(LPS Science Focus Program at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo)
“In the mid-1990’s, the Cooper Foundation made a grant to the Lincoln Public Schools that was truly transformational, providing funds for the teaching staff of the newly proposed Science Focus Program (known affectionately as the Zoo School) for a full year to develop and plan for the program’s opening.
The new program had several goals, including organizing the curriculum around an area of focus and creating interdisciplinary courses of studies, creating a smaller learning community where every student and teacher knew each other, and in a broader sense, an opportunity to ‘do high school differently.’
In conversations with the Cooper Foundation, it became clear that this opportunity was of great interest – a chance to develop something new for students. The financial gift, and even more so, the credibility of the Cooper Foundation’s name, investment, and endorsement, were essential to our learning about different models for high schools, and for the launch of the first focus program. I am forever grateful for the investment of the foundation in this venture.”
– Marilyn Moore, retired Associate Superintendent for Instruction, Lincoln Public Schools
In 1996 and 1997, The Cooper Foundation contributed $64,905 to fund the planning process that launched this unique learning opportunity in the fall of 1997, Lincoln Public Schools’ first high school focus program in partnership with the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. In its first year, the Science Focus Program “Zoo School” drew 80 students from the city’s four high schools as well as Pius X Catholic High School. Students attended morning classes at their home school, then spent afternoons at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Goals for the Zoo School—and the additional focus programs that opened in subsequent years—included interdisciplinary curriculum, learning based on student interest, community-based connection and technology infusion.
(Zoo School Students)
Soon after the concept expanded to include the Arts and Humanities Program and the Technology Program (which was developed into the Career Academy in partnership with Southeast Community College). Today there are 10 focus programs embedded into LPS high schools and in the community.
(Focus Program Student)
Lincoln Public Schools Focus Programs
We believe young people can only dream as big as they’ve seen. By fully leveraging our partners’ strengths, Bay High will provide the experiences, skills and network they need to not just gain a seat at the table, but to be ready for it!
– Mike Smith, co-founder/director of Rabble Mill, and founder of The Bay
Nearly 25 years after our initial funding that helped start the high school focus programs, the Cooper Foundation was offered another opportunity to advance a new learning concept – to launch a high school at The Bay, a skate park and education center offering music, art, and technology programs.
(The Bay)
The Bay was known for its exceptional and unique ways of working with young people, and the vision for Bay High was to reach students who are restricted by a lack of access, lack of opportunity and the confines of traditional education and provide the skills they need for post-secondary education and a career.
(The Bay, Open Skate)
Lincoln Public Schools was supportive of this idea, especially to reach an audience of students who might not otherwise be engaged, who would be encouraged to explore their passions and build on their innate talents.
Bay High’s focus would be content creation and emerging digital technology including photography and videography, coding and development, design and digital asset creation and digital storytelling and podcasting, while also helping students hone skills necessary for college and the workforce.
(The Bay, Beatmaking)
Cooper Foundation granted $150,000 in start-up funds for Bay High, quickly joined by ALLO/Nelnet and Spreetail to provide the private investment necessary to launch the program. Additional partners followed, including Ameritas, Archrival, BVH Architecture, Community Health Endowment, CompanyCam, The Skatepark Project, Union Bank & Trust, Woods Charitable Fund, WRK Family Foundation, and more.
Bay High opened in 2022 with a curriculum rooted in hands-on, project-based initiatives that go beyond the classroom — reflecting the increasing demand for creativity in today’s business environment, as well as new innovative ways of learning that connect best with Gen Z. In line with The Bay’s engagement opportunities for young people, skateboarding, music and fashion serve as associated creative disciplines.
“Young people need culturally relevant programming and talent-building education to connect the dots between their organic interests and the jobs of tomorrow. Our goal is to pipeline young people at The Bay who have this digital talent, and the business partners and college programs that need it.”
– Andrew Norman, co-founder of Bay High/executive director of Rabble Mill
(Bay High, Fashion Class)