Papillion-La Vista South High School

As a military brat, I move all over the US. When I moved to Papillion, I thought this school would be a very nice school and I thought I would fit in just fine. I was wrong. When I walked into PLSHS, I smiled at some people, but instead of getting a smile back I got eyes rolled at me. I've been attending this school for a week, and still, only the teachers act like I exist. I've tried introducing myself to other students, but they don't really act like they want anything to do with me. The girls are snobs. The guys are jerks. The one thing that made me put two stars instead of one would be the teachers. They're fantastic, some of the best I've ever had. However, I recommend Bellevue West for new students hoping to make friends... I am switching schools next year.
--Submitted by a student

I highly recommend Papillion-La Vista South High School. This school stands out to me among the very best in Class A in the state of Nebraska, and by far one of the best in the Omaha Metro Area. The facilities are new and very impressive. There is a focus on technology in the classrooms with nearly every classroom having a Smart Board. The school has very good communcation and is very "customer friendly". While education is clearly the focus, activities and athletics are also top notch and quite award winning. The staff goes WAY above and beyond for students. I am very pleased with my experiences with the school thus far and thrilled that it's the high school in our attendance area.
--Submitted by a parent

I've taken advanced classes almost entirely (some scrub electives just as fillers) and I can assure you that most of the classes are challenging. Only a few are able to skate-by easily. Your student won't get that one-one-one attention most parents desire though. And the teachers dislike connecting with parents (probably because of the modern detest put upon them by parents; it's your own child's fault they are doing badly.) I can't divulge on school spirit much, I had none. It was a personal choice, really. I found it ridiculous. For the rest, there is an adequate amount of spirit, you just may have to delve into the extracurriculars a bit. Administration-wise, I can't say much. I was never in trouble, therefore never met with the principals. What administration I have met seem to know what they're doing, but I can't say for sure. On a last note, be wary of who your student is friends with. They "Underground" and "Criminal" scene between students here is existent. It is a reality you'll have to face though.
--Submitted by a student

I earned a 36 on the ACT and am a candidate for Valedictorian. That said, a fair number of the teachers are utterly incompetent, both in knowledge of their subject area and teaching ability (on the other hand, there are a few I have great respect and admiration for). The school hands out A's and brags about scores on reading tests that are at a 3rd grade level in order to make itself look prestigious. I could go into a several page rant just on the administration, but suffice to say they have become a severe hindrance to many students' education.
--Submitted by a student

My college daughter has said she feels fortunate to have gone through the Papillion schools, especially Papillion South. She felt better prepared for college than many of the students she meets, including honor students from other schools. In fact, she felt her high school chemistry class was much better than the college course she took. One of the best things at Papio South are the academy courses offered. Both kids loved them. I high recommend them if a child has a special interest. The high school has a handful of teachers that are bad. But my kids also had some incredibly gifted teachers that they loved. They both enjoyed going to school at Papio South.
--Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but good memories from PLS. The people who say there is no school spirt, don't go to the basketball and football games. 'The Black Hole' is one of the best student sections in the state. The Titans has become one of the most competitive athetic departments in the state. With great softball, baseball, vollyball football and basketball programs. Papio South also has one of the best choirs in the state. Along with one of the best bands in the state. The coaches and directors are really good about allowing kids to participate in several different programs. I played football and baseball and sang in the choir and school musical.
--Submitted by a student

Very impressive. As a military parent, I was taken back by how responsive this school was ensuring my two teens made a smooth transition from our East Coast location. Both faculty and athletic staff were ready for my son and daughter's arrival. Zero glitches, no surprises. Both Transitioned with 'open arms' into Cheerleading (daughter) and Wrestling (son) tracks. Pro-active faculty ensured both were placed in academic programs that challenged their learning (great honors programs). Despite my facing an unpredictable deployment schedule, Principal-Dr Shonewise and her entire staff have been outstanding in ensuring my kid's needs are met and my wife and I are kept updated as needed/requested. Top-notch facilities both academic and athletic. Highly recommended.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent of three high schoolers and as an educator at a different school, I believe Papio South has a well-rounded program for the students. However, as a fairly-new school, administration needs to implement diversity programs both for staff and students. In comparison to other schools, Papio South students have a deep respect for their school and the staff. They are proud to be Titans both in academics and in sports. While some may think that administration is strict, these boundaries have helped our students become who they are. Children 'always' need boundaries, and the Papio South administration and teaching staff has done a great job in teaching and protecting our children. It's a great school!
--Submitted by a parent

Teachers and Ass't Principals are great. What is lacking is support for school spirit if you are outside the inner core of structured and approved programs. Those students that want to initiate fun school spirit activities are highly highly discouraged. Academics are great. I do believe that the principal is so concerned about her image that staff and students can feel a little stifled; however, the teachers do a great job in the classroom.
--Submitted by a parent

As a previous student of Papillion South I think, overall, that it is an exremely well run school. The staff and teachers meet all expectations and are available anytime to help students. The only thing that bugged me when I went there was the fact that we were so restricted with the activities we could do during spirit week and what not. a lot of Tshirt ideas were shut down because of 'innapropriateness' but Papillion (the rival school) got to do things like that. This is more a school for kids who want to learn and not goof around a lot. Students are very competitive with activities (band, choir, show choir ect..) and now that the school has been in exhistance for a while athletics are making a huge impact.