At the heart of Bellevue Public Schools’ commitment to hands-on, career-focused learning, the Frank Kumor Career Center offers students the opportunity to gain real-world experience across the industries of automotive maintenance, health care, education, and aviation. The cutting-edge facility gives high school juniors and seniors the tools and certifications to step directly into careers or further education.
The center’s grand opening in October 2024 marked a new chapter for Bellevue Public Schools. “We wanted to give our kids an opportunity to practice real-world application and earn certifications,” said Brad Stueve, Coordinator of College and Career Education. Named after longtime community advocate Frank Kumor, the center’s mission is clear: to prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce by connecting the classroom to industry needs.
“Our superintendent, Dr. Rippe, had a vision of creating an educational space entirely dedicated for students to dive into major industries,” Stueve said. That vision materialized after years of collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Education and local businesses to identify high-demand areas. “Health sciences, and transportation and logistics, were the two largest fields where more workers were needed,” Stueve noted. These insights helped shape the programs at the center, providing students with a direct path to those careers.
Each program is carefully tailored to give students practice in their chosen fields and set them apart in the job market early on. The automotive maintenance program provides students with hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment at local shops. “We have a great connection with our industry partners, like Beardmore and Corwin Toyota,” Stueve noted. With a curriculum aligned with Metro Community College’s automotive program, students learn practical skills that will serve them in dealerships or independent shops.
In the Certified Nursing Assistant program, students gain the skills necessary to earn their CNA certification, an essential step toward careers in health care. “They don’t just learn theory; they get out into the community and work with nurses and patients,” Stueve added. “That real-world experience sets them apart.” Students also complete extensive clinical hours at local health care facilities, such as Hillcrest Health and Living, where they work alongside professionals.
The Education Academy offers a unique path for students interested in teaching. Students not only earn dual enrollment credits, but also complete almost 150 hours of classroom experience with mentor teachers. Education students spend much of their time in district classrooms working with younger students, writing lesson plans, and getting a taste of what it’s like to be an educator. When a student completes the academy and earns their teaching degree, they are guaranteed a job interview within Bellevue Public Schools.
In the Aviation Academy—the center’s newest offering—students explore everything from the basics of flight to commercial operations. Led by Bob Condrey, the aviation program also introduces students to flight simulators, FAA-certified equipment, and even drone technology. “The basic program is intended to teach them all the academic knowledge they need to get a pilot’s license,” Condrey explained. “We use simulators and drones as activities tied to the lessons, so students can get practical experience while they learn the theory.”
One of the core principles of the Frank Kumor Career Center is its emphasis on hands-on learning, which is especially prominent in the aviation program. “We introduce students to our simulators early on, and we provide them with the technical information of how airplanes actually fly,” Condrey said. “Students learn to log time in our 13 FAA-certified simulators, which is critical experience for anyone looking to pursue aviation.”
One of the first projects in the Aviation Academy is a wind tunnel experiment designed to help students understand the concept of lift—the invisible force that keeps massive airliners in the sky. Students construct a wind tunnel and build small airfoils, or wing sections, with different shapes. By placing them in the tunnel and measuring their lift with a scale, they see how aerodynamics work in real time. “It’s a competition, but it’s also a great way for students to see these theoretical concepts in action,” Condrey explained.
Of the 33 students in the Aviation Academy’s inaugural class, six have already been accepted into university-level aviation programs. Two students have secured entry-level aviation jobs at local airports, while another two are in the process of applying to the Air Force Academy. Another student has a pending job offer for a commercial drone position, set to start once they obtain their commercial license.
“Among our students, there’s an awful lot of enthusiasm,” Condrey said. “I’m pleased with the success rate we’ve seen so far of students actually moving into the field. I wear that as a badge of honor.”
For each year-long program, two class sessions are offered each day—morning and afternoon—providing flexibility for students. After their classes, students return to their high schools to complete their day. Every new application is carefully reviewed, and the selection process ensures that students are placed where they can thrive.
The center’s offerings rely on partnerships with Offutt Air Force Base, the Department of Defense, DoDEA, the Bellevue Public Schools Foundation, Metropolitan Community College, Doane College, and many more. Through these collaborations, students complete their programs having gained valuable professional connections before graduation.
“We’re seeing a record number of applications,” Stueve said. “We’re giving these students a head start, whether they go straight into the workforce or decide to continue their education. It’s about setting them up for success in life.”
For more information, visit bellevuepublicschools.org.
This article originally appeared in the 2025 issue of Family Guide. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
