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Average

#383 of 966 schools in NE

Top 40% in state

Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch

High School · MC COOL JUNCTION PUBLIC SCHS

209 SOUTH GRAGAN AVE PO BOX 278, Mccool Junction, NE 68401

Enrollment

127

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

6.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mccool Junction

#2 of 2

public schools

Nebraska high schools

#116 of 263

In district

#2 of 2

MC COOL JUNCTION PUBLIC SCHS

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch

McCool Junction Jr-Sr High Sch is a regular public school located in the rural community of McCool Junction, Nebraska. Serving students from seventh grade through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 127 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1 with twelve full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at McCool Junction Jr-Sr High Sch is currently in need of improvement.

The MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.5 out of 10, placing the school near the bottom nationally among Nebraska schools at #678 out of 974. In terms of proficiency rates, only 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 31% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the dedicated staff works tirelessly to support student development and academic growth.

McCool Junction Jr-Sr High Sch is situated in a close-knit rural setting where community involvement plays a significant role in the school's operations and activities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 127 students, Mccool Junction Jr-sr 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.

While current test scores at Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Mccool Junction Jr-sr 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 Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,677

Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch — Students at Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch 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

37%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.8%
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
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch Compares

See how Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
61th percentile in NE
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

209 SOUTH GRAGAN AVE PO BOX 278, Mccool Junction, NE 68401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HEARTLAND COMMUNITY HIGH SCH (rated 8.0/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Henderson), which scores notably higher. Another option is CENTENNIAL JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Utica), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NEBRASKA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Waco), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mccool Junction, see our Mccool Junction schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.3 mi
School Distance Rating
MC COOL JUNCTION ELEM SCHOOL Mccool Junction 0.0 mi 8.0
FILLMORE CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Fairmont 7.4 mi 6.9
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL York 8.5 mi 7.4
EMMANUEL-FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL York 8.8 mi 5.4
YORK HIGH SCHOOL York 9.3 mi 5.1
YORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL York 9.3 mi 5.0
PRESCHOOL LEARNING ACADEMY York 9.3 mi 5.1
YORK MIDDLE SCHOOL York 9.5 mi 6.5
EXETER-MILLIGAN HIGH SCHOOL Exeter 10.5 mi 5.2
EXETER-MILLIGAN ELEM-EXETER Exeter 10.5 mi 9.0
EXETER-MILLIGAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Exeter 10.5 mi
NEBRASKA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Waco 12.9 mi 7.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waco 13.0 mi
FILLMORE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Geneva 14.5 mi 5.9
FILLMORE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Geneva 14.9 mi 4.8
HEARTLAND COMMUNITY HIGH SCH Henderson 11.5 mi 8.0
HEARTLAND COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY Henderson 11.5 mi 6.8
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 16.3 mi 8.6
CENTENNIAL JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Utica 16.3 mi 7.6
CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Utica 16.3 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,125

Median Home Value

$176,100

Median Rent

$903/mo

Population

1,073

College Educated

22%

Homeownership

84.3%

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

28.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch has a median household income of $108,125. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,100, with a median rent of $903/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% 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
OVERTON HIGH SCHOOL Overton, NE 6.8
CEDAR CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hartington, NE 6.7
PAWNEE CITY SECONDARY SCHOOL Pawnee City, NE 6.7
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch

What grades does Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch serve?

Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch?

Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch has an enrollment of approximately 127 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch rank in NE?

Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch is ranked #383 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch has 31.2% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch a charter school?

No, Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch a Title I school?

No, Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mccool Junction Jr-sr High Sch?

37.0% of students at Mccool Junction Jr-sr 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 →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (112/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
127
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
York County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MC COOL JUNCTION PUBLIC SCHS
District Enrollment
240
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,325
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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