Kellom opened in November 1952 at 1311 North 24th Street. Currently, Kellom Elementary serves approximately 270 students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade. The diverse school community provides many learning opportunities for all students. Students receive additional assistance through such special programs as G.A.T.E, Special Education, and Title I Reading and Math. Kellom Elementary partners with Creighton Prep, Creighton University, Kids Club, and Completely Kids. We are proud to have the School Based Health Center located in our building as well. The focus at Kellom fosters globally responsible, compassionate, resilient, and productive citizens. The Kellom staff strives to nurture and develop the talents of active learners, increase academic achievement, develop appropriate life and social skills, and encourage healthy lifestyles within a safe environment.

The Paul Street School was the original frame building erected in 1892 at the corner of 24th and Paul. It was later renamed Kellom School. In November of 1952, this school building was replaced with the present Kellom School. It was dedicated the same year, and was the first new building constructed by the School District of Omaha in twenty-seven years.

Both the old and the new schools were named after John H. Kellom, who was a prominent figure in Omaha’s educational planning during the pioneer days. Mr. Kellom came to Omaha from New York City in 1857. He helped establish the first school in Omaha and served as a member of the original district school board. He later became a member of board of trustees for the earliest standard high school in Omaha. He also served as a teacher, a principal, and the first superintendent of schools in the city.

Kellom was the first school in Omaha to be a community enterprise. As early as 1940, school officials began suggesting the need to replace “old Kellom” with a community center. They stated, “Here is a golden opportunity for the city and the school district to provide a combined school and recreation center.” Their dream ultimately became a reality.

In addition to being the first community enterprise, Kellom was also the first school building to house children from kindergarten through sixth grade, thus truly becoming an “elementary school”.

In 1964, Kellom School was included in the local AID (Assistance for Interculturally Deprived) program, and later designated as a Title I School. This program has provided specialized instruction in reading and math.
In 1976, as a result of the desegregation plan, Kellom School became a primary center, serving children from kindergarten through third grade. In the early years of the desegregation program, Kellom received second grade students from Gilder, Giles, and Chandler View schools and the neighborhood community. Third grade students came from Pawnee, Ashland Park, Pleasant Hill and the surrounding neighborhood. As a result of some schools closing, Gilder, Pawnee and Ashland Park remained as “feeder schools”.

In 1988 a full-time guidance counselor was assigned to Kellom School. The guidance counselor provides for the social-emotional needs of students through group and individual instruction. Discussions with students, administrators, teachers, and parents are provided as needed.

In 1995, the demolition of the Logan/Fontenelle housing Projects and the implementation of scattered site housing led to a considerable decrease in Kellom’s neighborhood enrollment. Due to increased enrollment at Yates School, second and third grade students were transported to Kellom. Kindergarten and first grade students at Kellom were neighborhood residents or students from surrounding school attendance areas.

During the 1999-2000 school year, a court ordered mandate disallowed busing for the purpose of desegregation. The school district, in compliance with the courts, initiated neighborhood attendance areas according to various zones. At this time, the students that attended Yates would be in the Kellom attendance area. Kellom would once again service students from kindergarten through 6th grade. Kellom would also become an academy with special emphasis on small class size, additional support for students, and Spalding training for teachers to promote phonics, reading, and writing.

Kellom acquired the Omaha Housing Authorities’ offices attached to the east end of the original building during the spring of 2000. This space was renovated for additional classrooms and offices during the summer of 2000. Additional renovation included some window replacements in the main classrooms, new carpeting in several classrooms, central air-conditioning, and new blinds for additional enhancement of the building atmosphere.

Currently, Kellom houses PreKindergarten through sixth grades. Special education programs include two Early Childhood Special Education classrooms, speech-language services, and primary and intermediate resource programs. A challenge program is also offered at Kellom. Specialists at Kellom provide instruction for library, vocal music, instrumental music, physical education, art, and technology.

Kellom Academy reflects a number of minorities, creating maximal opportunities for integrative school experiences. Kellom’s current population is 380-400 students. Of this population, 75% are African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic and 25% are Sudanese, Asian, Native American and Somalian. Eighty-eight percent of the current population receive free or reduced lunches, qualifying Kellom as a Schoolwide Title I school. Our mobility rate is 67.5%. This offers unique learning challenges for the staff and students.