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Average

#434 of 966 schools in NE

Top 45% in state

Southern Elementary School

Elementary School · SOUTHERN SCHOOL DISTRICT 1

315 W 2ND ST PO BOX 158, Blue Springs, NE 68318

Enrollment

199

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Nebraska elementary schools

#250 of 530

In district

#1 of 2

SOUTHERN SCHOOL DISTRICT 1

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Southern Elementary School

Southern Elementary School is a regular public school nestled in the rural setting of Blue Springs, Nebraska. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 199 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. Southern Elementary's academic performance shows room for improvement, ranking at 695 out of 974 schools in Nebraska according to MySchoolScout’s metrics, placing it around the 29th percentile statewide.

The school's ELA and reading proficiency is at 37%, while math proficiency stands at 32%. Despite these figures, Southern Elementary focuses on student development and strives to provide a supportive educational environment for its young learners. Southern Elementary School is located in a quiet rural area of Blue Springs, offering a close-knit community feel.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 199 students, Southern Elementary 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.

While current test scores at Southern Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Southern Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,188

Southern Elementary School — Students at Southern Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Southern Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in NE
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Location

315 W 2ND ST PO BOX 158, Blue Springs, NE 68318

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TRI COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Dewitt), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marysville Elem (rated 8.1/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Marysville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DILLER-ODELL ELEM SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Diller), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Blue Springs, see our Blue Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTHERN JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Wymore 1.1 mi 5.2
BEATRICE HIGH SCHOOL Beatrice 8.8 mi 5.3
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Beatrice 9.8 mi 5.1
STODDARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Beatrice 9.6 mi 4.9
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Beatrice 10.1 mi 5.5
BEATRICE MIDDLE SCHOOL Beatrice 10.0 mi 5.6
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Beatrice 10.1 mi 5.9
PADDOCK LANE SCHOOL Beatrice 10.5 mi 5.7
DILLER-ODELL SECONDARY SCHOOL Odell 9.3 mi 6.3
BEATRICE COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL Beatrice 10.3 mi 5.2
DILLER-ODELL ELEM SCHOOL Diller 14.4 mi 7.8
LEWISTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lewiston 15.4 mi 5.4
LEWISTON HIGH SCHOOL Lewiston 15.4 mi 5.0
Marysville Elem Marysville 20.3 mi 8.1
ST GREGORY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY Marysville 20.4 mi 6.1
Marysville Jr/Sr High Marysville 20.6 mi 6.1
ST JOHN'S SCHOOL Hanover 20.1 mi 4.3
Hanover High Hanover 20.2 mi 8.4
TRI COUNTY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Dewitt 19.1 mi 7.0
TRI COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dewitt 19.1 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68318 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,563

Median Home Value

$56,000

Median Rent

$1,118/mo

Population

439

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

76.3%

Poverty Rate

16.9%

Median Age

42

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southern Elementary School has a median household income of $56,563. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $56,000, with a median rent of $1,118/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ADAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 6.6
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney, NE 6.6
FULLERTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fullerton, NE 6.5
ISANTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niobrara, NE 6.5
JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 6.5
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney, NE 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Elementary School

What grades does Southern Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Southern Elementary School?

Southern Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Elementary School rank in NE?

Southern Elementary School is ranked #434 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Southern Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Southern Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Elementary School has 32.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southern Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Southern Elementary School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Gage County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTHERN SCHOOL DISTRICT 1
District Enrollment
374
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,485
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

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