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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-2.53 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+21.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,473
Chronic Absenteeism3%

Buffalo Hills Elementary — Students at Buffalo Hills Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 81.9%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 76.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 22 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2012
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2013
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2014
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2015
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
62%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.1/10
64th percentile in NE
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
3.0%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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%
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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