Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#142 of 143 private schools in NE

Zion Lutheran School

Elementary School

520 E MAIN ST, Pierce, NE 68767

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NE statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

98

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Nebraska elementary schools

#99 of 100

About Zion Lutheran School

Zion Lutheran School is a small rural school located on East Main Street in Pierce, Nebraska. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 98 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranking as the 135th out of 143 schools in Nebraska, Zion Lutheran School focuses on nurturing a close-knit community where students receive individualized attention and care.

The school's remote rural setting offers a unique environment that encourages strong bonds between families, teachers, and students. While academic performance data is not available, the tight-knit community supports each student’s development through personalized learning experiences. Zion Lutheran School thrives in its small-town charm, fostering a warm and supportive atmosphere for all its members.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 98 students, Zion Lutheran 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.

As a private school, Zion Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Zion Lutheran 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Zion Lutheran School compares to the 2 public schools in Pierce, NE

Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
This School
vs
14.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
98
This School
vs
338
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
3.9
This School
vs
5.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 98% vs 0%
Zion Lutheran School Pierce Public Avg

All Schools in Pierce

School Rating
Zion Lutheran School (this school) 3.9
PIERCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4.6
PIERCE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL 7.3

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NE.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C- 2.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 16.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.3 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,241
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 4%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 98
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NE

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 98.0%
Two or More 2.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

520 E MAIN ST, Pierce, NE 68767

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Zion Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OSMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Osmond), which scores notably higher. Another option is WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Norfolk), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BEL AIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Norfolk), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pierce, see our Pierce schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
PIERCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pierce 0.6 mi 4.6
PIERCE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Pierce 1.0 mi 7.3
LUTHERAN HIGH NORTHEAST Norfolk 10.2 mi 7.7
BEL AIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Norfolk 11.6 mi 7.8
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Osmond 11.8 mi 5.6
LITTLE PANTHERS PRESCHOOL Norfolk 12.0 mi 5.4
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Norfolk 11.9 mi 5.7
NORFOLK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Norfolk 12.2 mi 6.9
OSMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Osmond 12.3 mi 8.9
OSMOND HIGH SCHOOL Osmond 12.3 mi 8.0
NORFOLK CATHOLIC ELEM. Norfolk 12.3 mi 6.8
NORFOLK MIDDLE SCHOOL Norfolk 12.0 mi 5.9
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Norfolk 12.5 mi 8.7
NORFOLK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Norfolk 12.2 mi 5.3
GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Norfolk 12.7 mi 3.6
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hadar 12.5 mi
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Norfolk 12.7 mi 3.8
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Norfolk 13.0 mi 3.4
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Norfolk 13.1 mi 5.3
NORFOLK JR HIGH SCHOOL Norfolk 13.1 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68767 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,878

Median Home Value

$214,600

Median Rent

$869/mo

Population

3,389

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

79.5%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

39.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Zion Lutheran School has a median household income of $77,878. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,600, with a median rent of $869/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
ANSLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ansley, NE 3.9
ELBA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elba, NE 3.9
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT EUSTIS Eustis, NE 3.9
WHEELER CENTRAL ELEMENTARY #45 Bartlett, NE 4.0
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 4.1
WYNOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wynot, NE 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Zion Lutheran School

What grades does Zion Lutheran School serve?

Zion Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Zion Lutheran School?

Zion Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 98 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School?

The student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Zion Lutheran School rank in NE?

Zion Lutheran School is ranked #142 out of 143 private schools in NE.

What is Zion Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?

Zion Lutheran School has a composite rating of 3.9 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.

Is Zion Lutheran School a private school?

Yes, Zion Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Zion Lutheran School a religious school?

Zion Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (276/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pierce). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
98
Gender Split
44% M / 56% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
School Day
7.3 hours
Days Per Year
170 days
Setting
Remote Rural
County
PIERCE
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.