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
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Howells Senior High School — Students at Howells Senior High School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
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: 3.6/10.
How Howells Senior High School Compares
See how Howells Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (402) 986-1621
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HOWELLS-DODGE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 297
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,060
- 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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.