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Below Average

#817 of 966 schools in NE

High Plains Community Elementary School

Elementary School · HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

205 W PEARL ST PO BOX 205, Clarks, NE 68628

Enrollment

113

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Nebraska elementary schools

#430 of 530

In district

#1 of 2

HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About High Plains Community Elementary School

High Plains Community Elementary School in Clarks, Nebraska, is a small rural elementary school serving students from pre-K through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 113 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1, the school offers personalized attention to its young learners. Located in a remote area, High Plains Community Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that emphasizes community engagement.

The academic performance at High Plains Community Elementary School is currently rated at 4.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it around the 41st percentile among Nebraska schools. Students achieve proficiency rates of 59% in ELA and reading and 49% in math, indicating areas where there's room for improvement but also a strong foundation for growth. High Plains Community Elementary School is deeply embedded in its rural setting, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere that nurtures personal development alongside academic skills.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 113 students, High Plains Community 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.

Located in a rural area, High Plains Community 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 Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-9.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,818

High Plains Community Elementary School — Students at High Plains Community Elementary School score 50% 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

34.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.8%
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
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How High Plains Community Elementary School Compares

See how High Plains Community Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
16th percentile in NE
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

205 W PEARL ST PO BOX 205, Clarks, NE 68628

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering High Plains Community Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CROSS COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Stromsburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is OSCEOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Osceola), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CENTRAL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Central City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clarks, see our Clarks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.4 mi
School Distance Rating
HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Polk 10.5 mi 4.3
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Polk 10.9 mi
CENTRAL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Central City 10.9 mi 7.7
FULLERTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fullerton 12.1 mi 6.5
FULLERTON HIGH SCHOOL Fullerton 12.1 mi 7.3
CENTRAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL Central City 11.4 mi 6.9
CENTRAL CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Central City 11.5 mi 7.8
NEBRASKA CHRISTAIN SCHOOLS Central City 11.6 mi 6.8
TWIN RIVER SR HIGH SCHOOL Genoa 16.9 mi 6.9
TWIN RIVER ELEM-GENOA Genoa 16.9 mi 4.5
CROSS COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Stromsburg 15.7 mi 7.7
CROSS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Stromsburg 15.7 mi 6.1
CROSS COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Stromsburg 15.7 mi 8.3
OSCEOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Osceola 15.7 mi 8.0
OSCEOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL Osceola 15.8 mi 8.4
OSCEOLA HIGH SCHOOL Osceola 15.8 mi 8.9
HAMPTON LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hampton 23.2 mi
HAMPTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hampton 23.4 mi 6.5
HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL Hampton 23.4 mi 5.9
ST EDWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Edward 24.4 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68628 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,125

Median Home Value

$155,200

Median Rent

$871/mo

Population

844

College Educated

12.1%

Homeownership

88.6%

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding High Plains Community Elementary School has a median household income of $55,125. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,200, with a median rent of $871/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ELWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elwood, NE 4.5
GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fremont, NE 4.7
HAY SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hay Springs, NE 4.7
MAYWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Maywood, NE 4.4
SO PLATTE ELEM AT BIG SPRINGS Big Springs, NE 4.4
HARVARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harvard, NE 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about High Plains Community Elementary School

What grades does High Plains Community Elementary School serve?

High Plains Community Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend High Plains Community Elementary School?

High Plains Community Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 113 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at High Plains Community Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at High Plains Community Elementary School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does High Plains Community Elementary School rank in NE?

High Plains Community Elementary School is ranked #817 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is High Plains Community Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

High Plains Community Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 High Plains Community Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, High Plains Community Elementary School has 48.8% math proficiency and 58.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is High Plains Community Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is High Plains Community Elementary School a Title I school?

No, High Plains Community Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for High Plains Community Elementary School?

34.5% of students at High Plains Community Elementary 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

County Safety
Low (130/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Merrick County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
212
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,300
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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