Very Good
#348 of 967 schools in NE
Top 36% in state
Buffalo Hills Elementary
Elementary School · KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
6110 11TH AVENUE, Kearney, NE 68845
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kearney
#7 of 15
public schools
Nebraska elementary schools
#214 of 530
In district
#7 of 14
KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Buffalo Hills Elementary
Buffalo Hills Elementary serves 298 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Kearney, Nebraska. This regular public school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 177th out of 974 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile.
Students show particularly impressive achievement in mathematics, with 77% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Reading and English language arts performance is also solid, with 62% of students meeting proficiency standards. Buffalo Hills Elementary is located in a stable, middle-class neighborhood where families value education.
The surrounding community has a median household income of $73,450 and a median home value of $258,000, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 12.1%, contributing to a supportive environment for student learning. The school serves the town of Kearney, providing families with a quality elementary education option in a community-oriented setting that emphasizes academic achievement and student development.
Score Breakdown
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Buffalo Hills Elementary — Students at Buffalo Hills Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 22 test records from NE state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How Buffalo Hills Elementary Compares
See how Buffalo Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2012) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2012) to 62% (2022).
Location
6110 11TH AVENUE, Kearney, NE 68845
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buffalo Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kearney, see our Kearney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF KEARNEY Kearney | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.5 mi | 8.0 |
| SUNRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kearney | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| KEARNEY EDUCATION CENTER Kearney | 3.1 mi | 3.6 |
| BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 3.2 mi | 5.5 |
| KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 3.5 mi | 7.6 |
| KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst | 11.3 mi | 7.9 |
| AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL Amherst | 11.3 mi | 7.0 |
| PLEASANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pleasanton | 16.3 mi | 4.4 |
| PLEASANTON HIGH SCHOOL Pleasanton | 16.3 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 68845 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,350
Median Home Value
$274,200
Median Rent
$896/mo
Population
21,012
College Educated
40.9%
Homeownership
57.6%
Avg Commute
15.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
33.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buffalo Hills Elementary has a median household income of $75,350. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,200, with a median rent of $896/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| OAK VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE | 7.1 |
| WAVERLY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Waverly, NE | 7.1 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bellevue, NE | 7.0 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Omaha, NE | 7.0 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Beatrice, NE | 7.0 |
| MORLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln, NE | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buffalo Hills Elementary
What grades does Buffalo Hills Elementary serve?
Buffalo Hills Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Buffalo Hills Elementary?
Buffalo Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 298 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Hills Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Hills Elementary is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buffalo Hills Elementary rank in NE?
Buffalo Hills Elementary is ranked #348 out of 967 schools in NE.
What is Buffalo Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buffalo Hills Elementary 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 Buffalo Hills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buffalo Hills Elementary has 81.9% math proficiency and 76.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buffalo Hills Elementary a charter school?
No, Buffalo Hills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buffalo Hills Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buffalo Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buffalo Hills Elementary?
25.8% of students at Buffalo Hills Elementary 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 298
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Buffalo County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 3.0%
- Phone
- (308) 698-8290
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 6,064
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,473
- District Rank
- #7 of 14
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.
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