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Very Good

#320 of 966 schools in NE

Top 33% in state

Howells Senior High School

High School · HOWELLS-DODGE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS

417 CENTER STREET PO BOX 159, Howells, NE 68641

Enrollment

137

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Nebraska high schools

#87 of 263

In district

#2 of 2

HOWELLS-DODGE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Howells Senior High School

Howells Senior High School serves 137 students in grades 7-12 in the small farming community of Howells, Nebraska. This public high school has earned recognition as one of the state's top-performing schools, ranking 46th out of 974 Nebraska schools and earning an impressive 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. With just 14 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students.

Academic performance is notably strong, with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 57% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. The school serves a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $61,375 and home values average $109,900. About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 8.3%.

The zip code area has a population of just over 1,100 residents. Located on Center Street in downtown Howells, this high-achieving school provides quality education in Nebraska's remote rural Colfax County, where students benefit from small class sizes and a supportive agricultural community environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 137 students, Howells Senior 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, Howells Senior 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, Howells Senior 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 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,720

Howells Senior High School — Students at Howells Senior High School score 64% 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

33.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
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
77%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
72%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Howells Senior High School Compares

See how Howells Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in NE
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

417 CENTER STREET PO BOX 159, Howells, NE 68641

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Howells Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WISNER-PILGER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Wisner), which scores notably higher. Another option is CLARKSON JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Clarkson), with a very similar rating. Additionally, LEIGH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Leigh), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Howells, see our Howells schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.3 mi
School Distance Rating
HOWELLS-DODGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/HOWELLS Howells 0.0 mi
HOWELL'S COMMUNITY CATHOLIC Howells 0.3 mi 5.9
CLARKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarkson 6.1 mi 8.6
CLARKSON JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Clarkson 6.1 mi 7.2
HOWELLS-DODGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/DODGE Dodge 6.5 mi 8.9
ST WENCESLAUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dodge 6.6 mi
SCHUYLER ELEMENTARY-FISHER'S Schuyler 14.0 mi 5.8
LEIGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leigh 12.1 mi 6.9
LEIGH HIGH SCHOOL Leigh 12.1 mi 7.0
SCHUYLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Schuyler 18.3 mi 7.5
DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL Schuyler 18.6 mi 4.9
NORTH WARD PREKINDERGARTEN Schuyler 19.0 mi 5.2
WISNER-PILGER ELEM SCHOOL Wisner 19.2 mi 7.5
WISNER-PILGER HIGH SCHOOL Wisner 19.2 mi 8.4
SCHUYLER MIDDLE SCHOOL Schuyler 19.4 mi 5.6
SCHUYLER HEADSTART Schuyler 19.5 mi 5.2
SCHUYLER CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Schuyler 19.8 mi 5.9
STANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Stanton 19.0 mi 6.3
STANTON HIGH SCHOOL Stanton 19.4 mi 6.1
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL West Point 17.3 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68641 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,726

Median Home Value

$121,100

Median Rent

$583/mo

Population

986

College Educated

23%

Homeownership

84.8%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

53.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Howells Senior High School has a median household income of $71,726. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,100, with a median rent of $583/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
SOUTHWEST JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Bartley, NE 7.1
BURWELL JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Burwell, NE 7.0
LEIGH HIGH SCHOOL Leigh, NE 7.0
TRI COUNTY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Dewitt, NE 7.0
CLARKSON JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Clarkson, NE 7.2
MAXWELL HIGH SCHOOL Maxwell, NE 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Howells Senior High School

What grades does Howells Senior High School serve?

Howells Senior High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Howells Senior High School?

Howells Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 137 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Howells Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Howells Senior 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 Howells Senior High School rank in NE?

Howells Senior High School is ranked #320 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Howells Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Howells Senior High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Howells Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howells Senior High School has 62.0% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Howells Senior High School a charter school?

No, Howells Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Howells Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Howells Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howells Senior High School?

33.6% of students at Howells Senior 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (47/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Colfax County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HOWELLS-DODGE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
297
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,060
District Rank
#2 of 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

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