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Below Average

#868 of 966 schools in NE

Palmer Elementary School

Elementary School · PALMER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

202 COMMERCIAL ST, Palmer, NE 68864

Enrollment

203

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palmer

#2 of 2

public schools

Nebraska elementary schools

#460 of 530

In district

#2 of 2

PALMER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

About Palmer Elementary School

Palmer Elementary School is a regular public school located in the heart of Palmer, Nebraska. With an enrollment of 203 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. The dedicated staff includes 13 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to ensure every student receives the support they need.

Academically, Palmer Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks 718th out of 974 schools in Nebraska, placing it at the 26th percentile. The school's academic score is 5.7 out of 10, with 60% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 54% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for growth, Palmer Elementary School focuses on student development and strives to provide a strong educational foundation.

Palmer Elementary School is situated in a rural setting, offering a close-knit community where everyone knows each other. This small-town atmosphere fosters a supportive environment that promotes learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Palmer Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,015

Palmer Elementary School — Students at Palmer Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.3%
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
72%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
57%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Palmer Elementary School Compares

See how Palmer Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
10th percentile in NE
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

202 COMMERCIAL ST, Palmer, NE 68864

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palmer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby St. Paul), which scores notably higher. Another option is CENTRAL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Central City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, 1R ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Grand Island), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.2 mi
School Distance Rating
PALMER JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH Palmer 0.0 mi 7.7
ST LIBORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Libory 10.2 mi 7.3
ST PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Paul 10.4 mi 8.1
ST PAUL JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL St. Paul 10.4 mi 6.4
1R ELEMENTARY Grand Island 16.3 mi 7.5
LOCKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island 17.8 mi
NEBRASKA CHRISTAIN SCHOOLS Central City 14.1 mi 6.8
CENTRAL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Central City 15.8 mi 7.7
KNICKREHM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island 19.7 mi 6.0
CENTRAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL Central City 16.1 mi 6.9
CENTRAL CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Central City 16.1 mi 7.8
SEEDLING MILE ELEM SCHOOL Grand Island 20.3 mi 3.1
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island 20.1 mi 4.5
GRAND ISLAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island 20.1 mi 3.9
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Grand Island 20.3 mi 6.2
WEST LAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island 20.2 mi 3.7
NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island 20.0 mi 5.3
HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island 20.6 mi 3.8
WALNUT MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island 20.6 mi 6.4
ELBA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elba 16.2 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68864 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,440

Median Home Value

$134,800

Median Rent

$963/mo

Population

1,065

College Educated

25.5%

Homeownership

86.6%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

3.2%

Median Age

42.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Palmer Elementary School has a median household income of $77,440. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,800, with a median rent of $963/month. The local poverty rate of 3.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
PLEASANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pleasanton, NE 4.1
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 4.1
SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY-INDIANOLA Indianola, NE 4.1
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sidney, NE 4.0
ROSE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 4.0
MEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mead, NE 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palmer Elementary School

What grades does Palmer Elementary School serve?

Palmer Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Palmer Elementary School?

Palmer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 203 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmer Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Palmer Elementary School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Palmer Elementary School rank in NE?

Palmer Elementary School is ranked #868 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Palmer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Palmer Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Palmer Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmer Elementary School has 53.7% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Palmer Elementary School a charter school?

No, Palmer Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Palmer Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Palmer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmer Elementary School?

53.7% of students at Palmer 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (130/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
203
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Merrick County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PALMER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
318
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,096
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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