Below Average
#844 of 966 schools in NE
High Plains Community Jr/sr High School
High School · HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
345 S PINE PO BOX 29, Polk, NE 68654
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Nebraska high schools
#245 of 263
In district
#2 of 2
HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About High Plains Community Jr/sr High School
HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL is a small, rural high school located in Polk, Nebraska. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 99 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, High Plains Community Jr/Sr High School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.9 out of 10, placing it in the 20th percentile among Nebraska schools with a state ranking of #785 out of 974. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 53% for ELA/Reading and 40% for Math. These scores suggest there is room for improvement, but the school remains committed to fostering student development.
High Plains Community Jr/Sr High School stands in a remote rural setting, offering its students unique opportunities to connect with their community while pursuing academic goals.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 99 students, High Plains Community Jr/sr 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 7.6:1, High Plains Community Jr/sr 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, High Plains Community Jr/sr 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 metricsView breakdown
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High Plains Community Jr/sr High School — Students at High Plains Community Jr/sr High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.4%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.6/10.
How High Plains Community Jr/sr High School Compares
See how High Plains Community Jr/sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
345 S PINE PO BOX 29, Polk, NE 68654
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering High Plains Community Jr/sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. OSCEOLA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Osceola), which scores notably higher. Another option is CENTRAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Central City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CROSS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Stromsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Polk, see our Polk schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Polk | 3.1 mi | — |
| HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarks | 10.5 mi | 4.6 |
| CROSS COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Stromsburg | 9.3 mi | 7.7 |
| CROSS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Stromsburg | 9.3 mi | 6.1 |
| CROSS COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Stromsburg | 9.3 mi | 8.3 |
| HAMPTON LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hampton | 14.2 mi | — |
| HAMPTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hampton | 14.3 mi | 6.5 |
| HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL Hampton | 14.3 mi | 5.9 |
| CENTRAL CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Central City | 11.5 mi | 7.8 |
| CENTRAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL Central City | 11.6 mi | 6.9 |
| CENTRAL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Central City | 11.6 mi | 7.7 |
| NEBRASKA CHRISTAIN SCHOOLS Central City | 13.3 mi | 6.8 |
| OSCEOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL Osceola | 14.1 mi | 8.4 |
| OSCEOLA HIGH SCHOOL Osceola | 14.1 mi | 8.9 |
| OSCEOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Osceola | 14.2 mi | 8.0 |
| EMMANUEL-FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL York | 17.1 mi | 5.4 |
| YORK HIGH SCHOOL York | 17.1 mi | 5.1 |
| YORK MIDDLE SCHOOL York | 17.2 mi | 6.5 |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL York | 17.6 mi | 7.4 |
| YORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL York | 17.6 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 68654 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,125
Median Home Value
$95,600
Population
528
College Educated
10.6%
Homeownership
85.3%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
43.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding High Plains Community Jr/sr High School has a median household income of $63,125. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $95,600. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| BANCROFT-ROSALIE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Bancroft, NE | 4.3 |
| CRAWFORD HIGH SCHOOL Crawford, NE | 4.2 |
| THEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL Thedford, NE | 4.4 |
| WAUNETA-PALISADE HIGH SCHOOL Wauneta, NE | 4.1 |
| PLEASANTON HIGH SCHOOL Pleasanton, NE | 4.6 |
| SCRIBNER-SNYDER SECONDARY SCH Scribner, NE | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about High Plains Community Jr/sr High School
What grades does High Plains Community Jr/sr High School serve?
High Plains Community Jr/sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend High Plains Community Jr/sr High School?
High Plains Community Jr/sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at High Plains Community Jr/sr High School?
The student-teacher ratio at High Plains Community Jr/sr High School is 7.6:1. 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 Jr/sr High School rank in NE?
High Plains Community Jr/sr High School is ranked #844 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is High Plains Community Jr/sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?
High Plains Community Jr/sr High School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Jr/sr High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, High Plains Community Jr/sr High School has 39.5% math proficiency and 52.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is High Plains Community Jr/sr High School a charter school?
No, High Plains Community Jr/sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is High Plains Community Jr/sr High School a Title I school?
No, High Plains Community Jr/sr High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for High Plains Community Jr/sr High School?
38.4% of students at High Plains Community Jr/sr 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
- County Safety
- Average (384/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 99
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (402) 765-3331
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HIGH PLAINS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 212
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,300
- District Rank
- #2 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.
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