Very Good
#283 of 966 schools in NE
Top 29% in state
Horizon Middle School
Middle School · KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
915 W 35TH ST, Kearney, NE 68845
Enrollment
631
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
631
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kearney
#6 of 15
public schools
Nebraska middle schools
#29 of 133
In district
#5 of 14
KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Horizon Middle School
Horizon Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Kearney, Nebraska. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 631 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, Horizon provides a supportive learning environment where each student receives individual attention.
Horizon Middle School's academic performance is noteworthy, as reflected in its MySchoolScout Rating of 6.6 out of 10 and state ranking at #245 out of 974 schools across Nebraska. The school’s Academic Score stands at 7.5/10, highlighting its commitment to student development. In terms of specific subject performance, 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 57% achieve proficiency or higher in Math.
Horizon Middle School is situated in a town setting within Buffalo County, offering students easy access to local amenities and community resources. The school plays an integral role in the Kearney community, fostering growth and learning among its middle schoolers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Horizon Middle School — Students at Horizon Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.7%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Horizon Middle School Compares
See how Horizon Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 60% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 56% (2022).
Location
915 W 35TH ST, Kearney, NE 68845
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Horizon Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. AXTELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Axtell), which scores notably higher. Another option is WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kearney, see our Kearney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF KEARNEY Kearney | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kearney | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| KEARNEY EDUCATION CENTER Kearney | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| BUFFALO HILLS ELEMENTARY Kearney | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| SUNRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst | 12.5 mi | 7.2 |
| AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL Amherst | 12.5 mi | 6.5 |
| AXTELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Axtell | 16.0 mi | 8.9 |
| AXTELL HIGH SCHOOL Axtell | 16.0 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 68845 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,350
Median Home Value
$274,200
Median Rent
$896/mo
Population
21,012
College Educated
40.9%
Homeownership
57.6%
Avg Commute
15.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
33.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Horizon Middle School has a median household income of $75,350. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,200, with a median rent of $896/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| LEWIS & CLARK MIDDLE SCHOOL Bellevue, NE | 7.3 |
| ELKHORN RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha, NE | 7.2 |
| ELKHORN GRANDVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha, NE | 7.4 |
| GERALD OTTE BLAIR MIDDLE SCH Blair, NE | 7.6 |
| RUSSELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha, NE | 7.0 |
| SEWARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Seward, NE | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Horizon Middle School
What grades does Horizon Middle School serve?
Horizon Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Horizon Middle School?
Horizon Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 631 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Horizon Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Horizon Middle School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Horizon Middle School rank in NE?
Horizon Middle School is ranked #283 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Horizon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Horizon Middle School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Horizon Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horizon Middle School has 57.3% math proficiency and 54.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Horizon Middle School a charter school?
No, Horizon Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Horizon Middle School a Title I school?
No, Horizon Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Horizon Middle School?
35.7% of students at Horizon Middle 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kearney). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 631
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Buffalo County
- Phone
- (308) 698-8120
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 6,064
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,473
- District Rank
- #5 of 14
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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