Very Good
#197 of 966 schools in NE
Top 20% in state
Meadowlark Elementary School
Elementary School · KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1010 E 53RD ST, Kearney, NE 68847
Enrollment
399
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
399
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kearney
#2 of 15
public schools
Nebraska elementary schools
#131 of 530
In district
#2 of 14
KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Meadowlark Elementary School
Meadowlark Elementary School serves 399 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Kearney, Nebraska. This highly-rated public elementary school ranks 98th out of 974 schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, with 82% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels.
With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, Meadowlark maintains an 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio, providing students with solid instructional support. Students come from a stable community where the median household income is $66,818 and 36% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects a mix of working families, with median home values around $211,300 and a poverty rate of 14.6%.
This economic diversity contributes to a well-rounded school environment where students from various backgrounds learn together. Meadowlark Elementary's consistent academic success and strong state ranking make it an attractive option for families seeking quality elementary education. The school is situated in the town setting of Kearney, a Buffalo County community of over 17,000 residents that provides a supportive environment for young learners to thrive academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Meadowlark Elementary School — Students at Meadowlark Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.8%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How Meadowlark Elementary School Compares
See how Meadowlark Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
1010 E 53RD ST, Kearney, NE 68847
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Meadowlark Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 3.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kearney, see our Kearney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SUNRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF KEARNEY Kearney | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kearney | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| BUFFALO HILLS ELEMENTARY Kearney | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
| KEARNEY EDUCATION CENTER Kearney | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney | 3.5 mi | 7.4 |
| WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney | 3.3 mi | 7.3 |
| KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney | 4.1 mi | 4.8 |
| GIBBON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gibbon | 11.5 mi | 6.7 |
| GIBBON HIGH SCHOOL Gibbon | 11.5 mi | 5.5 |
| AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst | 12.9 mi | 7.2 |
| AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL Amherst | 12.9 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 68847 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,877
Median Home Value
$229,200
Median Rent
$951/mo
Population
17,911
College Educated
34.6%
Homeownership
68.8%
Avg Commute
14.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding Meadowlark Elementary School has a median household income of $74,877. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,200, with a median rent of $951/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BENNINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bennington, NE | 7.7 |
| CARRIAGE HILL ELEMENTARY SCH Papillion, NE | 7.7 |
| CENTRAL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Central City, NE | 7.7 |
| CENTURA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cairo, NE | 7.7 |
| GRETNA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gretna, NE | 7.7 |
| PRAIRIE QUEEN ELEMENTARY Papillion, NE | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Meadowlark Elementary School
What grades does Meadowlark Elementary School serve?
Meadowlark Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Meadowlark Elementary School?
Meadowlark Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 399 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meadowlark Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Meadowlark Elementary School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Meadowlark Elementary School rank in NE?
Meadowlark Elementary School is ranked #197 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Meadowlark Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Meadowlark Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Meadowlark Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meadowlark Elementary School has 78.7% math proficiency and 77.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Meadowlark Elementary School a charter school?
No, Meadowlark Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Meadowlark Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Meadowlark Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meadowlark Elementary School?
20.8% of students at Meadowlark Elementary 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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kearney). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 399
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Buffalo County
- Phone
- (308) 698-8210
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 6,064
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,473
- District Rank
- #2 of 14
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.
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