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Excellent

#117 of 966 schools in NE

Top 12% in state

Johnson Co Central Middle Sch

Middle School · JOHNSON CO CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHS

407 N 1ST ST PO BOX 255, Cook, NE 68392

Enrollment

120

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

8.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cook

#1 of 2

public schools

Nebraska middle schools

#9 of 133

In district

#2 of 4

JOHNSON CO CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHS

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Johnson Co Central Middle Sch

Johnson Co Central Middle Sch is a regular public middle school located in the remote rural area of Cook, Nebraska. It serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 120 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, providing individualized attention for each student. The school has nine full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their pupils' education.

Johnson Co Central Middle Sch ranks 68th percentile among Nebraska schools, placing it at #196 out of 974 middle schools in the state. Academically, the school scores a 5.7/10 on MySchoolScout, with 45% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 42% proficient or above in math. While these numbers show room for improvement, they also highlight areas where the school can focus its efforts to enhance student performance.

The school's rural setting means that it is deeply connected to the local community, offering a close-knit environment where teachers know each child well and parents are actively involved. Johnson Co Central Middle Sch provides a supportive educational experience in a small-town atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 120 students, Johnson Co Central Middle Sch 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.

Located in a rural area, Johnson Co Central Middle Sch 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.7Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,866

Johnson Co Central Middle Sch — Students at Johnson Co Central Middle Sch score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
47%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Johnson Co Central Middle Sch Compares

See how Johnson Co Central Middle Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
88th percentile in NE
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

407 N 1ST ST PO BOX 255, Cook, NE 68392

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Johnson Co Central Middle Sch may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MIDDLE SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE (rated 8.1/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Syracuse), with a very similar rating. Another option is AUBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Auburn), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NEBRASKA CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.3/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Nebraska City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cook, see our Cook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.5 mi
School Distance Rating
JOHNSON CO CENTRAL ELEM-COOK Cook 0.0 mi 7.1
JOHNSON CO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Tecumseh 9.9 mi 5.8
JOHNSON CO CENTRAL EL-TECUMSEH Tecumseh 10.0 mi 9.3
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE Syracuse 10.1 mi 6.9
ST ANDREW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tecumseh 10.1 mi
MIDDLE SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE Syracuse 10.5 mi 8.1
HIGH SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE Syracuse 10.6 mi 7.9
HIGH SCHOOL AT JOHNSON Johnson 11.1 mi 8.5
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT JOHNSON Johnson 11.1 mi 8.3
STERLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sterling 11.8 mi 6.7
STERLING HIGH SCHOOL Sterling 11.8 mi 5.6
JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL AT PALMYRA Palmyra 17.9 mi 6.6
PALMYRA MIDDLE SCHOOL Palmyra 17.9 mi 3.6
NEBRASKA CITY HIGH SCHOOL Nebraska City 18.7 mi 4.0
AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL Auburn 18.4 mi 6.7
AUBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL Auburn 18.4 mi 8.1
HAYWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nebraska City 19.2 mi 5.6
LITTLE LEARNERS PRESCHOOL Auburn 18.8 mi 5.2
CALVERT ELEMENTARY Auburn 18.9 mi 6.4
NEBRASKA CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Nebraska City 19.5 mi 4.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AINSWORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Ainsworth, NE 8.3
NORTH BEND CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL North Bend, NE 8.3
VALENTINE MIDDLE SCHOOL Valentine, NE 8.4
BOYD COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL (SPENCER) Spencer, NE 7.7
CROSS COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Stromsburg, NE 7.7
WOOD RIVER RURAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Wood River, NE 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Johnson Co Central Middle Sch

What grades does Johnson Co Central Middle Sch serve?

Johnson Co Central Middle Sch serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Johnson Co Central Middle Sch?

Johnson Co Central Middle Sch has an enrollment of approximately 120 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Johnson Co Central Middle Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Johnson Co Central Middle Sch is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Johnson Co Central Middle Sch rank in NE?

Johnson Co Central Middle Sch is ranked #117 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Johnson Co Central Middle Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Johnson Co Central Middle Sch has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Johnson Co Central Middle Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Johnson Co Central Middle Sch has 42.0% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Johnson Co Central Middle Sch a charter school?

No, Johnson Co Central Middle Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Johnson Co Central Middle Sch a Title I school?

No, Johnson Co Central Middle Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Johnson Co Central Middle Sch?

51.7% of students at Johnson Co Central Middle Sch 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Johnson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

JOHNSON CO CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHS
District Enrollment
521
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,913
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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