Cottonwood Elementary Opens for Students Needing a More Structured Learning Environment

Cottonwood Elementary Opens to Provide Individualized Support for Students Needing a More Structured Learning Environment
This fall, Kearney Public Schools will open the doors to Cottonwood Elementary, a first-of-its-kind elementary program in the district designed to provide intensive academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support for students who benefit from a more structured learning environment.  Cottonwood is located in the old Glenwood Elementary at 8105 9th Avenue.  An Open House for the public is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 5:30-6:30.
Unlike a traditional elementary school, Cottonwood Elementary offers smaller class sizes, lower student-to-staff ratios, and highly individualized instruction while maintaining the same rigorous academic expectations as other Kearney Public Schools.
Students attending Cottonwood receive instruction using the same curriculum as their peers across the district, participate in grade-level classrooms, and enjoy the same enriching experiences—including art, music, physical education, and media. What sets Cottonwood apart is the additional support students receive to help them build confidence, strengthen foundational academic skills, develop positive behaviors, and achieve long-term success.
"Our goal is simple," said Kearney Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jason Mundorf. "Every child deserves the opportunity to be successful in school. And every child means both students who are struggling in the traditional classroom setting as well as their classmates whose attention is being diverted from their teacher to their struggling classmate. Cottonwood Elementary provides targeted support in a structured environment that helps students develop the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional skills they need to thrive. Ultimately, we want every student to return to their home school with the confidence and tools to be successful alongside their peers."
Cottonwood is built around the belief that students learn best when instruction is personalized to meet their individual needs. Small class sizes allow teachers to identify learning gaps, provide targeted interventions, and build strong relationships with each student.
Highly trained teachers and support staff work together to create predictable daily routines, consistent expectations, and individualized strategies that promote student growth. The school emphasizes keeping students engaged in their classrooms, reducing the need for separate instructional spaces while helping them develop the skills necessary to remain successful in a traditional classroom setting.
Students also receive intentional social-emotional instruction through explicit lessons, real-time coaching, and daily opportunities to practice self-regulation and positive decision-making.
To further support student success, Cottonwood is staffed by two licensed mental health practitioners who help students develop healthy coping strategies and long-term emotional wellness skills. Two behavior specialists provide additional coaching and de-escalation support, helping students navigate challenges while remaining engaged in learning.
"Cottonwood isn't about lowering expectations," said Principal Kyle Heilbrun. "It's about increasing support. Every student who walks through our doors has incredible potential. Our responsibility is to meet them where they are, build on their strengths, and provide the individualized instruction and encouragement they need to grow academically, socially, and emotionally."
The school's highly structured environment creates consistency and predictability, allowing students to focus on learning while building confidence and independence. Through personalized instruction, meaningful relationships, and intentional support, Cottonwood helps students develop the skills necessary for long-term success.
The ultimate goal of the program is to prepare students to successfully transition back to their neighborhood elementary schools equipped with stronger academic foundations, improved social-emotional skills, positive school behaviors, and renewed confidence.
At Cottonwood Elementary, every child is known, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential. By providing the right support at the right time, Kearney Public Schools is ensuring students have every opportunity to succeed—not only during their time at Cottonwood, but throughout their educational journey.