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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,784

Friend High Schools — Students at Friend High Schools score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.8/10
83th percentile in NE
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (260/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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