Elementary School at Brainard

Elementary School at Brainard is a regular public school serving 118 students across pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Brainard, Nebraska. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.8 to 1, classes stay small enough that teachers know every student well — a structural advantage that shows up in the outcomes. The school scores 9.2 out of 10 overall, earning an Exceptional rating.

Academic achievement sits at 8.5, while student growth scores a 9.5 — meaning students here consistently advance faster than expected based on where they start. That growth score carries weight: it captures how fast students progress, not just their baseline performance. Ranked 13th among 530 Nebraska elementary schools, Elementary School at Brainard belongs at the top of any serious school search in the state.

The full-state picture makes the case even stronger. Out of 966 Nebraska public schools spanning all grade levels, this school ranks 14th — outperforming 99% of the state's public schools. Few elementary schools anywhere in Nebraska combine this level of academic performance with this rate of student progress.

For parents comparing options, the data is unusually clear.

With an enrollment of 118 students, Elementary School at Brainard is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Elementary School at Brainard 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.