Needs Improvement

#906 of 966 schools in NE

Howard Elementary School

Elementary School · GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

502 W 9TH ST, Grand Island, NE 68801

Last updated: May 2026

Enrollment

463

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

463

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated
2022-23

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Island

#17 of 22

public schools

Nebraska elementary schools

#484 of 530

In district

#14 of 19

GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

About Howard Elementary School

Howard Elementary School is a regular public school located in Grand Island, Nebraska, nestled in the heart of Hall County. With an enrollment of 463 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, Howard Elementary provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The school offers education from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, ensuring a strong foundation for young learners.

Howard Elementary has 30 full-time equivalent teachers committed to the academic growth and social development of their students. Despite its current ranking as #951 out of 974 schools in Nebraska (2nd percentile), Howard Elementary is focused on improving educational outcomes and fostering an environment where all students can succeed. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 2.6/10, with a more specific academic score of 1.8/10, indicating there is room for improvement in test performance.

Currently, 30% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 27% meet proficiency standards in math. Howard Elementary School is situated in a small city setting within Grand Island, offering a close-knit community atmosphere that supports both students and families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress3.9Fair50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data3

Annual Change-4.35 pts/yr

Data Period2019–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency22%

Reading/ELA Proficiency27%

Overall Proficiency25%

Expected (poverty-adj.)46%

vs. Expected-21.6 pts

Adjusted Percentile9th

College Readiness—Not Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.0Average20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1

Per-Pupil Spending$13,377

Howard Elementary School — Students at Howard Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.0%

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 30.3%

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

37%

ELA

37%

2021*

Math

22%

ELA

27%

2022

Math

22%

ELA

27%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Howard Elementary School Compares

See how Howard Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

3.8/10

6th percentile in NE

Academic

2.7/10

Growth

3.9/10

Below average

Environment

5.0/10

Above average

Performance Trends

Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2022).

Location

502 W 9TH ST, Grand Island, NE 68801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Howard Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KNICKREHM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Island, see our Grand Island schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Grand Island	0.3 mi	148	6.2
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	0.6 mi	371	3.6
KNICKREHM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	0.9 mi	251	6.0
WASMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	0.9 mi	340	4.7
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	0.8 mi	343	4.5
CENTRAL CATHOLIC MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island	0.8 mi	273	7.6
GRAND ISLAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island	1.1 mi	2,670	3.9
WALNUT MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island	1.1 mi	789	6.4
DODGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	1.3 mi	446	5.1
NEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	1.2 mi	378	7.5
WEST LAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	1.5 mi	328	3.7
STARR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	2.0 mi	451	3.1
GATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	1.8 mi	303	3.9
BARR MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island	2.0 mi	663	5.2
STOLLEY PARK ELEM SCHOOL Grand Island	2.1 mi	279	3.0
SEEDLING MILE ELEM SCHOOL Grand Island	2.3 mi	123	3.1
PLATTE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Grand Island	2.6 mi	9	—
NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island	3.0 mi	653	5.3
WESTRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island	2.9 mi	624	7.7
ENGLEMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island	3.0 mi	481	5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,214

Median Home Value

$186,600

Median Rent

$931/mo

Population

30,305

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

59.6%

Avg Commute

18.3 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

32.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Howard Elementary School has a median household income of $63,214. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $186,600, with a median rent of $931/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus, NE	347	3.8
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE	463	3.8
ORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ord, NE	325	3.8
PERSHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lexington, NE	305	3.8
HOLDREGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Holdrege, NE	353	3.7
MINNE LUSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE	342	3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Howard Elementary School

What grades does Howard Elementary School serve?

Howard Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Howard Elementary School?

Howard Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Howard Elementary 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 Howard Elementary School rank in NE?

Howard Elementary School is ranked #906 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Howard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Howard Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Howard Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard Elementary School has 27.0% math proficiency and 30.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Howard Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Howard Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Howard Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

Explore More Schools

All schools in Grand Island, NE Schools in NE GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS District 20 nearby schools

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety: High (2,140/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Island). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades: Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment: 463
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15.4:1
Teachers (FTE): 30
Type: regular
Setting: Small City
County: Hall County
Phone: (308) 385-5916
Data Year: 2023–2024

Resources & Links

Search for School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

District

GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

District Enrollment: 10,070
Schools in District: 23
Per-Pupil Spending: $13,267
District Rank: #14 of 19

Other Schools in This District

WESTRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL 7.7 NEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.5 WALNUT MIDDLE SCHOOL 6.4 KNICKREHM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6.0 BARR MIDDLE SCHOOL 5.2

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

Data sources

NCES CCDSY 2022-23 NE EDFACTS2021-22 NCES EdFacts2019–2022 Census ACS2019-2023 AI description MySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

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