Very Good
#161 of 966 schools in NE
Top 17% in state
Friend High Schools
High School · FRIEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
501 MAIN ST PO BOX 67, Friend, NE 68359
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Friend
#1 of 2
public schools
Nebraska high schools
#38 of 263
In district
#1 of 2
FRIEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Friend High Schools
FRIEND HIGH SCHOOLS is a public high school located in the rural community of Friend, Nebraska. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 98 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, ensuring individual attention for each student. FRIEND High Schools places a strong emphasis on personalized education, with its dedicated team of eleven full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, the school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.2 out of 10 and it ranks at #329 among 974 schools in Nebraska, placing it around the 66th percentile overall. In reading and ELA, 44% of students are proficient or above, while in math, this number rises to 51%. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development.
FRIEND High Schools is situated in a remote rural area, offering its students a close-knit community feel. The setting provides a quiet and nurturing environment for learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 98 students, Friend High Schools 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Friend High Schools offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Friend High Schools 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 High Schools — Students at Friend High Schools score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.5%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Friend High Schools Compares
See how Friend High Schools performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
501 MAIN ST PO BOX 67, Friend, NE 68359
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Friend High Schools may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CENTENNIAL JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Utica), with a very similar rating. Another option is NEBRASKA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Waco), with a comparable rating. Additionally, MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Milford), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Friend, see our Friend schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FRIEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Friend | 0.0 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 High Schools 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTRAL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Greeley, NE | 7.8 |
| DUNDY CO STRATTON HIGH SCHOOL Benkelman, NE | 7.8 |
| HAY SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Hay Springs, NE | 7.8 |
| RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, NE | 7.8 |
| CALLAWAY HIGH SCHOOL Callaway, NE | 7.7 |
| LUTHERAN HIGH NORTHEAST Norfolk, NE | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Friend High Schools
What grades does Friend High Schools serve?
Friend High Schools serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Friend High Schools?
Friend High Schools has an enrollment of approximately 98 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Friend High Schools?
The student-teacher ratio at Friend High Schools is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Friend High Schools rank in NE?
Friend High Schools is ranked #161 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Friend High Schools's MySchoolScout rating?
Friend High Schools has a composite rating of 7.8 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 High Schools?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Friend High Schools has 51.2% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Friend High Schools a charter school?
No, Friend High Schools is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Friend High Schools a Title I school?
No, Friend High Schools is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Friend High Schools?
25.5% of students at Friend High Schools 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 98
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.5%
- 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
- #1 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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