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Very Good

#169 of 966 schools in NE

Top 17% in state

Hay Springs High School

High School · HAY SPRINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

407 N BAKER ST PO BOX 280, Hay Springs, NE 69347

Enrollment

59

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hay Springs

#2 of 3

public schools

Nebraska high schools

#42 of 263

In district

#2 of 3

HAY SPRINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Hay Springs High School

Hay Springs High School serves 59 students in grades 9-12 in this small Sheridan County community, delivering exceptional academic results with a remarkably intimate learning environment. With just 6 full-time teachers, the school maintains an impressive 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school's academic performance is truly outstanding, earning an 8.7 out of 10 rating and ranking 4th among Nebraska's 974 high schools.

This places Hay Springs High School in the 100th percentile statewide—a remarkable achievement for any school, particularly one in a rural setting. Students demonstrate strong proficiency across core subjects, with 75% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. This academic excellence unfolds within a stable community where the median household income reaches $72,188 and homeownership is affordable with median home values around $114,100.

The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.3%, while 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education. Hay Springs High School exemplifies how small rural schools can achieve exceptional outcomes through dedicated teaching and close-knit community support, serving students in Nebraska's remote rural landscape where personalized education truly makes a difference.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 59 students, Hay Springs 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Hay Springs High 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, Hay Springs 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 Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+26.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,245

Hay Springs High School — Students at Hay Springs High School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.3%
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
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
75%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Hay Springs High School Compares

See how Hay Springs High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
83th percentile in NE
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

407 N BAKER ST PO BOX 280, Hay Springs, NE 69347

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hay Springs High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CHADRON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Chadron), with a comparable rating. Another option is GORDON-RUSHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 26.0 miles away, in nearby Gordon), a more accessible option. Additionally, HEMINGFORD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 32.2 miles away, in nearby Hemingford), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hay Springs, see our Hay Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

19 within 32.2 mi
School Distance Rating
HAY SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hay Springs 0.0 mi 4.7
HAY SPRINGS EARLY CHILDHOOD Hay Springs 0.0 mi
HAY SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Hay Springs 0.0 mi 8.2
GORDON-RUSHVILLE ELE-RUSHVILLE Rushville 11.7 mi 8.6
GORDON-RUSHVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rushville 11.7 mi 6.1
PINE RIDGE JOB CORPS Chadron 15.0 mi
CHADRON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Chadron 18.1 mi 7.2
CHADRON PRIMARY Chadron 18.2 mi 5.6
CHADRON MIDDLE SCHOOL Chadron 18.2 mi 6.4
CHADRON INTERMEDIATE Chadron 19.2 mi 5.0
Pine Ridge School Pine Ridge 23.9 mi
PRAIRIE VIEW ADVENTIST SCHOOL Chadron 19.7 mi
RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL Pine Ridge 27.6 mi 7.9
Lakota Tech High School - 10 Batesland 27.3 mi 5.2
Wolf Creek School - 02 Pine Ridge 27.4 mi 5.6
GORDON-RUSHVILLE ELEM-GORDON Gordon 25.6 mi 8.4
GORDON-RUSHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Gordon 26.0 mi 6.1
HEMINGFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hemingford 32.1 mi 8.9
HEMINGFORD HIGH SCHOOL Hemingford 32.2 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 69347 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,382

Median Home Value

$118,400

Median Rent

$770/mo

Population

1,410

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

81.1%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

44.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hay Springs High School has a median household income of $78,382. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,400, with a median rent of $770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, NE 7.8
HYANNIS HIGH SCHOOL Hyannis, NE 7.7
ELWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Elwood, NE 7.6
HARVARD HIGH SCHOOL Harvard, NE 7.6
HAYES CENTER SECONDARY SCHOOL Hayes Center, NE 7.6
NIOBRARA SECONDARY SCHOOL Niobrara, NE 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hay Springs High School

What grades does Hay Springs High School serve?

Hay Springs High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hay Springs High School?

Hay Springs High School has an enrollment of approximately 59 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hay Springs High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hay Springs High School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hay Springs High School rank in NE?

Hay Springs High School is ranked #169 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Hay Springs High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hay Springs High School 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 Hay Springs High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hay Springs High School has 58.3% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hay Springs High School a charter school?

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

Is Hay Springs High School a Title I school?

No, Hay Springs High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hay Springs High School?

50.8% of students at Hay Springs 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

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Sheridan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HAY SPRINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
206
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,020
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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