Average
#418 of 966 schools in NE
Top 43% in state
Central Elementary School
Elementary School · KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
300 W 24TH ST, Kearney, NE 68845
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kearney
#9 of 15
public schools
Nebraska elementary schools
#242 of 530
In district
#8 of 14
KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic performance
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a regular public school in Kearney, Nebraska, located at 300 W 24th St. Serving preschool through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 271 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. Central Elementary stands out for its academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.8/10 and ranking at #205 among Nebraska's 974 schools, placing it in the 79th percentile.
The school’s ELA proficiency rate is 54% across grades, while math proficiency stands at 65%, indicating a strong foundation in these subjects with room for growth. Central Elementary School is nestled in a town setting where students receive a well-rounded education that focuses on both academic achievement and personal development.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 6.4/10.
How Central Elementary School Compares
See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
300 W 24TH ST, Kearney, NE 68845
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. AXTELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Axtell), which scores notably higher. Another option is WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kearney, see our Kearney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kearney | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| KEARNEY EDUCATION CENTER Kearney | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF KEARNEY Kearney | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| SUNRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| BUFFALO HILLS ELEMENTARY Kearney | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| AXTELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Axtell | 15.2 mi | 8.9 |
| AXTELL HIGH SCHOOL Axtell | 15.2 mi | 6.4 |
| AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst | 13.4 mi | 7.2 |
| AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL Amherst | 13.4 mi | 6.5 |
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 Central Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| ADAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE | 6.6 |
| GIFFORD PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE | 6.6 |
| HARVEY OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE | 6.6 |
| HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings, NE | 6.6 |
| LEONARD LAWRENCE ELEM SCHOOL Bellevue, NE | 6.6 |
| SOUTHERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blue Springs, NE | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary School
What grades does Central Elementary School serve?
Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary School rank in NE?
Central Elementary School is ranked #418 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 65.3% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?
73.8% of students at Central Elementary School 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 (1,938/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kearney). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 271
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Buffalo County
- Phone
- (308) 698-8040
- 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
- #8 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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.