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Needs Improvement

#895 of 966 schools in NE

Lawrence - Nelson Middle School

Middle School · SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5

850 S NEVADA PO BOX 368, Nelson, NE 68961

Enrollment

47

Student-Teacher

23.5:1

Score

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nelson

#2 of 2

public schools

Nebraska middle schools

#125 of 133

In district

#6 of 6

SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5

About Lawrence - Nelson Middle School

Lawrence - Nelson Middle School is a small, rural middle school located in Nelson, Nebraska. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 47 students and a student-teacher ratio of 23.5:1 with two full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting is quite remote, which can make it challenging but also fosters a tight-knit community among students and staff.

Academically, Lawrence - Nelson Middle School currently ranks at the bottom of Nebraska schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.7 out of 10. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 31% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 48% meet proficiency standards. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is likely focusing on developing strong foundational skills and fostering a supportive learning environment.

Lawrence - Nelson Middle School is situated in a rural area where community support plays a crucial role in student development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 47 students, Lawrence - Nelson Middle 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Lawrence - Nelson Middle School is 23.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Lawrence - Nelson Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,203

Lawrence - Nelson Middle School — Students at Lawrence - Nelson Middle School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.2%
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
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Lawrence - Nelson Middle School Compares

See how Lawrence - Nelson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
8th percentile in NE
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

850 S NEVADA PO BOX 368, Nelson, NE 68961

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lawrence - Nelson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SANDY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is BRUNING-DAVENPORT MIDDLE SCH (rated 5.7/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Davenport), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HARVARD MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 29.4 miles away, in nearby Harvard), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Nelson, see our Nelson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 29.4 mi
School Distance Rating
LAWRENCE/NELSON HIGH SCH Nelson 0.0 mi 5.0
SUPERIOR SR HIGH SCHOOL Superior 12.0 mi 7.3
SUPERIOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Superior 12.0 mi 7.5
SUPERIOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Superior 12.0 mi 4.2
LAWRENCE/NELSON ELEMENTARY SCH Lawrence 11.7 mi 7.8
SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Fairfield 16.4 mi 5.1
SANDY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairfield 16.4 mi 5.2
SANDY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Fairfield 16.4 mi 6.3
BRUNING-DAVENPORT MIDDLE SCH Davenport 16.1 mi 5.7
BRUNING-DAVENPORT ELEM/DAVENPT Davenport 16.1 mi 9.7
DESHLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Deshler 19.0 mi 6.9
DESHLER HIGH SCHOOL Deshler 19.0 mi 7.3
DESHLER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Deshler 19.0 mi 5.1
BLUE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blue Hill 21.8 mi 7.4
BLUE HILL HIGH SCHOOL Blue Hill 21.8 mi 8.5
SHICKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shickley 24.0 mi 9.6
SHICKLEY HIGH SCHOOL Shickley 24.0 mi 5.5
HARVARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harvard 29.4 mi 4.8
HARVARD HIGH SCHOOL Harvard 29.4 mi 7.6
HARVARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Harvard 29.4 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68961 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,611

Median Home Value

$78,900

Median Rent

$492/mo

Population

615

College Educated

25.4%

Homeownership

83.8%

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

59.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lawrence - Nelson Middle School has a median household income of $58,611. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $78,900, with a median rent of $492/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BANNER COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Harrisburg, NE 4.3
ISANTI MIDDLE SCHOOL Niobrara, NE 4.8
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL AT JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Raymond, NE 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lawrence - Nelson Middle School

What grades does Lawrence - Nelson Middle School serve?

Lawrence - Nelson Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lawrence - Nelson Middle School?

Lawrence - Nelson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawrence - Nelson Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lawrence - Nelson Middle School is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lawrence - Nelson Middle School rank in NE?

Lawrence - Nelson Middle School is ranked #895 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Lawrence - Nelson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lawrence - Nelson Middle School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Lawrence - Nelson Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lawrence - Nelson Middle School has 47.8% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lawrence - Nelson Middle School a charter school?

No, Lawrence - Nelson Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lawrence - Nelson Middle School a Title I school?

No, Lawrence - Nelson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lawrence - Nelson Middle School?

42.6% of students at Lawrence - Nelson Middle 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Nuckolls County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5
District Enrollment
733
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,597
District Rank
#6 of 6

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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