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Average

#362 of 966 schools in NE

Top 37% in state

Kenesaw Secondary School

High School · KENESAW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

110 N 5TH AVE PO BOX 129, Kenesaw, NE 68956

Enrollment

131

Student-Teacher

8.7:1

Score

6.9

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kenesaw

#2 of 2

public schools

Nebraska high schools

#106 of 263

In district

#2 of 2

KENESAW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Kenesaw Secondary School

Kenesaw Secondary School serves 131 students in grades 7-12 in the small rural community of Kenesaw, Nebraska. This public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.7:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-educator relationships. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #124 out of 974 schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile among Nebraska schools.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 64% achieving proficiency or above, while 54% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. Kenesaw Secondary draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $77,083 and the poverty rate remains low at just 3.4%. The area maintains a median home value of $163,400, reflecting the community's solid economic foundation.

While 27% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves families from diverse educational backgrounds. The intimate school environment, combined with the small-town setting, creates opportunities for students to participate across multiple activities and develop close mentoring relationships with faculty. Kenesaw Secondary School operates within Adams County's rural landscape, where agriculture and community values shape the educational experience for students in this close-knit Nebraska community of approximately 1,127 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 131 students, Kenesaw Secondary 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 8.7:1, Kenesaw Secondary 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, Kenesaw Secondary 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 Progress9.1Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness3.0Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,886

Kenesaw Secondary School — Students at Kenesaw Secondary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Kenesaw Secondary School Compares

See how Kenesaw Secondary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in NE
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

110 N 5TH AVE PO BOX 129, Kenesaw, NE 68956

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kenesaw Secondary School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SHELTON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Shelton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ADAMS CENTRAL JR-SR HIGH SCH (rated 6.5/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Hastings), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SILVER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Roseland), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kenesaw, see our Kenesaw schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.5 mi
School Distance Rating
KENESAW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kenesaw 0.0 mi 8.7
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Juniata 4.4 mi 6.0
ADAMS CENTRAL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Juniata 8.2 mi 5.5
SHELTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shelton 11.2 mi 4.2
SHELTON HIGH SCHOOL Shelton 11.2 mi 7.9
SILVER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Roseland 11.7 mi 5.9
ADAMS CENTRAL JR-SR HIGH SCH Hastings 10.7 mi 6.5
ADAMS CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings 10.9 mi 6.8
WOOD RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wood River 14.2 mi 8.1
WOOD RIVER RURAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Wood River 14.7 mi 7.3
WOOD RIVER RURAL HIGH SCHOOL Wood River 14.7 mi 5.7
ST MICHAEL'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings 12.0 mi 8.1
GIBBON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gibbon 13.1 mi 6.7
GIBBON HIGH SCHOOL Gibbon 13.1 mi 5.5
HASTINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Hastings 12.3 mi 5.8
ZION CLASSICAL ACADEMY Hastings 12.5 mi 6.2
HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings 12.7 mi 6.6
RAYMOND A WATSON ELEM SCHOOL Hastings 12.7 mi 4.8
MORTON EARLY LEARNING CENTER Hastings 13.3 mi
HASTINGS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Hastings 13.5 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68956 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,524

Median Home Value

$184,100

Median Rent

$748/mo

Population

1,108

College Educated

32.2%

Homeownership

86.7%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

3.8%

Median Age

43.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kenesaw Secondary School has a median household income of $89,524. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $184,100, with a median rent of $748/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
ANSLEY HIGH SCHOOL Ansley, NE 6.9
GARDEN COUNTY JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Oshkosh, NE 6.9
HUMPHREY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Humphrey, NE 6.9
ROCK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Bassett, NE 6.9
STUART HIGH SCHOOL Stuart, NE 6.9
BURWELL JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Burwell, NE 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kenesaw Secondary School

What grades does Kenesaw Secondary School serve?

Kenesaw Secondary School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Kenesaw Secondary School?

Kenesaw Secondary School has an enrollment of approximately 131 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kenesaw Secondary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Kenesaw Secondary School is 8.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kenesaw Secondary School rank in NE?

Kenesaw Secondary School is ranked #362 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Kenesaw Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kenesaw Secondary School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Kenesaw Secondary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kenesaw Secondary School has 58.7% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kenesaw Secondary School a charter school?

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

Is Kenesaw Secondary School a Title I school?

No, Kenesaw Secondary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kenesaw Secondary School?

26.7% of students at Kenesaw Secondary 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (110/100K)

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
131
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Adams County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

KENESAW PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
276
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,777
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 methodology

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