History

Our Community
Nelson Mandela Elementary is located in North Omaha, Nebraska, a community rich in the city’s history and full of multigenerational families who value family, faith, and community. Our school community is predominantly Black. 95 percent of our scholars live in households that qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Historically, the neighborhood has also shown the lowest achievement scores, high crime and poverty rates, low educational attainment by adults, and a high number of single-parent households. 

In 2014, Dianne Lozier noticed the low reading and math scores in the community of her and her husband’s business (Lozier). She hypothesized that revised teaching and educational strategies would make a positive impact in helping scholars become proficient in their core subject areas, bridge the achievement gap, and reduce generational poverty in the community. As she set out to bring her vision to life, she leaned heavily on the members of the community to shape the vision of the school.

The school was set up as a fully-funded nonprofit entity that did not charge tuition. The Lozier Foundation provided full financial support, with additional funding from the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation. The school also earned Rule 14 approval to begin operating as a school (the first step towards full accreditation, which the school now has). 

The school opened its doors in the fall of 2015 with 100 kindergarten and first grade scholars - 4 classrooms with 25 in each class. Today, Mandela’s two campuses educate more than 260 scholars, spanning grades kindergarten through 5th grade, as well as early childhood education starting at age two. 

Our Name
The school’s name was selected by community members, who were a part of several meetings to shape the school and its identity. They requested a school built on the power of education and the importance of resilience. The figure of Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, and his quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” became the foundation of the school’s values and mantra. Additional nods to Nelson Mandela include the school colors, derived from the South African flag, and the mascot - the meerkat - an animal native to South Africa. 

Why scholars instead of students?
At Mandela, all enrolled students are referred to as scholars. Suggested by a member of an advisory board, the idea was to elevate them, make the school a desirable and special place to be, and allow the children to see themselves as belonging in an education environment dedicated to excellence.