Average
#468 of 966 schools in NE
Top 48% in state
Walnut Middle School
Middle School · GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1600 N CUSTER AVE, Grand Island, NE 68803
Enrollment
789
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
789
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Island
#5 of 22
public schools
Nebraska middle schools
#51 of 133
In district
#3 of 19
GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Walnut Middle School
Walnut Middle School serves students in grades 6 through 8 in Grand Island, Nebraska, with an enrollment of 789 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, with 63 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. As a regular public middle school, it's part of the broader educational landscape in this small city community.
Academically, Walnut Middle School is working to strengthen student performance. Currently, 27 percent of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 29 percent meet proficiency standards in math. The school ranks in the 39th percentile among Nebraska schools and holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.8 out of 10, indicating there is significant room for academic growth and improvement.
These scores suggest the school would benefit from targeted support and intervention in core subjects. The school is located at 1600 N Custer Avenue in Grand Island, a small city setting that serves families throughout Hall County. For parents considering Walnut Middle School, understanding current performance levels is an important part of making an informed educational decision for their children.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Walnut Middle 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Walnut Middle School — Students at Walnut Middle School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Walnut Middle School Compares
See how Walnut Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 33% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 26% (2022).
Location
1600 N CUSTER AVE, Grand Island, NE 68803
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walnut Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. WESTRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BARR MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grand Island, see our Grand Island schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| CENTRAL CATHOLIC MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| WEST LAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| GRAND ISLAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Grand Island | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| KNICKREHM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| GATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| WASMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| WESTRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| ENGLEMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| STOLLEY PARK ELEM SCHOOL Grand Island | 2.5 mi | 3.0 |
| STARR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 2.5 mi | 3.1 |
| SHOEMAKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 2.2 mi | 4.4 |
| DODGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Island | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| BARR MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| EARLY LEARNING CENTER Grand Island | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 68803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,040
Median Home Value
$224,100
Median Rent
$888/mo
Population
25,620
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
15.6 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
41
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walnut Middle School has a median household income of $70,040. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,100, with a median rent of $888/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. 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 MIDDLE SCHOOL North Platte, NE | 6.3 |
| BLUFFS MIDDLE SCHOOL Scottsbluff, NE | 6.3 |
| ELKHORN MIDDLE SCHOOL Elkhorn, NE | 6.3 |
| BEADLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha, NE | 6.6 |
| LA VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL La Vista, NE | 6.6 |
| PAPILLION MIDDLE SCHOOL Papillion, NE | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walnut Middle School
What grades does Walnut Middle School serve?
Walnut Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Walnut Middle School?
Walnut Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 789 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walnut Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Walnut Middle School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walnut Middle School rank in NE?
Walnut Middle School is ranked #468 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Walnut Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walnut Middle School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Walnut Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walnut Middle School has 29.3% math proficiency and 26.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walnut Middle School a charter school?
No, Walnut Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walnut Middle School a Title I school?
No, Walnut Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walnut Middle School?
81.4% of students at Walnut Middle 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,140/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Island). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 789
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Hall County
- Phone
- (308) 385-5990
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 10,070
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,267
- District Rank
- #3 of 19
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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