The Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA) is a program that prepares academically talented, first-generation income-eligible students in grade nine through 12 for college and their future careers.
According to Tyler Nicholas, NCPA educator at South, the academy helps students in many ways.
“Not only does NCPA help scholars prepare for the rigors of college coursework, but NCPA offers a support of peers, academic support and financial assistance to pay for college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to include tuition, books, housing and meals, and fees,” he said.
The only time a student can apply for NCPA is during 8th grade. Potential scholars must provide letters of recommendation, personal statements and then go through an interview process.
South High senior Savannah Iraheta is one of many students who was accepted after writing an essay about herself and her background. After being interviewed, Iraheta said she received a letter from NCPA stating she had been accepted.
“I was super excited, and I couldn’t believe that I had gotten in! It was truly a surreal moment in my life,” she added.
“The thing that we have been doing in class is working on scholarships, and since I’m a senior, all seniors are working on their capstones,” she said. The capstone involves the student choosing a topic, conducting research and writing a paper with a visual element which is then presented.
Iraheta added that NCPA will help her not only in college but also beyond because of the life lessons students receive during their U-PASS classes in such areas as saying no and the negative side effects of alcohol and drugs. U-PASS is the class held during the school day that is connected to NCPA.
OPS schools which offer the NCPA program are Omaha North, Omaha South and Bryan high schools.
More than 100 scholars from South participate in NCPA, and there are more than 225 scholars across all of the academics.
Nicholas said he took this position because of the academic and professional growth opportunities offered and because of his scholars.
Savannah Iraheta • Jan 28, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Great story!!! Love it!