The Superintendent's Blog

Two important moments are happening now. The first quarter is coming to a close, and part of the student achievement data from the last school year is becoming available. As I look at several of these markers, I am continually inspired by the dedication and hard work that I see from our students, staff, and families in Millard Public Schools. We are a district committed to continuous improvement in the pursuit of excellence.

One of Millard’s standout academic achievements comes from our high school students. Collectively, they earned an unbelievable 30,615 college credits through dual enrollment opportunities. These are classes that count for both high school and college credit. Thanks to the deeply reduced tuition for these dual enrollment classes, Millard families saved over $2.6 million in tuition last year alone.

The Class of 2024 also got a jump on their future through Millard’s Career Academies. More than 250 students completed one of these programs, gaining hands-on experience in areas including healthcare, STEM, education, business, logistics, and entrepreneurship.

Millard students’ performance in Advanced Placement (AP) courses continues to outpace national standards. With 28 AP courses offered across our high schools, Millard students took nearly 3,000 AP exams last spring. An impressive 80% of those exams earned passing scores of 3, 4, or 5 - well above the state and global averages of 66%. This year, a district record of 570 students earned AP Scholar distinctions.

I am especially proud of each of our high schools:

• Millard South: Last spring’s 142 graduates of Millard South’s Early College Program stand out. They earned their associate's degree at the same time as their high school diploma. We have yet to identify another high school in the United States offering a similar opportunity at the scale that we do at Millard South. It’s truly incredible.

• Millard West: Twenty-two students at Millard West earned the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma. The AP Capstone program requires deep research, analysis, and presentation skills, making this diploma a prestigious academic honor. The culmination of their work is essentially a mini dissertation. Millard West also joined an elite list of state and national schools with a Bronze AP Honor Roll designation. This is a recognition held by very few other schools in Nebraska. A high school receives AP Honor Roll recognition when they achieve high thresholds of student participation and performance in AP courses and exams.

• Millard North: Twenty-eight students earned the exceedingly difficult International Baccalaureate Diploma. Millard is the only school district in Nebraska to offer a comprehensive K-12 IB program, and students in this program have consistently been among the highest achieving in Nebraska year after year. In addition to being Nebraska’s highest-achieving IB program, Millard North also boasts one of the most robust AP programs in Nebraska, being recognized for the second year in a row with a Silver AP Honor Roll designation. This is a level of distinction held by very few other schools in Nebraska and across the region.

While much of the focus naturally falls on the achievements of our high school students, I want to highlight the incredible work happening across all levels of our district. Upchurch Elementary was just honored with the National Blue Ribbon Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions a school can receive from the federal government. Upchurch was one of only four schools in Nebraska to receive this honor, and one of 356 across the country. This achievement follows in the footsteps of Aldrich and Reeder Elementary Schools, which both earned the Blue Ribbon designation last year. In fact, 15 of our 35 schools have now been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools. To put that in perspective, Nebraska has over 1,000 public and nonpublic schools eligible for this award, making this a rare and exceptional honor for these schools and our district.

There are many outstanding schools in Nebraska. Through our dedicated staff, strong curriculum, and exceptional program opportunities, Millard students can gain a competitive advantage.

Our students work hard. Our teachers and staff go above and beyond. And our families and community partners provide unwavering support. Millard is special because of your commitment. Thank you for being part of our community, and thank you for your ongoing support of Millard Public Schools.

From Left to Right Back Row: Board Member Mike Pate, Board Member Lisa Schoenberger, Superintendent Dr. John Schwartz, Treasurer Amanda McGill Johnson, Vice President Mike Kennedy From Left to Right Front Row: Secretary Linda Poole, President Stacy Jolley

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