Welcome to Westside/District 66

Once parked in the middle of prime farmland on Omaha’s western edge, the area was populated by forward-thinking residents. In their efforts to maintain a school system that provided nothing but the best education for their children, the members of three boards of education (Districts 31, 46 and 65) put their heads together to explore how to go about that.

The boards—on the advice of a committee of experts—agreed the best way forward was to use their combined, existing school facilities as much as possible, to build new where needed and to create a program that prioritized children’s individualities. The districts merged in March 1947 to form Westside Community Schools. Known more commonly today as Westside/District 66, its names are reflective of the area’s location and origin. And those names still stand for the city’s most sought-after schools and a first-class neighborhood.

Well Known For:

Its nationally recognized, award-winning school system, of course, which now holds 10 elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. They also added the state’s first focused program for special-education students and the first on-campus, all-day kindergarten and preschool programs. Classes are smaller, and teachers are required to earn a master’s degree within 10 years of their employment date. There are also several quality private and parochial schools in nearby neighborhoods.

But that’s not all Westside/District 66 is known for. Now bounded roughly by 72nd and 108th streets to the east and west and Blondo and F Street to the north and south, the district is known for 40 tight-knit, safe neighborhoods, established landscaping, active school-community involvement, and major thoroughfares and interstates to travel anywhere easily.

Area Highlights:

Westside/District 66 proper isn’t a huge hotbed of commercial enterprises, but its central location offers close, easy access to myriad popular restaurants, entertainment options, health-care providers, big-box discount and grocery stores, and shops, from essential services to upscale boutiques. State universities, city parks and Omaha’s Swanson Public Library are also conveniently nearby.

Amenities do include numerous golf courses, including the city’s premier country club, Happy Hollow. Founded by prominent Omaha businessmen in 1907, and once located near Memorial Park, the club relocated here in 1922. William Langford, a renowned golf-course designer, had an eye for utilizing the club’s former-farmland ravines, hills and valleys to layout a variety of challenging holes during the “golden age of golf design,” between the world wars.

This coveted area has an eclectic mix of homes, from sprawling luxury residences to cozy bungalows, all with tree-lined lots and curb appeal for days. You won’t be disappointed you chose to live in a Westside/District 66 neighborhood. Look over developments such as info to come to discover your new home.