Average
#510 of 966 schools in NE
Friend Elementary School
Elementary School · FRIEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
501 MAIN ST PO BOX 67, Friend, NE 68359
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Friend
#2 of 2
public schools
Nebraska elementary schools
#286 of 530
In district
#2 of 2
FRIEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Friend Elementary School
FRIEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a small, rural public school nestled in the heart of Friend, Nebraska. With an enrollment of just 144 students spanning from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school offers a close-knit environment where teachers can give individual attention to each child. The student-teacher ratio stands at 12:1, ensuring that every learner receives personalized support and guidance.
Academically, FRIEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has some strengths and areas for improvement. In mathematics, 75% of students are proficient or above, while in English Language Arts (ELA) reading skills, the proficiency rate is 52%. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 reflects that there is room for academic growth and development.
Despite its rural setting, FRIEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL fosters a supportive community where students benefit from small class sizes and dedicated teachers. The school's location in a remote area means it offers a unique perspective on learning within the tight-knit Friend neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 144 students, Friend Elementary 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, Friend Elementary 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
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Friend Elementary School — Students at Friend Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.8%
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: 4.4/10.
How Friend Elementary School Compares
See how Friend Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
501 MAIN ST PO BOX 67, Friend, NE 68359
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Friend Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EXETER-MILLIGAN ELEM-EXETER (rated 9.0/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Exeter), which scores notably higher. Another option is CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Utica), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Dorchester), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Friend, see our Friend schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FRIEND HIGH SCHOOLS Friend | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| EXETER-MILLIGAN HIGH SCHOOL Exeter | 8.3 mi | 5.2 |
| EXETER-MILLIGAN ELEM-EXETER Exeter | 8.3 mi | 9.0 |
| EXETER-MILLIGAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Exeter | 8.3 mi | — |
| DORCHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dorchester | 8.8 mi | 8.2 |
| DORCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL Dorchester | 8.8 mi | 6.6 |
| CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica | 16.8 mi | 8.6 |
| CENTENNIAL JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Utica | 16.8 mi | 7.6 |
| CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Utica | 16.8 mi | 6.4 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Utica | 16.9 mi | 5.4 |
| MILFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Milford | 14.6 mi | 4.8 |
| MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL Milford | 14.6 mi | 6.9 |
| FILLMORE CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Fairmont | 15.3 mi | 6.9 |
| NEBRASKA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Waco | 19.3 mi | 7.0 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waco | 19.3 mi | — |
| MC COOL JUNCTION ELEM SCHOOL Mccool Junction | 17.4 mi | 8.0 |
| MCCOOL JUNCTION JR-SR HIGH SCH Mccool Junction | 17.4 mi | 6.8 |
| FILLMORE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Geneva | 17.9 mi | 4.8 |
| FILLMORE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Geneva | 18.0 mi | 5.9 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Seward | 20.9 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 68359 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,250
Median Home Value
$179,900
Median Rent
$812/mo
Population
1,512
College Educated
27.1%
Homeownership
80.3%
Avg Commute
35 min
Poverty Rate
6%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Friend Elementary School has a median household income of $81,250. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,900, with a median rent of $812/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANSELMO-MERNA ELEMENTARY-MERNA Merna, NE | 6.2 |
| CAMBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cambridge, NE | 6.2 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL South Sioux City, NE | 6.2 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fremont, NE | 6.2 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Grand Island, NE | 6.2 |
| WALLACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wallace, NE | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Friend Elementary School
What grades does Friend Elementary School serve?
Friend Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Friend Elementary School?
Friend Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 144 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Friend Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Friend Elementary School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Friend Elementary School rank in NE?
Friend Elementary School is ranked #510 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Friend Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Friend Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Friend Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Friend Elementary School has 75.3% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Friend Elementary School a charter school?
No, Friend Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Friend Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Friend Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Friend Elementary School?
27.8% of students at Friend 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
- County Safety
- Average (260/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 144
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Saline County
- Phone
- (402) 947-2781
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FRIEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 242
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,673
- 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.
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