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#764 of 966 schools in NE

Lawrence/nelson High Sch

High School · SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5

850 S NEVADA PO BOX 368, Nelson, NE 68961

Enrollment

68

Student-Teacher

7.6:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nelson

#1 of 2

public schools

Nebraska high schools

#228 of 263

In district

#5 of 6

SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Lawrence/nelson High Sch

Lawrence/Nelson High School is a small rural high school located in Nelson, Nebraska. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 68 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is quite remote, offering a tight-knit community atmosphere where every student receives personalized attention.

Academically, Lawrence/Nelson High School ranks in the lower sixth percentile among Nebraska schools, reflecting areas for growth in both ELA and math proficiency scores. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to fostering an environment that supports student development and continuous improvement. Lawrence/Nelson High School is situated in a rural area with a close-knit community feel.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 68 students, Lawrence/nelson High 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, Lawrence/nelson High Sch 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, Lawrence/nelson High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.1Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-12.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,203

Lawrence/nelson High Sch — Students at Lawrence/nelson High Sch score 30% 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

45.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.2%
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
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
30%

* 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: 1.1/10.

How Lawrence/nelson High Sch Compares

See how Lawrence/nelson High Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in NE
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

850 S NEVADA PO BOX 368, Nelson, NE 68961

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lawrence/nelson High Sch may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BLUE HILL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Blue Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARVARD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 29.4 miles away, in nearby Harvard), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUPERIOR SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Superior), 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 MIDDLE SCHOOL Nelson 0.0 mi 3.9
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 High Sch 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
LEWISTON HIGH SCHOOL Lewiston, NE 5.0
WYNOT HIGH SCHOOL Wynot, NE 4.9
EXETER-MILLIGAN HIGH SCHOOL Exeter, NE 5.2
WHEELER CENTRAL HIGH Bartlett, NE 5.2
STAPLETON HIGH SCHOOL Stapleton, NE 5.4
ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL Allen, NE 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lawrence/nelson High Sch

What grades does Lawrence/nelson High Sch serve?

Lawrence/nelson High Sch serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Lawrence/nelson High Sch?

Lawrence/nelson High Sch has an enrollment of approximately 68 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawrence/nelson High Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Lawrence/nelson High Sch is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lawrence/nelson High Sch rank in NE?

Lawrence/nelson High Sch is ranked #764 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Lawrence/nelson High Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Lawrence/nelson High Sch has a composite rating of 5.0 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 High Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lawrence/nelson High Sch has 41.5% math proficiency and 58.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lawrence/nelson High Sch a charter school?

No, Lawrence/nelson High Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lawrence/nelson High Sch a Title I school?

No, Lawrence/nelson High Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lawrence/nelson High Sch?

45.6% of students at Lawrence/nelson High 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
68
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Nuckolls County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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