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#491 of 966 schools in NE

Sandy Creek Middle School

Middle School · SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5

30671 HIGHWAY 14 PO BOX 125, Fairfield, NE 68938

Enrollment

97

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fairfield

#1 of 3

public schools

Nebraska middle schools

#56 of 133

In district

#2 of 6

SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA UNIFIED 5

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Sandy Creek Middle School

Sandy Creek Middle School is a small public middle school located in the remote rural setting of Fairfield, Nebraska. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 97 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it at the 55th percentile among Nebraska schools based on its state ranking of #438 out of 974 schools.

In terms of academic performance, Sandy Creek Middle School shows strengths in mathematics, with 75% of students proficient or above. Reading and ELA scores are slightly lower, with only 47% of students achieving proficiency. While the school has room for improvement in certain areas, it provides a supportive educational environment tailored to its small student body.

Sandy Creek Middle School is situated in a quiet rural area, offering students a close-knit community feel that encourages involvement and personal connections.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 97 students, Sandy Creek Middle School 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, Sandy Creek Middle 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 Progress4.4Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,203

Sandy Creek Middle School — Students at Sandy Creek Middle School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 75.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
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
77%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
42%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Sandy Creek Middle School Compares

See how Sandy Creek Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in NE
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

30671 HIGHWAY 14 PO BOX 125, Fairfield, NE 68938

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sandy Creek Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BRUNING-DAVENPORT MIDDLE SCH (rated 5.7/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Davenport), with a comparable rating. Another option is HARVARD MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Harvard), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LAWRENCE - NELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 3.9/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Nelson), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.7 mi
School Distance Rating
SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Fairfield 0.0 mi 5.1
SANDY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairfield 0.0 mi 5.2
HARVARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harvard 13.2 mi 4.8
HARVARD HIGH SCHOOL Harvard 13.2 mi 7.6
HARVARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Harvard 13.2 mi 5.5
LAWRENCE/NELSON HIGH SCH Nelson 16.4 mi 5.0
LAWRENCE - NELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Nelson 16.4 mi 3.9
LAWRENCE/NELSON ELEMENTARY SCH Lawrence 14.4 mi 7.8
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sutton 16.3 mi 7.7
SUTTON SECONDARY SCHOOL Sutton 16.3 mi 8.0
BRUNING-DAVENPORT MIDDLE SCH Davenport 15.2 mi 5.7
BRUNING-DAVENPORT ELEM/DAVENPT Davenport 15.2 mi 9.7
SHICKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shickley 17.4 mi 9.6
SHICKLEY HIGH SCHOOL Shickley 17.4 mi 5.5
GILTNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Giltner 23.9 mi 5.6
GILTNER HIGH SCHOOL Giltner 23.9 mi 5.7
ALCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings 20.1 mi 3.8
ST CECILIA MIDDLE SCH/HIGH SCHOOL Hastings 20.6 mi 7.9
LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings 20.9 mi 4.2
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings 20.7 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68938 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,821

Median Home Value

$183,400

Median Rent

$645/mo

Population

455

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

78%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sandy Creek Middle School has a median household income of $69,821. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,400, with a median rent of $645/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
JESUIT ACADEMY Omaha, NE 6.3
CAMBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cambridge, NE 6.4
CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Utica, NE 6.4
GORDON-RUSHVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rushville, NE 6.1
LAUREL-CONCORD-COLERIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Coleridge, NE 5.9
LOUISVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Louisville, NE 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sandy Creek Middle School

What grades does Sandy Creek Middle School serve?

Sandy Creek Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sandy Creek Middle School?

Sandy Creek Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 97 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandy Creek Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sandy Creek Middle School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sandy Creek Middle School rank in NE?

Sandy Creek Middle School is ranked #491 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Sandy Creek Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sandy Creek Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Sandy Creek Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sandy Creek Middle School has 75.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sandy Creek Middle School a charter school?

No, Sandy Creek Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sandy Creek Middle School a Title I school?

No, Sandy Creek Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sandy Creek Middle School?

48.5% of students at Sandy Creek Middle 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
97
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Clay County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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