Skip to main content

Average

#551 of 966 schools in NE

Elm Creek High School

High School · ELM CREEK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

230 EAST CALKINS AVENUE PO BOX 490, Elm Creek, NE 68836

Enrollment

155

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

6.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Elm Creek

#2 of 2

public schools

Nebraska high schools

#175 of 263

In district

#2 of 2

ELM CREEK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Elm Creek High School

ELM CREEK HIGH SCHOOL is a rural high school located in the small town of Elm Creek, Nebraska. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, it has an enrollment of 155 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.1:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's remote location offers a close-knit community feel, fostering personal connections between students and staff.

Academically, ELM CREEK HIGH SCHOOL has room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and state ranking at #531 out of 974 schools in Nebraska. The school’s performance data shows that 36% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while a higher percentage—48%—are proficient or above in Math. Despite the challenges reflected in these scores, ELM CREEK HIGH SCHOOL remains committed to supporting its students’ educational development within a supportive rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 155 students, Elm Creek High School 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, Elm Creek High School 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness3.0Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,000

Elm Creek High School — Students at Elm Creek High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
37%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Elm Creek High School Compares

See how Elm Creek High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in NE
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

230 EAST CALKINS AVENUE PO BOX 490, Elm Creek, NE 68836

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Elm Creek High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Kearney), which scores notably higher. Another option is OVERTON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Overton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Amherst), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Elm Creek, see our Elm Creek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.7 mi
School Distance Rating
ELM CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elm Creek 0.0 mi 8.5
AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst 9.8 mi 7.2
AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL Amherst 9.8 mi 6.5
OVERTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Overton 8.8 mi 7.7
OVERTON HIGH SCHOOL Overton 8.8 mi 6.8
WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney 13.0 mi 7.3
KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney 13.3 mi 4.8
WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 13.7 mi 7.8
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT SUMNER Sumner 17.4 mi 6.6
JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH AT SUMNER Sumner 17.4 mi 5.8
HOLDREGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS EARLY CHILDHOOD ED CTR Holdrege 18.6 mi 5.1
HOLDREGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Holdrege 18.6 mi 3.7
HOLDREGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Holdrege 18.7 mi 7.3
KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 14.3 mi 7.4
HOLDREGE HIGH SCHOOL Holdrege 18.8 mi 5.4
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Holdrege 18.8 mi 4.4
BUFFALO HILLS ELEMENTARY Kearney 14.3 mi 6.7
HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney 14.5 mi 7.3
GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 14.8 mi 5.2
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 14.7 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68836 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,531

Median Home Value

$215,500

Median Rent

$838/mo

Population

1,829

College Educated

28.8%

Homeownership

73.7%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

32

Community Profile

The community surrounding Elm Creek High School has a median household income of $79,531. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $215,500, with a median rent of $838/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
LOOMIS SECONDARY SCHOOL Loomis, NE 6.0
SOUTHERN VALLEY JR/SR HIGH Oxford, NE 6.0
WILCOX-HILDRETH JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Wilcox, NE 6.0
CROSS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Stromsburg, NE 6.1
FILLMORE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Geneva, NE 5.9
GORDON-RUSHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Gordon, NE 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Elm Creek High School

What grades does Elm Creek High School serve?

Elm Creek High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Elm Creek High School?

Elm Creek High School has an enrollment of approximately 155 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Elm Creek High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Elm Creek High School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Elm Creek High School rank in NE?

Elm Creek High School is ranked #551 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Elm Creek High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Elm Creek High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Elm Creek High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Elm Creek High School has 47.8% math proficiency and 36.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Elm Creek High School a charter school?

No, Elm Creek High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Elm Creek High School a Title I school?

No, Elm Creek High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Elm Creek High School?

26.5% of students at Elm Creek High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (173/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Buffalo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ELM CREEK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
357
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,928
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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

Get 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.