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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,014

Sterling High School — Students at Sterling High School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.6/10
33th percentile in NE
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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