Why was New Frontier created?
Millard South administrators and teachers evaluated students who were not successful in the traditional high school environment, and common characteristics of these students were identified. A proposed school-within-a-school evolved from this study. New Frontier provides students with these characteristics the tools to be successful in 11th and 12th grade and afterwards.

How was New Frontier created?
New Frontier was created by several dedicated individuals who realized many students need such a program in order to be successful. The program was funded through a state lottery three-year grant from the state of Nebraska. The grant provided for three years of operation, including a year of research and development before the first year of student participation, which was 1998-99 school year.

What is the purpose of New Frontier?
The purpose of the New Frontier is to be a bridge for students between middle school and junior and senior years in high school. During the freshman and sophomore years, New Frontier provides students with the necessary skills needed to be successful in high school and beyond. Geography
Similar to World Geography, this class introduces the student to the ideas that today's world is driven by interrelationships between nations. Students will develop a world perspective on current events.

Career
Career introduces students to the skills and behaviors needed to obtain and hold a job in today's fast moving job market. Students will complete personal inventories, build their own resumes, and explore the idea of running their own businesses.

Algebra Foundations
This courses contain all the curriculum typically found in a typical Algebra course. Students who successfully complete both years of Algebra Foundations will have satisfied the Algebra graduation requirement.

Algebra I
Algebra is a course designed for those students who have mastered the basics of arithmetic and pre-algebra and are capable of understanding mathematics in a more abstract form.

English
Similar to English 10, students will analyze and respond to various types of literature from the reader's and writer's perspectives. Students will learn to be reflective writers who understand and use appropriate writing strategies to create strong and clear pieces.

Biology
Students are offered an opportunity to explore diversity and interdependence in our living world. Students will have hands-on experiences weekly to learn about cells, plants, and animals.

Sherri Andersen-  smandersen@mpsomaha.org

Sherri Andersen is the department chair and teaches English in the New Frontier program. She has an undergraduate degree in Language Arts and a master’s degree in English. She taught for 15 years at Boys Town High School and has been a trainer of social skills for Boys Town Educational Training Program. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.


Katie Bennett-  kjbennett@mpsomaha.org

Katie Bennett teaches Math and Career in the New Frontier program. She teaches Foundations 1 & 2, as well as Algebra. After studying abroad in Swansea, Wales and graduating from Iowa State with a B.S. in Mathematics, she began working at Millard South in 2004.

Michele Stogdill-  mlstogdill@mpsomaha.org

Michele Stogdill teaches American History/Geography and Career in the New Frontier program. She has an undergraduate degree in History from Buena Vista College. Ms. Stogdill has a masters degree in Secondary Administration from Central Missouri State University and another in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Social Studies from the University of Missouri. Ms. Stogdill joined the Millard South staff in 2004. Before coming to Millard South she spent twelve years teaching in Missouri.

Jacquie Welch -  jwelch@mpsomaha.org

Jacquie Welch teaches Physical Science and Biology in the New Frontier. She has three sons who all attend school in the Millard district. She graduated from Creighton University with a degree in biology and got her teaching certificate from UNO. She loves teaching and interacting with the students.


Dana Peters-  dspeters@mpsomaha.org

Diana Peters is the paraprofessional in the New Frontier program. She retired from the Internal Revenue Service in January 2005 after 32 years of service. She began working at Millard South High School in 2006.