Skip to main content

Excellent

#6 of 966 schools in NE

Top 1% in state

So Valley Elementary School

Elementary School · SOUTHERN VALLEY SCHOOLS

43737 HWY 89, Oxford, NE 68967

Enrollment

241

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

9.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oxford

#1 of 2

public schools

Nebraska elementary schools

#6 of 530

In district

#1 of 2

SOUTHERN VALLEY SCHOOLS

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About So Valley Elementary School

So Valley Elementary School serves 241 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in Oxford, Nebraska. It operates as a regular public school with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, keeping class sizes small and instruction focused. The school earns a composite score of 9.5 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with an academic score of 9.2 and a standout growth score of 9.7.

That growth figure reflects how effectively students advance year over year — not just where they start, but how far they go. So Valley ranks 6th out of 966 public schools statewide and places 6th among 530 Nebraska elementary schools, positioning it among the strongest academic performers at any level across the state. It outperforms 100 percent of Nebraska public schools, a distinction that puts it in a category few schools reach.

For families in Oxford, the choice is clear: So Valley holds the top spot among the city's public schools. Parents comparing options across the region will find its combination of low student-teacher ratio, high academic scores, and exceptional growth data hard to match. The numbers reflect a school consistently delivering results for the students it serves.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, So Valley 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 Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,238

So Valley Elementary School — Students at So Valley Elementary School score 67% 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

52.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
62%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How So Valley Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.5/10
100th percentile in NE
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

43737 HWY 89, Oxford, NE 68967

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering So Valley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Almena Elem (rated 9.0/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Almena), with a comparable rating. Another option is ALMA ELEMENTARY AT ALMA (rated 7.7/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Alma), a more accessible option. Additionally, BERTRAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 26.1 miles away, in nearby Bertrand), a more accessible option. For more schools in Oxford, see our Oxford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.5 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTHERN VALLEY JR/SR HIGH Oxford 0.1 mi 6.0
Long Island Middle School Long Island 14.8 mi 8.2
Almena Elem Almena 17.7 mi 9.0
Northern Valley High Almena 17.7 mi 7.3
ALMA ELEMENTARY AT ALMA Alma 15.1 mi 7.7
ALMA HIGH SCHOOL Alma 15.1 mi 7.5
ARAPAHOE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arapahoe 17.6 mi 3.2
ARAPAHOE HIGH SCHOOL Arapahoe 17.6 mi 5.2
LOOMIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Loomis 23.8 mi 5.0
LOOMIS SECONDARY SCHOOL Loomis 23.8 mi 6.0
BERTRAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bertrand 26.1 mi 7.7
BERTRAND HIGH SCHOOL Bertrand 26.1 mi 8.2
Eisenhower Elem Norton 24.9 mi 4.4
HOLDREGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS EARLY CHILDHOOD ED CTR Holdrege 25.1 mi 5.1
HOLDREGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Holdrege 25.1 mi 3.7
Norton Jr High Norton 25.1 mi 4.3
Norton High Norton 25.2 mi 5.1
HOLDREGE HIGH SCHOOL Holdrege 25.3 mi 5.4
HOLDREGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Holdrege 25.4 mi 7.3
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Holdrege 25.5 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68967 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,250

Median Home Value

$114,200

Median Rent

$930/mo

Population

962

College Educated

26.2%

Homeownership

74.4%

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding So Valley Elementary School has a median household income of $56,250. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $114,200, with a median rent of $930/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
HTRS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Humboldt, NE 9.3
JOHNSON CO CENTRAL EL-TECUMSEH Tecumseh, NE 9.3
TRI COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dewitt, NE 9.2
ASHLAND-GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ashland, NE 9.0
BENKELMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Benkelman, NE 9.0
AXTELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Axtell, NE 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about So Valley Elementary School

What grades does So Valley Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend So Valley Elementary School?

So Valley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 241 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at So Valley Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at So Valley Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does So Valley Elementary School rank in NE?

So Valley Elementary School is ranked #6 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is So Valley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

So Valley Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.5 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 So Valley Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, So Valley Elementary School has 67.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is So Valley Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is So Valley Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

52.7% of students at So Valley 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

Walk Score
1 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Furnas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTHERN VALLEY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
397
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,240
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 methodology

Get 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.