Very Good
#645 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 29% in state
Nell Holcomb Elem.
Elementary School · NELL HOLCOMB R-IV
6547 STATE HWY 177, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cape Girardeau
#4 of 9
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#366 of 1,202
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Nell Holcomb Elem.
Nell Holcomb Elementary is a public elementary school located in the rural setting of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of 241 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Nell Holcomb Elementary offers a supportive educational environment.
The academic performance at Nell Holcomb Elementary reflects room for growth, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #972 out of 2234 schools in Missouri (placing it around the 56th percentile). Students perform slightly better in ELA/Reading, where 45% are proficient or above compared to just 32% proficiency in Math. Despite these challenges, Nell Holcomb Elementary is committed to fostering a nurturing and supportive atmosphere for its students.
The school's rural location near the town provides a close-knit community feel, enhancing the overall educational experience for both students and families.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, Nell Holcomb Elem. offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Nell Holcomb Elem. may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Nell Holcomb Elem. — Students at Nell Holcomb Elem. score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.
How Nell Holcomb Elem. Compares
See how Nell Holcomb Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
6547 STATE HWY 177, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nell Holcomb Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MARY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 6.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is FRANKLIN ELEM. (rated 7.8/10, 6.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LYNWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cape Girardeau, see our Cape Girardeau schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BLANCHARD ELEM. Cape Girardeau | 4.8 mi | 6.7 |
| GIRARDOT CENTER FOR YOUTH Cape Girardeau | 5.8 mi | — |
| LYNWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cape Girardeau | 5.5 mi | 7.5 |
| ALMA SCHRADER ELEM. Cape Girardeau | 6.0 mi | 5.5 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cape Girardeau | 6.3 mi | 5.9 |
| ST MARY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Cape Girardeau | 6.7 mi | 7.9 |
| CENTRAL MIDDLE Cape Girardeau | 6.6 mi | 5.6 |
| CENTRAL JR. HIGH Cape Girardeau | 6.7 mi | 7.7 |
| JEFFERSON ELEM. Cape Girardeau | 7.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Shawnee Elementary School Wolf Lake | 7.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Shawnee High School Wolf Lake | 7.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Shawnee Jr High School Wolf Lake | 7.5 mi | 6.4 |
| FRANKLIN ELEM. Cape Girardeau | 6.8 mi | 7.8 |
| CLIPPARD ELEM. Cape Girardeau | 6.8 mi | 7.4 |
| PARKVIEW SCHOOL Cape Girardeau | 7.4 mi | — |
| LYNWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cape Girardeau | 6.8 mi | 7.3 |
| CENTRAL HIGH Cape Girardeau | 9.1 mi | 6.9 |
| EAGLE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cape Girardeau | 8.7 mi | 6.6 |
| NOTRE DAME REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Cape Girardeau | 9.3 mi | 6.6 |
| SAXONY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Jackson | 9.1 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 63701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,904
Median Home Value
$209,600
Median Rent
$863/mo
Population
38,809
College Educated
39.5%
Homeownership
60.2%
Avg Commute
16.8 min
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Median Age
34.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nell Holcomb Elem. has a median household income of $67,904. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $209,600, with a median rent of $863/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDER DONIPHAN ELEM. Liberty, MO | 7.1 |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL St. Louis, MO | 7.1 |
| COVERDELL ELEM. St. Charles, MO | 7.1 |
| HAMILTON ELEM. Hamilton, MO | 7.1 |
| Monett Early Childhood Center Monett, MO | 7.1 |
| OSAGE BEACH ELEMENTARY Osage Beach, MO | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nell Holcomb Elem.
What grades does Nell Holcomb Elem. serve?
Nell Holcomb Elem. serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Nell Holcomb Elem.?
Nell Holcomb Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 241 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nell Holcomb Elem.?
The student-teacher ratio at Nell Holcomb Elem. is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nell Holcomb Elem. rank in MO?
Nell Holcomb Elem. is ranked #645 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Nell Holcomb Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Nell Holcomb Elem. has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Nell Holcomb Elem.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nell Holcomb Elem. has 32.0% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nell Holcomb Elem. a charter school?
No, Nell Holcomb Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nell Holcomb Elem. a Title I school?
No, Nell Holcomb Elem. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nell Holcomb Elem.?
39.8% of students at Nell Holcomb Elem. qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,094/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cape Girardeau). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 241
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Cape Girardeau County
- Phone
- (573) 334-3644
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NELL HOLCOMB R-IV- District Enrollment
- 241
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,008
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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