Very Good
#184 of 966 schools in NE
Top 19% in state
Palmer Junior-senior High
High School · PALMER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
202 COMMERCIAL ST, Palmer, NE 68864
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmer
#1 of 2
public schools
Nebraska high schools
#44 of 263
In district
#1 of 2
PALMER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic performance
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Palmer Junior-senior High
Palmer Junior-Senior High serves 115 students in grades 7-12 in the small rural community of Palmer, Nebraska. With 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #108 out of 974 Nebraska schools, placing it in the 89th percentile statewide.
Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 64% achieving proficiency or above, while 54% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. This academic achievement reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a small-school environment. Palmer Junior-Senior High draws students from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $72,917 and homeownership is affordable with median home values around $129,400.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 2.8%, contributing to a supportive educational environment. While 24% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves families from diverse educational backgrounds. Located on Commercial Street in Palmer, this small high school embodies the close-knit character of rural Nebraska education, where students can participate meaningfully in academics, activities, and community life within Merrick County's agricultural landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 115 students, Palmer Junior-senior High 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.
Located in a rural area, Palmer Junior-senior High 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palmer Junior-senior High — Students at Palmer Junior-senior High score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.2%
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: 8.0/10.
How Palmer Junior-senior High Compares
See how Palmer Junior-senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 64.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 54.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
202 COMMERCIAL ST, Palmer, NE 68864
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmer Junior-senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CENTRAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Central City), with a comparable rating. Another option is ST PAUL JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby St. Paul), a more accessible option. Additionally, NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 20.0 miles away, in nearby Grand Island), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PALMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palmer | 0.0 mi | 4.1 |
| 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 Junior-senior High 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 |
|---|---|
| CALLAWAY HIGH SCHOOL Callaway, NE | 7.7 |
| LUTHERAN HIGH NORTHEAST Norfolk, NE | 7.7 |
| CENTRAL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Greeley, NE | 7.8 |
| DUNDY CO STRATTON HIGH SCHOOL Benkelman, NE | 7.8 |
| FRIEND HIGH SCHOOLS Friend, NE | 7.8 |
| RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, NE | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmer Junior-senior High
What grades does Palmer Junior-senior High serve?
Palmer Junior-senior High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Palmer Junior-senior High?
Palmer Junior-senior High has an enrollment of approximately 115 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmer Junior-senior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmer Junior-senior High is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmer Junior-senior High rank in NE?
Palmer Junior-senior High is ranked #184 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Palmer Junior-senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmer Junior-senior High 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 Palmer Junior-senior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmer Junior-senior High has 57.8% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmer Junior-senior High a charter school?
No, Palmer Junior-senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmer Junior-senior High a Title I school?
No, Palmer Junior-senior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmer Junior-senior High?
45.2% of students at Palmer Junior-senior High 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. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 115
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Merrick County
- Phone
- (308) 894-3065
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PALMER PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 318
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,096
- District Rank
- #1 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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.