Below Average
#796 of 966 schools in NE
Kearney High School
High School · KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2702 WEST 11TH STREET, Kearney, NE 68845
Enrollment
1,654
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,654
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kearney
#15 of 15
public schools
Nebraska high schools
#233 of 263
In district
#14 of 14
KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Kearney High School
Kearney High School serves 1,654 students in grades 9-12 in this central Nebraska town, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 and 91 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school operates as a regular public high school and currently ranks in the 40th percentile among Nebraska high schools, with room for academic growth as it focuses on student development. Academic performance shows 47% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while math performance is slightly stronger with 52% of students meeting proficiency standards.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 reflects these mixed academic outcomes, suggesting opportunities for continued improvement in student achievement. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $73,450 and 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a median home value of $258,000 and a poverty rate of 12.1%, the surrounding neighborhood represents a stable, middle-class environment.
The ZIP code area serves a population of 21,234 residents, creating a substantial community foundation for the school. Kearney High School sits in an established town setting that provides students with the benefits of a close-knit community while maintaining access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities typical of larger school districts.
Score Breakdown
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Kearney High School — Students at Kearney High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.8%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Kearney High School Compares
See how Kearney High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 49% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
2702 WEST 11TH STREET, Kearney, NE 68845
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kearney High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Amherst), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AXTELL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Axtell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kearney, see our Kearney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| KEARNEY EDUCATION CENTER Kearney | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kearney | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF KEARNEY Kearney | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| BUFFALO HILLS ELEMENTARY Kearney | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 3.3 mi | 6.6 |
| SUNRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney | 3.9 mi | 5.5 |
| MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 4.1 mi | 7.7 |
| GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 5.0 mi | 5.2 |
| AXTELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Axtell | 14.0 mi | 8.9 |
| AXTELL HIGH SCHOOL Axtell | 14.0 mi | 6.4 |
| AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst | 13.0 mi | 7.2 |
| AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL Amherst | 13.0 mi | 6.5 |
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 Kearney High 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 |
|---|---|
| HASTINGS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Hastings, NE | 4.8 |
| COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL Columbus, NE | 4.7 |
| SOUTH SIOUX HIGH SCHOOL So Sioux City, NE | 4.6 |
| SCOTTSBLUFF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Scottsbluff, NE | 4.5 |
| NORFOLK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Norfolk, NE | 5.3 |
| PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln, NE | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kearney High School
What grades does Kearney High School serve?
Kearney High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Kearney High School?
Kearney High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,654 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kearney High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kearney High School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kearney High School rank in NE?
Kearney High School is ranked #796 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Kearney High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kearney High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Kearney High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kearney High School has 51.7% math proficiency and 47.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kearney High School a charter school?
No, Kearney High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kearney High School a Title I school?
No, Kearney High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kearney High School?
37.8% of students at Kearney 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.
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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,654
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 91
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Buffalo County
- Phone
- (308) 698-8060
- 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
- #14 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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