh.org

• 100% of students receive free ACT prep from OnTo College with John Baylor.

• 100% have the opportunity to participate in the Kaleidoscope, a unique four-year leadership and empowerment program which encourages each student to maximize individual strengths.

• 100% of Omaha zip codes and income levels represented.

• Over $6 million in college scholarships earned by the Class of 2019.

• $1.8 million given in tuition assistance-more per student than any other Omaha area high school.

• 10,000 plus hours of service performed by students annually.

• More than 40 sports, clubs and student organizations.

• 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

• More than $3 million invested in building improvements the last three years.

CONTACT US: 402-553-9424 Admissions Director, Mrs. Anne McGill ’00 mcgilla@mercyhigh.org • mercyhigh.org 1501 S.48th St., Omaha, NE 68106

  

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• Sunday, October 20, 2019

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

PLEASE JOIN US FOR MARIAN’S ANNUAL

OPEN HOUSE! Sunday, November 24 Noon - 2:30 p.m.

marianhighschool.net

7 4 0 0 M I L I TA RY AV E N U E

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OMAHA, NE 68134 0000076130-01

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

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SPOnSOred Feature

The Rotella legacy — nearly a century old and counting — is equal parts Old World skill, commitment to quality and dedication to service.

C O U R T E S Y O F R O T E L L A FA M I LY

CEO and President Louis Rotella Jr., center, and the Rotella’s Italian Bakery family. From left to right: Dean Jacobsen, Helena Anderson, Dean Jacobsen Jr., John Rotella, Lou Rotella Jr., Lou Rotella III, Jim Rotella, Gina Rotella.

Pride in every slice Louis Rotella Jr. leads iconic brand with a mindset of excellence, innovation and charity

By Dan McCann Special for Rotella’s Italian Bakery The state-of-the-art production lines run almost non-stop these days — local and nationwide demand requires it. Industrial mixers churn and aerate huge batches of dough: white, whole wheat and pumpernickel. They’re divided, shaped and baked into seemingly endless streams of slider, hoagie and hamburger buns, signature Vienna Sliced Bread and Steakhouse Twists.

To the outsider, the scope of the operation, from the battalions of baking trays to the delivery-ready pallets of packaged product, the Italian flag and wheat shaft logo front and center, is almost overwhelming. And yet, it all comes back to the simplest of ingredients — flour, water, salt and yeast — transformed through care and chemistry. Likewise, the Rotella legacy — nearly a century old and counting — is equal parts Old World skill, commitment to quality and dedication to service.

Opened after Alessandro and Maria Rotella immigrated to America and settled in Omaha, Rotella’s Italian Bakery is under the steady and visionary leadership of their grandson, Louis Rotella Jr. While revering the techniques of his Italian grandparents, the 70-year-old president and CEO has also accelerated the growth-momentum of his father, Louis Sr., elevating the bakery from a local favorite to a powerhouse supplier nationwide.

“He’s always been focused on making his father proud — proud that he raised a hard-working son capable of achieving big dreams,” says Louis Rotella III, Louis Jr.’s son and Rotella’s chief operating officer.

Louis Jr. started dabbling in the family business shortly after learning to walk. At age 3, he was riding on his father’s bakery delivery truck. By eighth grade, he had learned all aspects of running production.

“He grew up in the business,” Louis III says.

After graduating from Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha) in the 1970s, Louis Jr. became partners with his father.

“At that point, the bakery’s reach was 100% in Omaha — the grocery stores and the restaurants here. It wasn’t until 1980 that my dad had the idea of expanding outside Omaha,” Louis III says.

The bakery’s first expansion was to Lincoln, then to Des Moines. Louis Jr. launched a national campaign to sell fresh, frozen bread, steadily increased route distribution, and entered into sales agreements with regional and national restaurant chains.

“He was able to pair a particular product or create a specialty product for those chains,” Louis III says. “We’ve become a true specialty wholesale manufacturer.”

In 1989, Rotella’s Italian Bakery moved from 24th Street to its current four-building complex in La Vista. Louis Jr. has prioritized

those technical advances that have allowed the nation to experience Rotella’s line of some 400 products.

“My father really learned about automation from his father. Automation was key to growing our business,” Louis III says. “Old-World skill and experience coupled with modern technology are part of our mission. It’s allowed my father to accomplish what he wanted to on a larger scale.”

Even as the company has grown — to about 400 employees today — Louis Jr. remains very hands-on.

“My dad models excellence,” Louis III says.

“He enjoys being in the plant, creating and developing new products, and saying hello to the employees — the Rotella’s Bakery family.”

The family business, founded in 1921, has extended to a fifth generation. Success is evident. It’s also shared through a host of philanthropic endeavors and ideals, including Special Olympics, JDRF and quality education.

(Louis Jr. attended the now-defunct St. Ann Catholic School and Archbishop Ryan High School. Louis III and his two brothers attended St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic School and Creighton Prep.)

“Giving back is rooted in the company, and that has never changed,” Louis IIl says.

Neither has the bakery’s commitment to excellence, innovation and turning the finest — but simplest — ingredients into high-quality, customer-pleasing products.

Louis Rotella Jr., in his father’s bread delivery truck in the early 1950s.

Louis Jr., working in the family production facility in 1970.

Lou Sr. and Lou Jr. moved the family Bakery to La Vista 30 years ago. Pictured are Louis Rotella Sr. and Louis Rotella Jr. when the La Vista property was purchased by the bakery in 1987.

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g n i k a B

m a h O a r o F d Brea 21 Since 19

“Baking high quality products begins with the finest

ld sk ingredients, integrated carefully with old world skills passed on from generation to generation n.”

rotellabakery.com

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• Sunday, October 20, 2019

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

INVEST IN SUCCESS AWARDS CHANCELLORS $9,000 ($2,250/yr)

GPA of 3.80 out of 4.0

PRESIDENTS

$8,000 ($2,000/yr) GPA of 3.40 out of 4.0

INVESTING IN YOUR SUCCESS We know that high school GPA is a strong predictor of student success at Peru State College.

Students that qualify will be guaranteed a renewable tuition award in their official admissions letter by completing an application for admission, including submission of an official high school transcript and official ACT/SAT score.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SCHOLARSHIPS AT:

WWW.PERU.EDU/ADMISSIONS/COST-AID

DEANS

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Nebraska’s First College • Established in 1867 • Peru, Nebraska • 1-800-742-4412 Member Institution of the Nebraska State College System Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1915 • Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) 0000076016-01