Average
#407 of 966 schools in NE
Top 42% in state
Sterling Elementary School
Elementary School · STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
250 MAIN ST PO BOX 39, Sterling, NE 68443
Enrollment
143
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
143
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sterling
#1 of 2
public schools
Nebraska elementary schools
#239 of 530
In district
#1 of 2
STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Sterling Elementary School
Sterling Elementary School is a regular public elementary school nestled in the rural community of Sterling, Nebraska. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school maintains an enrollment of 143 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. This ensures that each child receives individualized attention and support.
Sterling Elementary boasts 11 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a nurturing educational environment. The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 5.0 out of 10, placing it at the 41st percentile among Nebraska's schools. With an academic score of 4.6/10, Sterling Elementary has room for growth in both ELA and math proficiency rates, which currently stand at around 48% each.
While there is no specific neighborhood data available, Sterling Elementary sits comfortably within a close-knit rural setting where the community values education and supports its young learners as they grow and develop.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 143 students, Sterling 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.
Located in a rural area, Sterling 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
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Sterling Elementary School — Students at Sterling Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Sterling Elementary School Compares
See how Sterling Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
250 MAIN ST PO BOX 39, Sterling, NE 68443
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sterling Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. JOHNSON CO CENTRAL EL-TECUMSEH (rated 9.3/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Tecumseh), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORRIS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Firth), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, JOHNSON CO CENTRAL ELEM-COOK (rated 7.1/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Cook), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| STERLING HIGH SCHOOL Sterling | 0.0 mi | 5.6 |
| FREEMAN HIGH SCHOOL Adams | 7.2 mi | 7.8 |
| FREEMAN ELEMENTARY-ADAMS Adams | 7.2 mi | 7.0 |
| JOHNSON CO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Tecumseh | 11.5 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ANDREW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tecumseh | 11.5 mi | — |
| JOHNSON CO CENTRAL EL-TECUMSEH Tecumseh | 11.5 mi | 9.3 |
| LEWISTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lewiston | 15.1 mi | 5.4 |
| LEWISTON HIGH SCHOOL Lewiston | 15.1 mi | 5.0 |
| JOHNSON CO CENTRAL MIDDLE SCH Cook | 11.8 mi | 8.1 |
| JOHNSON CO CENTRAL ELEM-COOK Cook | 11.8 mi | 7.1 |
| JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL AT PALMYRA Palmyra | 16.9 mi | 6.6 |
| PALMYRA MIDDLE SCHOOL Palmyra | 16.9 mi | 3.6 |
| ELEMENTARY AT BENNET Bennet | 16.9 mi | 6.8 |
| NORRIS HIGH SCHOOL Firth | 15.2 mi | 4.1 |
| NORRIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Firth | 15.3 mi | 4.5 |
| ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE Syracuse | 17.1 mi | 6.9 |
| NORRIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Firth | 15.3 mi | 5.2 |
| NORRIS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Firth | 15.5 mi | 7.6 |
| MIDDLE SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE Syracuse | 17.5 mi | 8.1 |
| HIGH SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE Syracuse | 17.5 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 68443 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,250
Median Home Value
$181,500
Median Rent
$779/mo
Population
1,146
College Educated
28.3%
Homeownership
79.6%
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sterling Elementary School has a median household income of $71,250. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,500, with a median rent of $779/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ATKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Atkinson, NE | 6.7 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bellevue, NE | 6.7 |
| MC DAID ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Platte, NE | 6.7 |
| NEWMAN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newman Grove, NE | 6.7 |
| ST AGNES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Scottsbluff, NE | 6.7 |
| ST MARYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL O'Neill, NE | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sterling Elementary School
What grades does Sterling Elementary School serve?
Sterling Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Sterling Elementary School?
Sterling Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 143 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sterling Elementary School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sterling Elementary School rank in NE?
Sterling Elementary School is ranked #407 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Sterling Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sterling Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Sterling Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling Elementary School has 47.8% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sterling Elementary School a charter school?
No, Sterling Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sterling Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Sterling Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sterling Elementary School?
39.9% of students at Sterling 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 143
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Johnson County
- Phone
- (402) 866-4761
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 224
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,973
- 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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