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Very Good

#356 of 967 schools in NE

Top 37% in state

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

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Nebraska schools

#356 of 967

In Nelson

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 6

SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Lawrence/nelson High Sch

7.0/10

High School in Nelson · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lawrence - Nelson Middle School

2.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Superior SR High School

6.0/10

12.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Lawrence/nelson High Sch

Lawrence/nelson High Sch is a public high school in Nelson, NE, part of SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5. Lawrence/nelson High Sch serves approximately 68 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 7.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Lawrence/nelson High Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #356 of 967 schools in NE.

Structured state assessment records for Lawrence/nelson High Sch show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.8
  • NE avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 68 students, Lawrence/nelson High Sch is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at Lawrence/nelson High Sch sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

At 7.6:1 students to teachers, Lawrence/nelson High Sch sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,597
Chronic Absenteeism19.1%

Lawrence/nelson High Sch — Students at Lawrence/nelson High Sch score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

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 60.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
95%
ELA
64.5%
2010
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2013
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2015
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2016
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2017
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
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: 8.2/10.

How Lawrence/nelson High Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in NE
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.1%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·16 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.6/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Blue Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARVARD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 29.4 miles away, in nearby Harvard), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DESHLER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Deshler), with a very similar rating. 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 2.8
SUPERIOR SR HIGH SCHOOL Superior 12.0 mi 6.0
SUPERIOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Superior 12.0 mi 5.5
SUPERIOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Superior 12.0 mi 5.3
LAWRENCE/NELSON ELEMENTARY SCH Lawrence 11.7 mi 6.8
SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Fairfield 16.4 mi 6.6
SANDY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairfield 16.4 mi 6.8
SANDY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Fairfield 16.4 mi 5.9
BRUNING-DAVENPORT MIDDLE SCH Davenport 16.1 mi 7.1
BRUNING-DAVENPORT ELEM/DAVENPT Davenport 16.1 mi 8.8
DESHLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Deshler 19.0 mi 6.9
DESHLER HIGH SCHOOL Deshler 19.0 mi 6.7
DESHLER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Deshler 19.0 mi 5.1
BLUE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blue Hill 21.8 mi 8.9
BLUE HILL HIGH SCHOOL Blue Hill 21.8 mi 8.6
SHICKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shickley 24.0 mi 8.5
SHICKLEY HIGH SCHOOL Shickley 24.0 mi 6.2
HARVARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harvard 29.4 mi 5.7
HARVARD HIGH SCHOOL Harvard 29.4 mi 7.7
HARVARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Harvard 29.4 mi 6.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ARTHUR COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Arthur, NE 7.0
CHAMBERS HIGH SCHOOL Chambers, NE 7.0
ELWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Elwood, NE 7.0
FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL Franklin, NE 7.0
CALLAWAY HIGH SCHOOL Callaway, NE 6.9
ISANTI HIGH SCHOOL Niobrara, NE 6.9

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 ranks #356 of 967 schools in NE.

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

Lawrence/nelson High Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Lawrence/nelson High Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lawrence/nelson High Sch has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

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Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.1%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

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