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
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lawrence - Nelson Middle School — Students at Lawrence - Nelson Middle School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
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: 4.8/10.
How Lawrence - Nelson Middle School Compares
See how Lawrence - Nelson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (402) 225-3371
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 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.