Average
#648 of 966 schools in NE
Sterling High School
High School · STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
250 MAIN ST PO BOX 39, Sterling, NE 68443
Enrollment
81
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
81
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sterling
#2 of 2
public schools
Nebraska high schools
#204 of 263
In district
#2 of 2
STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Sterling High School
Sterling High School, nestled in the rural community of Sterling, Nebraska, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of just 81 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, the school offers personalized attention to each learner. The dedicated faculty, consisting of nine full-time equivalent teachers, works closely with students to ensure they receive the support needed for academic success.
Sterling High School’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.1 out of 10 and it ranks at number 757 out of 974 schools in Nebraska, placing it around the 22nd percentile statewide. Academically, students perform slightly above average in math with 54% reaching proficiency or higher, while in ELA/Reading, 44% are proficient or better. These scores suggest that there is room for academic growth and improvement within the school.
Sterling High School’s rural setting provides a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and students have strong connections both inside and outside the classroom. The school is an integral part of Sterling, offering its students a supportive environment to grow and thrive in their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 81 students, Sterling High 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Sterling High 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.
Located in a rural area, Sterling High 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 High School — Students at Sterling High 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
33.3%
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: 1.9/10.
How Sterling High School Compares
See how Sterling High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
250 MAIN ST PO BOX 39, Sterling, NE 68443
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sterling High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HIGH SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE (rated 7.9/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Syracuse), which scores notably higher. Another option is FREEMAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Adams), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL AT PALMYRA (rated 6.6/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Palmyra), 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 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sterling | 0.0 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL Allen, NE | 5.5 |
| ANSELMO-MERNA HIGH SCHOOL Merna, NE | 5.5 |
| SHICKLEY HIGH SCHOOL Shickley, NE | 5.5 |
| GILTNER HIGH SCHOOL Giltner, NE | 5.7 |
| STAPLETON HIGH SCHOOL Stapleton, NE | 5.4 |
| CAMBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Cambridge, NE | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sterling High School
What grades does Sterling High School serve?
Sterling High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Sterling High School?
Sterling High School has an enrollment of approximately 81 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sterling High School is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sterling High School rank in NE?
Sterling High School is ranked #648 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Sterling High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sterling High School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Sterling High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling High School has 54.5% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sterling High School a charter school?
No, Sterling High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sterling High School a Title I school?
No, Sterling High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sterling High School?
33.3% of students at Sterling High 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
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 81
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.3%
- 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
- #2 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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