Below Average

#793 of 966 schools in NE

Harvard Elementary School

Elementary School · HARVARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

506 E NORTH ST PO BOX 100, Harvard, NE 68944

Last updated: May 2026

Enrollment

103

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

103

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated
2022-23

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harvard

#3 of 3

public schools

Nebraska elementary schools

#415 of 530

In district

#3 of 3

HARVARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Harvard Elementary School

Harvard Elementary School is a small public elementary school located in the rural community of Harvard, Nebraska. With an enrollment of just 103 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Harvard Elementary provides a close-knit learning environment where teachers can give individual attention to each child. The school covers grades from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, offering early education alongside traditional elementary schooling.

According to the MySchoolScout rating system, Harvard Elementary has an overall score of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks at #742 out of 974 schools in Nebraska, placing it in the 24th percentile. In terms of academic performance, the school’s ELA/Reading proficiency stands at 36% above average for their grade levels, while Math proficiency is at 24%. With room for improvement, Harvard Elementary focuses on nurturing its students’ growth and development.

Harvard Elementary School is situated in a quiet rural setting, surrounded by open fields and small-town charm. The school's close-knit community offers a supportive environment where teachers and families work together to ensure that every student receives the care and attention they need.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 103 students, Harvard 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Harvard Elementary School 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, Harvard 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress4.3Below Average50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data3

Annual Change-3.8 pts/yr

Data Period2019–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics2.4Needs Improvement30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency17%

Reading/ELA Proficiency27%

Overall Proficiency22%

Expected (poverty-adj.)46%

vs. Expected-24.1 pts

Adjusted Percentile7th

College Readiness—Not Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio9.4:1

Per-Pupil Spending$22,654

Harvard Elementary School — Students at Harvard Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.5%

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

↓ Declining

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

2019

Math

32%

ELA

37%

2021*

Math

24.5%

ELA

44.5%

2022

Math

17%

ELA

27%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Harvard Elementary School Compares

See how Harvard Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

4.8/10

18th percentile in NE

Academic

2.4/10

Growth

4.3/10

Below average

Environment

9.6/10

Above average

Performance Trends

Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2022).

Location

506 E NORTH ST PO BOX 100, Harvard, NE 68944

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harvard Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Sutton), which scores notably higher. Another option is AURORA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Aurora), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GILTNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Giltner), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Harvard, see our Harvard schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.0 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
HARVARD HIGH SCHOOL Harvard	0.0 mi	60	7.6
HARVARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Harvard	0.0 mi	45	5.5
GILTNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Giltner	10.8 mi	147	5.6
GILTNER HIGH SCHOOL Giltner	10.8 mi	97	5.7
SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Fairfield	13.2 mi	117	5.1
SANDY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairfield	13.2 mi	275	5.2
SANDY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Fairfield	13.2 mi	97	6.3
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sutton	12.1 mi	217	7.7
SUTTON SECONDARY SCHOOL Sutton	12.1 mi	179	8.0
AURORA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aurora	17.1 mi	516	7.6
AURORA PRESCHOOL Aurora	17.3 mi	74	5.1
AURORA MIDDLE SCHOOL Aurora	17.3 mi	265	7.5
AURORA HIGH SCHOOL Aurora	17.4 mi	372	6.7
ALCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings	15.2 mi	270	3.8
ST CECILIA MIDDLE SCH/HIGH SCHOOL Hastings	15.7 mi	222	7.9
LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings	15.8 mi	294	4.2
HASTINGS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Hastings	16.0 mi	1,025	4.8
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings	16.4 mi	304	4.1
MORTON EARLY LEARNING CENTER Hastings	16.5 mi	413	—
DONIPHAN-TRUMBULL SECONDARY Doniphan	18.0 mi	201	6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68944 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,833

Median Home Value

$123,900

Median Rent

$737/mo

Population

1,230

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

78.7%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harvard Elementary School has a median household income of $70,833. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,900, with a median rent of $737/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
HAY SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hay Springs, NE	90	4.7
DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL Schuyler, NE	82	4.9
GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Omaha, NE	77	4.9
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY - CEDAR RAPIDS Cedar Rapids, NE	79	4.9
ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Battle Creek, NE	129	4.9
CHADRON INTERMEDIATE Chadron, NE	121	5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harvard Elementary School

What grades does Harvard Elementary School serve?

Harvard Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Harvard Elementary School?

Harvard Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 103 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harvard Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Harvard Elementary School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harvard Elementary School rank in NE?

Harvard Elementary School is ranked #793 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Harvard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harvard Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Harvard Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harvard Elementary School has 24.5% math proficiency and 36.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harvard Elementary School a charter school?

No, Harvard Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Harvard Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Harvard Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

Explore More Schools

All schools in Harvard, NE Schools in NE HARVARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS District 20 nearby schools

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades: Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment: 103
Student-Teacher Ratio: 9.4:1
Teachers (FTE): 11
Type: regular
Setting: Distant Rural
County: Clay County
Phone: (402) 772-2171
Data Year: 2023–2024

Resources & Links

Search for School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

District

HARVARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

District Enrollment: 208
Schools in District: 3
Per-Pupil Spending: $23,570
District Rank: #3 of 3

Other Schools in This District

HARVARD HIGH SCHOOL 7.6 HARVARD MIDDLE SCHOOL 5.5

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

Data sources

NCES CCDSY 2022-23 NE EDFACTS2021-22 NCES EdFacts2019–2022 Census ACS2019-2023 AI description MySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

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