South Central Nebraska Unified 5 School District
School District · Fairfield, Nebraska
Avg Rating
6.0
out of 10
Schools
6
2 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,597
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Avg Rating
6.0
out of 10
Schools
6
2 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,597
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Evaluating South Central Nebraska Unified 5?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge South Central Nebraska Unified 5 as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lawrence/nelson High Sch
Nelson · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Sandy Creek Elementary School
Fairfield · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Lawrence/nelson Elementary Sch
Lawrence · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Nebraska rank
#175 of 242
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Nebraska avg
Per-pupil spending
$18,597
+$1,233 vs Nebraska median
District size
733 students
Larger than Nebraska median
The short answer
South Central Nebraska Unified 5 ranks #175 of 242 Nebraska districts by overall school rating. South Central Nebraska Unified 5's schools with real test data average 6.0/10 across 6 schools. Its top-rated schools are Lawrence/nelson High Sch (7.0/10), Sandy Creek Elementary School (6.8/10), and Lawrence/nelson Elementary Sch (6.8/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in South Central Nebraska Unified 5
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lawrence/nelson High Sch | 7.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Sandy Creek Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Lawrence/nelson Elementary Sch | 6.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Sandy Creek High School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Sandy Creek Middle School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Lawrence - Nelson Middle School | 2.8 / 10 |
See all 6 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About South Central Nebraska Unified 5
South Central Nebraska Unified 5 is a Fairfield, Nebraska school district serving 6 schools. The district educates 733 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1. The district invests $18,597 per student annually.
With an average rating of 6.0/10, South Central Nebraska Unified 5 demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Lawrence/nelson High Sch, which has a composite score of 7.0/10.
In standardized testing, South Central Nebraska Unified 5 students show an average math proficiency of 62.8% and ELA proficiency of 59.5%.
The district includes 2 elementary schools , 2 middle schools , and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in South Central Nebraska Unified 5, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in South Central Nebraska Unified 5 with test data.
Schools in South Central Nebraska Unified 5
6 schools Elementary Schools 2
Middle Schools 2
High Schools 2
District Details
- State
- Nebraska
- City
- Fairfield
- Total Enrollment
- 733
- Teachers (FTE)
- 66
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in South Central Nebraska Unified 5?
South Central Nebraska Unified 5 has 6 schools in total — 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for South Central Nebraska Unified 5?
The average composite rating for South Central Nebraska Unified 5 is 6.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in South Central Nebraska Unified 5?
South Central Nebraska Unified 5 spends $18,597 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in South Central Nebraska Unified 5?
The average student-teacher ratio in South Central Nebraska Unified 5 is 11.1:1.
What is the top-rated school in South Central Nebraska Unified 5?
Lawrence/nelson High Sch is the highest-rated school in South Central Nebraska Unified 5 with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What are the test scores in South Central Nebraska Unified 5?
Across schools in South Central Nebraska Unified 5 with test data, the average math proficiency is 62.8% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 59.5%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does South Central Nebraska Unified 5 compare to other districts in Nebraska?
South Central Nebraska Unified 5 has an average school rating of 6.0/10 across 6 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Nebraska by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 62.8%
- ELA Proficiency
- 59.5%
Resources
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateOther School Districts in NE
Compare South Central Nebraska Unified 5 with neighboring districts in the state.
- Omaha Public Schools (112)
- Lincoln Public Schools (78)
- Millard Public Schools (36)
- Grand Island Public Schools (23)
- Papillion La Vista Community Schools (22)
- Bellevue Public Schools (21)
- Elkhorn Public Schools (20)
- Kearney Public Schools (15)
- Fremont Public Schools (14)
- Westside Community Schools (14)
- North Platte Public Schools (12)
- Norfolk Public Schools (12)
- Gretna Public Schools (11)
- Columbus Public Schools (9)
- Educational Service Unit 03 (9)
- Bennington Public Schools (8)
- Hastings Public Schools (8)
- Lexington Public Schools (8)
- Ralston Public Schools (8)
- Schuyler Community Schools (8)
- Scottsbluff Public Schools (8)
- So Sioux City Community Schs (8)
- Educational Service Unit 13 (8)
- Crete Public Schools (6)
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Nebraska Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.
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