Enrichment Opportunities
AP Classes are high school classes with college level workload and expectations. Students earn high school credit by passing the course. College credit can be earned by scoring a 3, 4, or a 5 on the AP exam taken in May.
Dual Enrollment/Concurrent Enrollment
Students register for an ACTUAL college course that is taught either at the high school or on the college campus . Both high school credit and college credit is earned by passing the class. Students start a college transcript when they dual enroll.
The Zoo Academy is open to incoming 11th and 12th grade students interested in conservation and animal research. The Academy partners with the Henry Doorly Zoo to offer a unique and innovative curriculum on the zoo campus.
The UNMC High School Alliance is a health sciences enrichment program for students interested in health professions who are entering 11th or 12th grade. As part of the program, students interact with a variety of health professionals, patients, and researchers. Students admitted take classes on the UNMC campus daily from 1-3 p.m.
Intern Omaha partners with school districts and employers with the goal of providing yearlong work-based learning opportunities to high school seniors across Omaha. The program has paid internships available with more than 90 unique employers and in careers fields such as automotive, trades/manufacturing, technology, healthcare, business and non-profit management. Students accepted will work from the summer after 11th grade through graduation. Students apply during their 11th grade year.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Registered Apprenticeship Programs are partnerships between the student, Westside High School, a specific company, and the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Office of Apprenticeship. Apprentices are paid for their employment and upon completion of the program will earn a nationally recognized occupational credential from the United States Department of Labor. Registered Apprenticeship Programs of Study include: Welder Combination, Automotive Technician, and Industrial Manufacturing.
HATCH is an entrepreneurship program for 11th and 12th grade students. HATCH students are empowered to dive deeper into understanding problems by creating businesses that directly solve the problem. As a result of identifying the problem; students work to develop solutions benefiting the community through a new start-up or for an existing non or for profit organization in the local community. Students will work in teams or individually to identify the problem, develop a solution, test the solution in the market, and modify and implement the solution.
Metropolitan Community College Career Academy provides an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to learn specific career knowledge and skills prior to high school graduation. By participating in year-long MCC Career Academies, students can explore a career field and even get a start on a degree and/or job, all while earning up to 37 college credit hours.