Norris Elementary School

12424 Weir Street

School District

Millard Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 17, 2024

Norris is an amazing elementary school. I have three special needs children and we have been to several Millard schools. Overall Norris and its staff have always gone above and beyond to support my children and to support the families of children like mine. The staff is supportive, they have a lot of supports in place for my neurodivergent kiddos and continue to work on and develop supports. Many other peers of my children are disadvantaged and Norris does a great job at helping kiddos succeed in school despite struggling economically or with disabilities. As all schools do, there is teasing and bullying that occurs but Norris did an amazing job with supporting students who are being bullied. The staff are always open to suggestions. The entire school is full of educators who love what they do and genuinely care for their students. They go above and beyond. I highly recommend Norris elementary. It is located in an area that is more diverse than other areas of millard and not as affluent, but I think this gives them an advantage because despite being in a “lower income” area then many other millard schools with higher ratings, the school works hard to provide ALL of their students with a quality education without leaving other students behind due to income, race, or disability.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2023

The leadership, teachers, and staff at this school are top notch. What I love most is that is provides education for a variety of kids from different backgrounds and cultures. The average rating on this website is deceiving because Norris is an excellent school.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2019

I feel my kids enjoy school because of the Principal, staff, and other students at Norris. They look forward to going in the morning, and have wonderful stories to share after school. Our experience has been incredible and we wouldn’t have wanted our kids anywhere else.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2019

Dropoff is a mess with most parents waiting in line, but many vehicles flying past to squeeze in at the front door. Buses will do the same, and never anyone outside to control the traffic. Only a matter of time before a child gets hit by a car. The physical condition of the building is run down, you will see siding missing paint on the outside. Very limited playground equipment. The PTO has been raising money for 'playground equipment' for years, has been no change since my children started there years ago. If you are there during the day you will see stressed out teachers yelling at kids. Unsure if the school is lacking resources or if the resources are being poorly managed.
Submitted by other on May 31, 2015

Norris Elementary has been the best school for my granddaughter. It's a close knit school and they seem very family oriented. Her 3rd grade teacher took her to an all new level in her Math. She truly cared about all her students and it showed. Mrs. Ballard, the principal is very much on top of everything. The Music and P.E.department are top knotch!!! Excellent school!! Thank you Norris.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2015

Our children have thrived in the Montessori program at Norris, both academically and in their development as individuals. They have had experiences as leaders and mentors, they have learned to solve problems in the classroom through "community meetings", and they have grown in responsibility by managing their time to finish their "work plans" each week. Some children in traditional schools in the area come home with an hour of homework (in first grade! after over 7 hours in school!). I appreciate that Montessori does not overburden my young children with busywork at home. I also appreciate the lack of bribery with trinkets for good behavior (we've had treasure boxes in other schools) and rather a focus on cooperation and privileges, owning one's behavior, and the reinforcement of positive choices. This school also still has two recess periods daily and physical education three times a week (one is a music and movement class). The music and p.e. teachers are both creative, fun, and actually teach important skills. Overall we feel Norris is a gem that still holds onto a lot of important things other schools have lost in the squeeze for academic performance.
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2014

Norris Elementary has a lot going on and the new principal seems to be on top of things. After more than ten years of driving to and from that school the drop off and pick up of children is far more efficient than before. This school is Montessori and traditional. It also provides top notch preschool for children who do not speak English as a primary language. All schools in the Millard Community study the same curriculum and take the same standardized tests. I am not sure how they rank with the rest of the schools in the area or country but I would guess they are higher on the list for quality education.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2013

Norris Elementary, Omaha, NE. Seems to be a growing problem with bullying at this school. Some teachers care and will take a active role in solving the problem, and other will turn the other way and say the kids just need to spend more time together. If your child has an IEP, good luck! Some teachers and staff do not look at it or follow it. Fact and reality from a parent, and from other parents that send their children there.