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
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Hay Springs High School — Students at Hay Springs High School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.8%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Hay Springs High School Compares
See how Hay Springs High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 75% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 75% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (308) 638-4434
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HAY SPRINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 206
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,020
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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