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
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Data not available for this school
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Southern Elementary School — Students at Southern Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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: 7.5/10.
How Southern Elementary School Compares
See how Southern Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (402) 645-3359
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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